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″
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? 😉
This is my favorite quilt… so simple yet so dynamic..
Martha – beautiful, just beautiful. I love the way two simple patterns become something else entirely when combined.
PS…I love your seven sisters quilt too!
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!
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.
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.
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
You did an awesome job at remaking this!! It’s a real beauty and will be fun to use in the winter.
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.
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.
Wow Martha, another stunner! What a lovely idea to use double pink in the corners. The effect is awesome!! Have a great weekend!
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.
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! 🙂
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!
Love it, love it. The colors are perfect and so is your remake. Well done.
Martha,
You are so good at putting new life into old quilts! Your work is very creative!
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.