Most of the blocks in this quilt were purchased on ebay, and I made an additional 20 blocks to complete the top. The fabrics are all vintage 1930s dress percales in typical colors and floral prints. The neatest thing about this quilt, in my opinion, is the careful fussy cutting on many of the floral prints (some of which are pretty large). I loathe to fussy cut vintage fabric because there is so much waste involved. I love the technique, though, and am always pleased to purchase fussy cut blocks or pieces.
Of course, I took all the blocks apart — soaked, starched, re-cut and re-stitched — replacing the dingy muslin with a new fabric. I kept her blocks intact with the same prints and solids that she used. I think she did a fabulous job with the colors, and I tried to match her blocks as much as possible when making my own.
Cactus Basket Quilt Top
Martha Dellasega Gray, 2005
machine pieced
75″ x 75″ (without border)
Today I worked on the border for this top. I thought this would be a great pattern, since it mimics the diamond pieces in the blocks, but now I’m not sure because I think it might be too busy. What do you think?
After hearing some of the comments, I decided to try and show how the whole top would look with the border (with and without the extra solid border). Please excuse how primitive this looks (my poor Photoshop skills). Now that I see it like this, I definitely like the addition of the solid border — I might just add the solid border and a floral binding and forget about the pieced border.
Okay….now I get it. Ann at Nifty Needle just sent me a photo with her idea for a border and I love it! So….this is the final plan for the top — THANKS, ANN!!
Wow! That is a STUNNING quilt! I agree that the fussy cutting adds allot of interest. Each basket is fun to look at for its secondary pattern. Your patience continues to astound me!
I like the border, but am having a hard time imagining it all the way around. I’m wondering if you just need to add a narrow plain border between the quilt and this border to separate them. In my mind that would take away any busy-ness.
Martha, that is a beautiful top! The fussy cutting makes it extra interesting to look at! I think you should trust your instincts about the border. You have such a good sense of what looks good in a quilt. I always have to see the finished effect to decide.
This is an amazing quilt top! So beautiful fabrics!
I, too, avoid fussy cutting because of the waste, but on the other hand like the look of it.
I agree with Ann, the border is great, but maybe a solid inner border would work very good to separate it a bit.
Wow, you really have beautiful quilts in your collection!
Thanks Ann, Jan and Steffi — I added two crudely Photoshopped versions of the top so you could get a better idea of how it would look.
What a lovely quilt top Martha!
I think the solid border sets off the blocks better. But, I do like the other border, just not as well.
Maybe a small border in a solid then the piecded border. I do like the pieced border. It just seems to need to need space like the second photo from photo shop. Either way I really like the quilt top. The fussy cutting is a great addition.
Oh yes! The last picture is exactly what I had in mind, too. (only that in my mind the solid border was blue) 😉
It´s your top and your decision, but I would do it that way. LOVE the pieced border!
oh Martha another beautiful quilt.
I really like the pieced border, worth the effort in mho
fussy cutting is worth it in mho
Kathie
What a fantastic quilt and the fussy cutting is so cute!!
I love the pieced border so I’m glad you kept it.
Oh Martha! You’ve done it again..a spectacular looking quilt. I can’t tell your added blocks from the originals, so you did a great job of matching the other quilter’s style. I love the sweet dress prints.
When I look at the pics..I would have chosen the top one but with a white border after the pieced one (I love that pieced border, by the way), but I really like the last pic too. I know whatever you do..it’s going to be fabulous..you have a gift for making things look just right!
A beautiful quilt. Baskets are my favorite, right after stars. lol
The small yellow border with the pieced border looks great, as your quilts always do.
I love this topd – and yes, the yellow really makes it sing.
Gosh, it’s beautiful, what a lovely job you’ve made of it. I agree, it needs the solid borders as well as the pretty patterned one.
what a beauty! congrats and I love the yellow borders.
That is a beauty – and I’m just amazed the extent you went to to preserve and improve upon those original blocks. I like the border you settled on, too.
Another gorgeous quilt – amazing – I like the final pic the best. You’ve done another marvelous rescue!
Martha, the flower baskets are amazing! The fussy cut details are quite stunning… I was just sitting and admiring each little basket 🙂
Love it!! Is there a particular pattern you used for the baskets? I would love to make one like this. Kay
Do you have a pattern for this? I would like to make this quilt. Thanks.
Could wee please get the pattern for this?
I received a quilt like yours from my grandmother when I got married in 1970. I am interested in making one just like it for each of my four grandchildren, but I have been unable to find a pattern for this particular Square block. The patterns I have been able to find the two center pedals are at an awkward angle and are not the same size as the two and pedals. Of course I could make the block from my own quilt, but if you have a pattern free or for sale that would save me a lot of work. Thank you for the favor of a reply, and any information you can provide. Kathy from Pittsburgh PA
The post I am commenting on is 10 yrs old at this point but I can’t not try to connect with all of you. I live in California and have four of my grandmother’s handmade quilts from Arkansas. Ma Janie was a prolific quilter, maker of feather beds and many more amazing things. One of the quilts is this star basket quilt, made starting with half of a LeMoyne star which has four diamonds with all sides equal to each other making the flower symmetrical. My quilt is set on an angle so the basket is somewhat angled. The finished square is close to 9 inches, but each square is a little off as they were done in flour sacks with templates, not perfect. I think the variation of this block came later and was called cactus flower basket from what I have found in researching it. My grandmother was born in 1886, married in 1906 and had her last child in 1926. I am guessing my quilt was pieced in the 1930’s because of the fabric and her life in those years. I had it hand-quilted by someone in Arkansas that was taught to quilt by my grandmother. Ma Janie is my link to my patriot in the Revolutionary War, and my link to my first great-grandfather in Plymouth, Mass that arrived as a 10 yr-old stowaway in 1626 on the Anne or the Mayflower. You all can tell that I am proud of heritage, family history and treasure my four quilts. I hope this website is operational and that some of you know this Star Basket Quilt.
My grandma made me a quilt for my bed and I have looked high and low for the pattern. Grandma made her baskets dark green and the top part was pieced all different patterns. I loved it so much and her too, so this is on my list to do next. Thanks for sharing!! Barn kolterman