Friday, January 29, 2010

Welcome

Tonya here. Welcome to the Lazy Gal Liberated Amish 2010 Get Together Blog.


The theme is Liberated Amish. What is that you ask? Well, we're taking our inspiration from Liberated Quiltmaking (including letters) and from Amish quilts.

To be more specific, in this class (or should I call it a challenge?) we will:

1. Each pick an Amish quilt from the Faith and Stephen Brown collection to be our starting point. You can pick one from their website or get ahold of the book Amish Abstractions (buy, borrow, or get it from your library - interlibrary loan is a wonderful thing). Whichever quilt you want - it's okay if everybody picks the same thing or nobody does.

2. Use solid fabrics (generously interpreted - hand-dyes, mottled batiks, blenders, marbles....)

3. Make the quilt liberated.

You can use any of the methods Gwen Marston showed in her Liberated Quiltmaking books (Liberated Quiltmaking, Liberated Quiltmaking II, and/or Liberated String Quilts) or come up with your own method of liberation. (You know how I feel about these books - they make my heart sing. Read them if you haven't, please)

Just as a note, some of the quilts in Amish Abstractions are already liberated to begin with - you don't have to make them even crazier.

4. Throw in some liberated letters or numbers somewhere on the front of the quilt. You can do this however you choose, for instance incorporating letters into the blocks themselves (or the center of a medallion) or put your name and date in the border.

The goal is to complete the top by the end of June. It can be any size you want.

Helpful links are in the sidebar.


There will be no set instruction. I'm not going to tell you what to make. But you will hopefully get lots of encouragement and any needed assistance from me or any of the other participants. I love figuring out different ways to make a quilt, that's part of the fun. So if you get stuck at any point, just ask.

You don't have to have a blog but you will need a Blogger account to make posts on this blog. To participate, leave a comment on this post if you have your address set up to show OR send me an email (tartbr47 at hotmail dot com) if you are a no-reply or don't have a Blogger account.

I need the email address to send you your invitation to join. (If you don't already have a Blogger account, you will be prompted to create one. I repeat, you don't have to have a blog, or a blog on Blogger, just the account).

Once you've gotten the invitation to join, hop on in and write a post introducing yourself. Please put a label on your post with your name. See how this one says Tonya? It also helps if you indicate who's writing the post at the very beginning of it.

Any questions? Just ask.

73 comments:

Sharon said...

I'm going to give this a whirl. Since it can be a small project, I think the time line will work for me and I have a stack of hand dyes that have been in my sewing room for over 2 years and it's time to cut them up.

beth said...

i'd love to join up with you on this one!

Clare said...

Je suis la :-)

Kathy said...

This would be a real good excuse to buy myself the book so I am in!

Tonya Ricucci said...

uh oh, I don't know how long it should take for me to get these comments in my mail. If you don't hear from me, do please send me an email, just in case there was a problem.

Victoria Findlay Wolfe said...

i can probably whip something up, count me in!

Kristin Shields said...

I'm in, of course!

Wendy said...

Count me in.

Rene' said...

I would love to participate. Count me in.

Jewel said...

OH wierd I thought I commented... well... as I thought I said... I would love to join. Please count me in.

jmb_craftypickle said...

I have missed our sewing together... please add me!! I am going to go check out the quilts.

laura said...

Just found a long lost box of solids right before Tonya came up with this wonderful idea. Box was marked "Bear Fur" and since I had reached my quota of 2 stuffed bears, mistaknely thought I could make better stuffies than Wal-Mart, I didn't open it for 15 years. It's aged like fine wine on my shelves and ready to be made into a wonkey Amish creation.

Anonymous said...

I'd love to join in also please.

~Erin

qltmom9 said...

This is GREAT!
I'm in.
I'm looking forward to all the inspiration I know will be coming!

Lucy (in IN)

Diane said...

Ooooh I want in too. I will send an official email too.

Diane in NYC

Kim said...

This looks like a great time Tonya,
I'd love to join in!
I was so convinced I was gonna win
Amish Abstractions from your blog!

thanks and Happy Sewing

Sharon said...

I'd love to join the fun. Please can I play along with y'all?

woolywoman said...

