9-Patch and Snowball #2
When I read Ann Champion’s post about her scrappy Antique One Patch, I told her I would take it apart and remake it. It reminded me of a quilt top I purchased that was very similar — 1 1/2″ squares with the same types of fabrics (indigo, shirting, homespun, mourning), random placement and rather crude construction. The big difference was that mine had a lot more red in it and fewer of the lighter fabrics. I wish I had a photo of the original top, but I have managed to misplace that flashcard.
I decided to take my own advice and cut that baby up — and I did cut it as opposed to picking it apart, because it was machine sewn with those tiny stitches that destroy the fabric and are practically impossible to remove. Once again, I soaked, starched, re-drew and cut the pieces in preparation for their new pattern. The top was so large that I have enough patches left to make another quilt.
I wanted to do another 9-patch and Snowball because, although I love my original scrappy version, I have always been a little disappointed that I set it on point. At the time, I thought putting blocks on point always made them more interesting, and it wasn’t until the top was completely finished that I realized all the Snowball blocks were lined up horizontally and vertically. When the pattern is set straight, the Snowball blocks are offset, which I think looks better. I added the outside row to complete the star-like look of the Snowball triangles.
The maker of my One Patch quilt top used lots of some fabrics and not so much of others. If you look closely, you can probably tell that I had to make quite a few fabric substitutions. The double-pink in the Snowball blocks is from a different antique quilt top, and the off-white is a vintage muslin sheet. This quilt is smallish because I wanted some throws to put in our family room. We try to keep the heat down in the winter, and it suddenly seemed stupid to me that we were using fleece throws when there is a perfectly good quilter living here.
9-Patch and Snowball Quilt Top
Martha Dellasega Gray, 2010
machine pieced
60″ x 66″
Quilts
Embroidery
Family-Made
Vintage Finds
Vintage Fabric
Children's Books
Work in Progress
Other Needlework
Random Things
Ann Champion wrote,
Oh Martha…your quilt is gorgeous!!! I just love it. It has to be a million times better than the wonky original? I think I just drooled a little?
Link | July 29th, 2010 at 4:54 pm
Nancy Lee wrote,
This is my favorite quilt… so simple yet so dynamic..
Link | July 29th, 2010 at 5:29 pm
Kate wrote,
Martha – beautiful, just beautiful. I love the way two simple patterns become something else entirely when combined.
Link | July 29th, 2010 at 5:48 pm
Kate wrote,
PS…I love your seven sisters quilt too!
Link | July 29th, 2010 at 5:48 pm
Allie wrote,
This is so gorgeous – and yes, shame on you for using fleece throws, lol! I do like it set this way better than on point. It’s stunning!
Link | July 29th, 2010 at 7:14 pm
Alice wrote,
Dear Martha,
I would never have thought of a pattern like this for those fabrics. I like the way the pink runs behind the blocks and how it forms the star.
I really don’t mind the scrappy quilt set on a point.
Link | July 29th, 2010 at 9:29 pm
Chris Jurd wrote,
Love it Martha. Is this another e-bay find? If so you are so lucky to grab them.
I do like the scrappy version too.
Link | July 30th, 2010 at 12:48 am
kathie wrote,
every time I see one of your quilts made from antique fabrics, makes me want to go on ebay and start buying any old tops I can cheap just to take them apart and make quilts
this is a beauty, you KNOW I love nine patches so this one is very special to me.
beautiful
Kathie
Link | July 30th, 2010 at 2:51 am
LoriD wrote,
You did an awesome job at remaking this!! It’s a real beauty and will be fun to use in the winter.
Link | July 30th, 2010 at 6:04 am
Meredith wrote,
The snow ball block is such a helpful multipurpose block. The top looks great. and with all the open spaces in the white part of the snow ball this quilt top has room for some fantastic quilting.
Link | July 30th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
Wanetha wrote,
I have an antique quilt – “Applecore” that was made by my great-grandmother and great-aunt. (probaby in the 30′s or 40′s) It was in such bad shape (the cotton batting was all balled up) that I took it apart thinking that I would remake it. Well, it was all hand sewn, but with something that must have been sack string, so I stopped the process, and have just been “thinking” about it. Your REMAKES inspire me….to get off my duff and get busy.
Link | July 30th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
pratima wrote,
Wow Martha, another stunner! What a lovely idea to use double pink in the corners. The effect is awesome!! Have a great weekend!
Link | July 30th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
Karen wrote,
A good finish. The Snowball blocks set between the nine patches is something I should have done when I made some Sister’s Choice blocks. I would have had a similar look and not had to worry about points when setting the blocks together.
Link | July 30th, 2010 at 5:32 pm
Ann wrote,
This is another FANTASTIC quilt top Martha! I agree with those who have commented before me about the effectiveness of the pink triangles in the corners of the snowball block. That was a great color choice. It really does make the nine patch blocks float like lattice work over a white background.
If you were to line up all the quilt tops you have pieced end to end, how far do you think they would reach? You and Gordon snuggling up with fleece? That’s crazy talk!
Link | July 30th, 2010 at 8:26 pm
barb wrote,
Oooh, I love your snow ball. The colors are wonderful and the pink triangles are just perfect to set off the other colors – what a great quilt!
thanks for sharing it with us!
Link | July 31st, 2010 at 7:32 am
Kris S wrote,
Love it, love it. The colors are perfect and so is your remake. Well done.
Link | July 31st, 2010 at 11:35 am
Mindy/Minka wrote,
Martha,
You are so good at putting new life into old quilts! Your work is very creative!
Link | July 31st, 2010 at 2:00 pm
Barbara wrote,
Sighing as usual over those lovely fabrics. I worked on removing an unfinished tied quilt top from its backing (and regrettably plaid-blanket filling) while watching Mad Men last night and felt almost Martha-esque.
Link | August 2nd, 2010 at 8:26 pm