My friend, Steffi (Steffi’s Candy Quilts), and I are starting a quilt-a-long to make this amazing vintage Grandmother’s Flower Garden quilt that Steffi found on nebraskahistory.org. Steffi, who lives in Germany, is making her quilt with new fabrics, and I am making mine with vintage fabrics. Of course, we want to extend an invitation to anyone else who might like to participate. We are planning on going fairly slow (maybe one star or two flowers a week) since we are both working on hand quilting projects over the fall and winter.
A while back I was asked if I had trouble cutting into vintage fabric. Usually the answer is no — the pieces I work with are normally pretty small, and I try to waste as little as possible. The flower blocks in this quilt will be made from vintage quilt pieces previously cut for a Flower Garden quilt by an anonymous quilter, but the star sections are more problematic. Because the edge of the star requires 36 hexagons cut from the same fabric, I have to cut into larger vintage remnants which does actually bother me for some reason. It seems silly (what am I saving them for, if not for a project like this), and I am trying to get past it.
Here are my first two stars, which measure about 19″ at their widest. My quilt is definitely going to be more pastel than the original because of the particular lot of 1930s pieces I am using.
Lastly, I wanted to show Steffi that I have adopted her pressing technique. I have never used this technique for only 3 joins, but I like it a lot and the seams are nice and flat.
That will be an amazing reproduction! Your blocks are really wonderful!!
That is going to be a stunning quilt! I always press seams like that — it really does make the block lie much flatter.
Martha, you have a fabulous eye for color! Those stars are gorgeous! I can’t wait to see more!
That is an amazing quilt – I’ve never seen anything like it. You always have the best stuff here, Martha! Your star blocks are just stunning.
Oh wow, Martha! Two finished stars, and such beautiful ones! I have not started yet, I´m still waiting for my yellow fabric for the flower centers. But I´ll try to catch up with you soon! 😉
I have the same problem when I have to cut into a limited amount of fabric. I always try to tell myself that it´s much better to have the fabric in a beautiful quilt than in the dark closet where nobody can see it. But sometimes it´s hard.
You never cease to amaze me, this is going to be wonderful!!!!!!!
This is so gorgeous I am tempted to try. (But only tempted, I think … I’ll live vicariously through your blog!)
Wow, that is a stunning quilt! Your stars are wonderful! It’ll be a treat to see more of your blocks in the coming days.
Hi Martha,
I love your hexagon quilts! I’m wondering what size your hexagon is? I have some flowers started and might look towards converting some of them to this project. Thanks for the inspiration!!
Pam
Wowza! I love this quilt. I have some hexagons that I have started. I’ll have to think about whether they would look good in this pattern. Your work makes me want to go out and buy as many old fabric pieces as I can find. They always look so tempting when you put them together.
Does Steffi have her pressing technique on her site? I love how neat the stitching looks…
Hello, great site – was wondering if you have finished up the MJ Cunning catalogue. I have the JF Ingalls one (that John Governale posted on the web), plus several others and have been loving your posting on MJ Cunning. Cheers, Louise
I love how your first two star blocks turned out. The color combos are fun and the workmanship is exquisite. I’ve heard it can be tricky to get the stitches not to show on the front. Any tips?
I just love this quilt! I understand the hesitation to cut into larger pieces of treasured fabric..but using it in this stunner seems like the perfect use? 🙂
So wonderful now my mom wants one just like it!! Thank you for sharing your beautiful quilts!!
This is just stunning! You must be so pleased. I was hoping you could post a or email the pattern you used to make this georgeous quilt? I have been able to find one that includes the stars.
Thank you!
Shannon
Love the quilt and your stars. How large are your hexies on one side? 1/2″?
I couldn’t believe it when I stumbled across this blog post. This quilt is very similar to a 10 year project I’m working on. I’d love to see your progress!
Cheers, Elly
Oooooh, I am so glad I found this. I decided to start making hexies when Inneeded some hand work for travel and visiting my dad. I am going to jump in from the beginning. I made my first 6 hexies last night. Now I know what I will do with them. I have built a stash of these over the years and I’m ready.