I'm in! Can't wait to start.

Kathy in FL said...

Count me in, too. I'm ready for the challenge!

Nat Palaskas said...

Tonya, please count me in. I'm excited and will order th Amish Abstractions as soon as I get off from here. Thanks Ton - Hugs Natima

Bonnie said...

I will try anything. Count me in. I do find the phrase liberated Amish very amusing, Since the Amish are the least liberated group I know of. They lead such strict, rule-filled lives. They would probably fall out of their chairs at the thought. We are the grateful recepients of their old quilts which they do not place any value on. Thank heavens, with modern dyes we can achieve the intense colors without using the wools often used in these quilts.
Bonnie Bus--a midwesterner with an interest in Amish life.

Heidi said...

I'd like to play here too :-)
Heidi

Sara said...

OK. I've been working so hard on UFOs, I need something NEW to work on as a breather.

Please, can I play with you?

Sara Homeyer

Susan Ward said...

I would lov to join the blog:)
Waggle Dance - was this your quilt?
Susan Ward

YankeeQuilter said...

I think I can fit a small-ish quilt in...sounds fun!

Janet said...

Hi Tonya
I would love to join this challenge. I already have the new Gwen Marston book on your recommendation and will be buying the amish book too. I have been working on my first liberated quilt - called Liberated Stripes made fom hand dyed fabrics.

Michele said...

I would love to participate. I've always loved Amish quilts. And I would love to hand quilt my interpretation.

sophie said...

If there's still room, I'd like to join and make a quilt based on the 1920's nine-patch from the Midwest.

Anonymous said...

Please count me in, Tonya.
When I first started quilting in the early 80's, Amish was big....then solids became taboo.....so glad they're back.
My nieces love their wonky names on the border of their quilts.

kwilta said...

Definitely Tonya include me in. Have always loved the Amish quilts and now Liberated - cant wait to get going.

Susan said...

I'd like to join too. I've been very diligent in finishing some ufo's, but it's time to return to normal, ie starting something new.

Cheryl said...

Hi Tonya,
Count me in! It sounds like a lot of fun and just what's needed to get through winter.
Thanks, Cheryl

Bonnie said...

I would love to join in on this! Please let me know if it's too late or if you need any other info.

Thank you for hosting.

Brenda said...

sign me up too! I was just playing with solids at my retreat and I want to do more. Brenda @scrapsandstrings.blogspot.com

Marit said...

I would love to join! Seeing those pretty quilts from the collection on their website was very tempting...
; )

comicbooklady said...

I hope it is not too late, I would like to join...some of you moving fast, I hope I can keep up!

June D said...

I'd like to join too! I'm doing a monthly liberated block challenge - but it would be nice to do a complete project this year too! I hope I can keep up with all of you!

Karen said...

Ah -- do we need to follow the coloring on the quilt we pick?

Jewel said...

Hi Karen,

Tonya says she isn't much for rules. I think as long as it is Amish coloring and inspired by the Amish quilts mentioned it is perfectly fine. I know mine won't be exactly the same colors :)

Have fun!

Tonya Ricucci said...

Actually it doesn't even have to be Amish coloring if you don't want. Solids and solidish is the only "requirement" there and even then if you really need to throw a print in, that's fine too. you can take your inspiration from the whole quilt, the pattern, the color scheme, just one color or part of the quilt. very loose interpretation/inspiration is great.

Anonymous said...

Gotcha on the coloring. I'm still thinking .........
Karen

roberta said...

Hi from Italy!!! I love your idea, please count me in. I just ordered Gwen's new book (I treasure her first) , i love Amish quilts and i have many fat eights of oakshot fabric bought this summer at the Festival of quilts in Birmingham , so count me in!!!
Roberta

Rosebud said...

I am ready to join. I have LQII, love Amish and Gwen. And a huge pile of solids from when I took a class with Gwen last year. Tonya - this is a great idea. Lyn aka Rosebud

Anonymous said...

Just started to collect solids and I love Gwen's work, count me in too.

Jewel said...

