4/16/2007

Corny Top


Here's the Depression Era Challenge top. Put the Civil War era corn print on the front as you see; not a single one of my feedsack prints or vintage solids looked right and I like how this one looks with the blocks. My story is that the 30s lady who made this (evidently for her little girl or boy to play with since it measures 17x25" so far) had some 1860s fabric in her scrap bag and figured that after 70-some years it was about time to use it already. Or maybe it was part of an old (old) dress! Any opinions on how it should be completed? Maybe a narrowish string border next or maybe nothing more, just the binding? I'd like to do the string inner border but that might detract from the plant tops. Maybe a muslin border with a simple applique vine but I hesitate even to go there since I have so many things to finish. Oh, maybe an isosceles triangle scrappy inner border but then again this is supposed to be all about strings. I have some small-scale pink gingham that looks pretty with it, maybe that...

15 comments:

Patti said...

Marvelous! That print is perfect with the block - and I love your reasoning! No idea as to the finishing however - sorry about that. Eager to see what you come up with!

Michele Bilyeu said...

I love all of your ideas,Karen. But I have to admit, my choice would be for the narrow strings. To me that would complement the period feeling, yet not overwhelm or detract. It's lovely, in any case..I haven't seen anything quite like this and I find it charming!

Anonymous said...

Love it! That's a great block!

Darlene said...

What a great looking project! I love it! I love everything you do!

Quilts And Pieces said...

oooo - I love it! How to finish, ummm, that is a tough one. I"m not sure I have an idea...

meggie said...

I love it! I am sure you will come up with the perfect finish.

Jenni said...

It looks fine to me - whatever works I say.

Ila K. said...

Maybe plow a narrow green furrow around your cornfield, then a strippy outside border? It's turning out really neat!

YankeeQuilter said...

I love the idea of mixing your repros...I wouldn't go to far on the border. Maybe just a couple of narrow borders of mixed strips. Love the way it is coming along!

Kim said...

I like the string border idea. I'd try a strip of that and see what it looks like. I think applique might pull the eye away from the flowers. It just seems to me the strings would compliment the center and pull your eye to those fabrics, wherever they may be in the quilt.

Anonymous said...

Splendid ! I love it ! You did a GREAT job, as usual ! Thanks for showing !

Hugs & smiles,
NADINE

atet said...

Too bad I can't think of a way to represent soy beans to go with your corn field -- or at least, that's what we've got around here.

The block is great -- and it actually does remind me of corn, oddly enough! (not like I don't see enough of it in the summer -- but still)

Helen said...

Looks great!

Jeanne said...

Terrific Show & Tell pictures. Thanks for sharing.

Malagueta said...

Fantastic setting fabric. It looks like a field of wheat! Corn in a wheatfield . . . clearly why agriculture has never been my calling. A mixed reproduction farm :)