Been there, saw that, (almost got the t-shirt) bought the book

Okay it is true I wasn't going to buy the book... but I had to... after seeing the quilts I just had to have something tangible to remember them by. I know the workers must have thought I was a loon because each time I saw one of the quilts that one of us is using as inspiration I grinned like a loon...

All I can say is "WOW"... they are so amazing in person. The ropes were only about 2 feet from the walls so I could stick my nose right up to them and check out every stitch. I was so surprised to see that they made quilts out of silk, wool, synthetics, velvet, and cotton. I took so many notes. I will share a few here.

First for Sharon who asked "Report back on thread colors if you can! What did they hand quilt with? black, brown, did they change colors on different parts?" I only saw one quilt that had changed colors on different parts it was #97 the threads matched the fabrics. One or two had white quilting most notably #21 . All of the rest that I saw had black thread on all of the colors.

For Sara who asked "Check the quilting on #93 for me, will you?" The triangle center portion is quilted about an inch apart in straight lines only horizontally. The border which is fairly wide and black was quilted with a cable design (I think that is what it is called...looks like a braid sort of with three channels) .

Diane when I came around the corner and saw the Crazy Star I couldn't stop grinning thinking of your post. The top and bottom of the center has row of crazy pieced blocks that are approximately half the height of the rest of the blocks and wider than the others. It looks like they might have foundation pieced it in some way the centers are like wonky log cabins that have been set side ways (not on  point) with the long triangles on the sides to make them square if that makes sense... I know you can tell from the pic but it was neat to see it up close and personal.

The one that awed me the most was this #42 this picture doesn't do it justice... those log cabins are about 3" square and it is really big... bed sized... each of the log cabins has a center square of silk and they just sparkle and shine in the light. The color is off too it is a mauvey color and the light furrows are more like a light teal. Most of the centers are jewel tones or light colors which doesn't show in this picture either. I am in love with that quilt.

The one that I want to make a personal version of is #89 ...in person it took my breath away. It is so bright and has so much spark...

I could go on and on.

King Tut was cool... but only a few pieces from his tomb were there the rest were from other places... the ones from his tomb were amazing though.

Gonna see 'em in person...

Hi Everyone,

I really wasn't going to talk about this until I got back, but I thought it would be nice to let you all give me some suggestions as to what you would like to know about the quilts.... oh oops... I am going, tomorrow, to see the Amish Abstractions exhibit at the DeYoung museum in San Francisco. I live so close it would be stupid not to go, King Tut is there too so I get a two-fer :) If there are any specific ones that you have a question about and it is one of the ones there I would be happy to take as close a look as possible and let you know. I am going to take a notebook with me because I want to take notes on the quilts so I don't forget what I saw :) Let me know.

I have no progress to share on my quilt yet, I have been doing some sewing for my other hobby (asian ball jointed dolls) I had a commission to finish and a baby quilt to make and finish before the 16th of March so all of my time has been taken up with that. I get to work more on my Amish quilt next week, hopefully!

Test #2

ummmm... I think I am a little obsessed. I decided to make a couple more batik blocks. I am still trying to figure out what technique I like best.  I think I have the way  to do the strips. I used that on the second block (the one on the right in this picture). The other way was a little too straight and was actually more work. Come on solids get here already!

My first test Hole in the Barn Door blocks...

I made these both at the same time. I think I  have cut the corner triangles a bit too small... but it was the first time I tried this so I am not too worried about it. I am thinking I might trim them down much smaller and make a bunch of different sized batik ones for a quilt.

I am still waiting for my solids to get here.  I am getting excited about it.

I finally picked it...

Well... after a lot of deliberating. I finally opened LQ II for inspiration and there was the answer staring me in the face. GM's version of the Shoo Fly is one of my favorites in the book and that is the reason I chose this (Hole In The Barn Door) quilt which is similar. It will be so fun to Liberatedly (is that a word) piece this quilt. I chose a lot of the same colors (on their way to me as we speak) and a few that are a little, hmmm, more liberal shall we say. Tonight after dinner and after my husband comes home from his business trip (he was supposed to be home Thursday but... have you heard about the ice storm in OKC?) I am going to make a "Practice" block with some of my batik fabric. I have a feeling I might be making it twice one in Amish colors and one in batik... weeee.

Hi from Jewel

Hi it is Jewel from California,

I looked through the quilts and I can't decide... it will be one of these: 1, 54, 57, 81 or 82... I love them all. First thing I have to do is buy fabric, darn ;) I have batiks but I really want to get some solids so here is my chance. I mean, it is a hardship having to buy fabric, not. Other than a Wonky Log Cabin quilt I haven't done much liberated quilting. So I am hoping I am not too boring for you all. Hehe