Rosebud/Lyn You have your email set to no reply. Can you please read this post to find out how to fix that: http://lazygallibamish2010.blogspot.com/2010/01/fixing-no-reply-and-request-for-blogger.html

Alternately could you please email me so that I may invite yo to be an author on the blog.

jewelsarmcandy at gmail dot com

Thank you!

Library Gal Quilts said...

Dear Tonya, This is just the project I have been needing! I would love to join and share my need for all things Amish, Gwen and the women of Gee's Bend. I am a big fan of Cherrywood Fabrics...hand dyed cotton...that is what I will be using! Count me in xo Pam in Chico

Lynley said...

I'd love to join too - I left a comment an hour or two ago but something crashed, I apologise if this comes through twice!

Quiltefia said...

Can I still join?? This project is perfect for some fabric I dyed some time ago!! AnneK:-)
quiltefia@gmail.com

wishes, true and kind said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
wishes, true and kind said...

Hi! Found you via Marit's blog. I'd love to join if it's still open.

Ati said...

Hi, I found you on quiltefia's blog. Can I still join? It would be nice to use up a part of my quiltfabrics.
I made an Amish quilt in the past and handquilted it. I don't promish to hand quilt my future quilt because of some arthitis in my hands. Wait for your reaction :)

Yvonne said...

I would love to join in if it's not too late.

Rosalyn Manesse said...

Please count me in! It sounds like fun and I want to try it.

Kathleen C said...

Please sign me up! I'll use whatever solid/"solid-ish" fabrics that I have on hand, for a small quilt.
Thanks very much,
Kathleen C.
villagequilter@gmail.com

SubeeSews said...

I am a late joiner, but please count me in too. My book came today and I read it aloud to hubby while we were snacking. It is a lovely book and I am ready to get LIBERATED!
Subee
smohr227@comcast.net

mazie jane said...

All the inspiration is too much...I have to join...don't I!

#57 is speaking to me.

janet

mazie jane said...

forgot to leave the email.
janet@frogbutt.net

mazie jane said...

Some dear wrote to say they were sending me an invite...it never arrived...not even in the SPAM bucket.

Please sir, may I have another...

janet@frogbutt.net

Linda said...

I love a creative challenge!!!

Please add me to your list.
Linda from Lansing

Kuhlquilter@sbcglobal.net

blog - kuhlquilter.blogspot.com

Thank you

Lurline said...

Hi Tonya,
Hope I'm not too late - Natima sent me - I have just bought the book 2 of Gwen's and am thrilled with it - I have posted about it just late yesterday!
It sounds like a great incentive to join in and will encourage me to pursue the quest for freedom in quiltmaking,lol!
I am Lurline and my blog is http://lurlineg.blogspot.com/ - I would love to hear from you.
Many thanks and best wishes - Hugs - Lurline♥

Ulla said...

Count me in.

What a great project.
Ulla

Natalie Carlton said...

IF its not to late i would LOVE to join! I have been dyeing fabrics just for a amish quilt.. it will be fun to share. thanks Natalie

Andra Gayle said...

This sounds like great fun! I would like to give it a try!

Chris Daly said...

Hi Tonya, Is it too late to join? I'd love to play! Chris

debbi d-w said...

I think this challenge and I were made for each other - I'd love to hop in!

manuela said...

Hi, Tonya
Am I very much too late? Could I still join, pretty please?

Chris said...

Amish and Liberated in the same quilt? Who could say no? Sign me up, please! :)

Jewel said...

Hi Chris... I tried to send you an invitation but you have your no-reply on. I need your email address. If you could please send it to me I can get you added in.

Thanks!

jewelsarmcandy at gmail dot com

musline said...

Whoohoo...just joined..this is my first time blogging and I will try and post pictures this weekend..love love love your quilt in progress

Nancy said...

If it's not too late I would love to join this challenge.. I just bought a bunch of solid fabrics and this would be a good way to use them.

Caron said...

Late to join, but this is a perfect fit for me! I have loads of solid scraps left from my ongoing project. Liberated is a great term - better than crazy rule breaking quilter...

Sujata Shah said...

I really need to do this! Count me in . I don't know how quickly I will turn in anything but it sounds like so much fun!

Millie said...

I love Amish quilts. Amish and Liberated, please count me in! I love to break rules and enjoy doing my own thing.