Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Snow Day - Sew Day

I want to know if you like snow,
Do you like it, yes or no?
Do you like it in your face?
Yes, I like it anyplace!
(from one of my grandson’s favorite books,  “Snow” by Roy McKee & P.D. Eastman)

Boy did it snow and boy did I sew! Because of the blizzard conditions, it was pointless to shovel until the wind and snow had stopped (24” in 24 hours!). So, of course I had time to sew.

I had enough time to finally finish my “Pot Luck” potholder quilt.

Front

Back 

One of the great things about the potholder method is that the back can be as much fun as the front. I used different cheater prints (known as "printed patchwork in the 19th century) on the back and I love the results.


I have posted (here) about how I put these potholder blocks together. But I wanted to share a few things I forgot to mention. First, I did talk about the fact that if I am going to use one of my potholder quilts rather than just hanging on a wall, I secure my stitches every inch of so. But, what I forgot to mention is that I also wax my thread. 
This keeps the thread from raveling or breaking as I am stitching and “sets” the threads neatly and securely.

One very important factor is that your binding corners need to be very accurate and pointed. 

This is especially important when going around corners as in the case of a few of the connecting seams in this quilt. If your corners are perfectly “pointed” they will fit snuggly together at the intersection.


The biggest challenge in the whole process was getting the half square triangle blocks to come together neatly. By some miracle I aced both on the first try. 


This quilt has been a joy from start to finish. Even though there is quite a bit of hand quilting in this, I have learned that I CAN machine quilt as long as it is no more than 24” square! I have no patience for jamming a large quilt through my machine and since I don’t see a longarm anywhere in my future, I will continue to enjoy my potholder method.



I would like to leave you with a small tribute. Renowned artist Dahlov Ipcar died peacefully at the age of 99. She was indeed a treasure to our town, our state and the world. 

She and her husband Adolph bought a farm here in Georgetown and were an important part of our community for the rest of their lives. Although she was famous for her painting as well as a few wonderful soft sculptures, Dahlov made only one quilt in her life. Years ago, while looking at some of my quilts, she told me that I was the real artist. That is a compliment I will never forget. We will miss you Dahlov!

24 comments:

  1. Artists use all different mediums so you are definitely the artist of your Potholder Sampler. What a treasure and work of art! The back is as charming as the front with the cheater patchwork. Sorry you had so much snow, but I'm glad it gave you the chance to finish this beauty!

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    1. Thanks Kyle. I actually do enjoy snow - most of the time. But, looks like we will be getting more tomorrow. Where to put it?

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  2. I enjoy seeing your completed quilt. I love both sides!
    Sorry for the loss of this lovely lady.

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  3. Stunning--and mind blowing, Wendy!! This is such an amazing quilt!
    I always used to wax my thread when demonstrating hand piecing as a re-enactor at a local historical center. I just recently started doing it again at home. It makes a big difference, I agree.
    Dahlov was right--you ARE an artist!

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    1. Thanks Janet. I forgot to mention that I learned from a childhood neighbor that you should never borrow beeswax, it is bad luck. So one day my mother needed some and Mrs. Richards said she would need a penny for it. Had you ever heard that superstition?

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  4. I am so in awe of your quilt--this is definitely something I want to do. I know I'm going to spend some time re-reading some of your blogs so I can see the start to finish of the quilt and learn more about the technique. Great Job! The quilt is absolutely beautiful. Stay Warm.

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    1. Thanks Rose. It is such a fun (and historic) way to make a quilt.

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  5. Oh Wendy. I'm so sorry for your weather but you certainly did make great use of the time! Your quilt is just spectacular. Your friend was absolutely correct. You ARE an artist. I'm so sorry about her death--sounds like she was an amazing woman who had a wonderful impact on others!
    I'm curious about your quilt, though--why don't the front and back match up? I'm assuming you used cheater cloth for the backs for each block you stitched; but I am at a loss to understand why the front and back aren't the same/lining up?

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    1. Randy, that is so funny because I said the same thing when I saw it hanging. Then I realized I had to look at it from left to right (mirror image) and voila! Great minds think alike I guess.

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  6. beautiful quilt wendy but no miracles needed as you are a real pro!

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  7. Your quilt is amazing! You are a talented artist, like your friend. Sorry for your loss and the loss for your community. I need to go look again at that stunning quilt. :)

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  8. Congratulations on an awesome finish Wendy! Clever how the red bindings form sashings in the quilt. I'm amazed how many wonderful cheater prints you found for the back - love the idea too.

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  9. Congratulations, Wendy, this is a wonderful finish! The potholder method really makes all your orphans so special, each with their own frame. Love it!

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  10. I am quite impressed with your potholder quilt. And thank you for the tips.
    How about boxing up some of that snow and sending it to Florida? I would like to make a snowman.

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  11. Wendy, Happy Valentine's Day, and congratulations on finishing your potholder quilt! It turned out beautifully, and the binding looks perfect. Best wishes, from Marina and Daryl Lynn

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  12. Wendy, your quilt is a masterpiece! Love the way all the blocks fit together. The cheater prints on the back are wonderful. You now have a beautiful reversible quilt!

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  13. I am GOBSMACKED about your new quilt. I love every single thing about it. Thanks for the additional information about its construction. Oh how I want to see it in person! Hopefully at Vermont???
    Lovely tribute to your artist friend. Sounds like she admired you too!

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  14. p.s. I love PD Eastman - his Go Dog Go is one of my favorites.

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  15. Your Potholder Sampler Quilt is BEYOND AMAZING!
    My heart skips a beat just looking at it!
    Congratulations on the completion of this very special one of a kind quilt!

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  16. Wendy, just WOW! It is an amazing quilt and I'm with Barb in hoping to see it in Vermont. It just looks endlessly interesting, front and back. What a treasure of an artist you have lost in Dahlov - but her work endures and what an inspiration you both are. I came across this nice tribute: https://www.theguardian.com/books/gallery/2017/feb/14/dahlov-ipcars-seven-decades-in-childrens-books-in-pictures?CMP=fb_a-culture_b-gdnculture

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