Foothills QAL - Gooseberry Pie

Here’s an update on MaryElizabeth Kinch’s Foothills quilt sew-a-long. Mary Elizabeth was so right when she said we can learn a lot about this quilt. Even though I changed the size of the blocks and the color scheme, I had fully intended to make each block in the same value as the original. Well, you can guess what happened. After 5 or six blocks I threw caution to the wind (actually, I lost the black and white photo) and simply grabbed fabrics and cut, cut, cut, stitch, stitch, stitch and before I knew it I had made 27 blocks. (I know there are only 25 in the quilt, but we had a few mishaps – my next “orphan quilt” box is filling up!)

I stuck to my original plan of “not” adding the obvious mistake in block #2. I decided instead to let it happen naturally and voila! (lesson #1!)

-wrong-

 -right-

I think these geese were afraid to get caught in the pie so they flew the wrong way. Anyway, I like it so I am leaving it! 

I learned to be (somewhat) patient while trying to choose the backings for these little gems. And thus, something wonderful happened. While searching the net for photos of the gooseberry plant, I came across this little gem - a layer cake by Kansas Troubles called "Gooseberry Lane". I think they call this kismet! (lesson #2)

I learned about spacial relationships. I laid out all my blocks leaving a 1/2" space of red between them so I could see what they would look like when they were all bound and stitched together (think, potholder method). 

I wasn't sure I liked this so I set them further apart to emulate the original wide sashing. I'd have to add a 1" finished red strip around each one (before quilting and binding) to make it look more like the original. 

Hmm... I really like both settings, so now what? After a lot of contemplation, I decided I should really honor the original make by at least conforming to that nice wide sashing. I was just about to cut the little red strips when it dawned on me that a layer cake is 10" - my blocks finish 8 1/2" with binding so if I added an inch of width to each side (lesson #3 measure twice, cut once). So skinny red wins out.

Here is the first block, quilted and bound. 

Back 

So, what else did I learn? I learned that I definitely like this color scheme. When surrounded by fabulous 19th century fabrics I always gravitate toward the brights. By pairing the bright and colorful reds, purples and yellows with the warm browns I really felt it had earned its name! Can you smell pie?

Mary Elizabeth now has a Foothills QAL Facebook page (here). There are lots of wonderful renditions. People are really getting creative with their colors. And do visit her blog (Mary Elizabeth Kinch) to see her amazing blocks. Her color scheme is sensational.