Serving up Another Batch

Although I am enjoying this quilt beyond measure, there are two things that I would have changed had I knew how great the response to my request would be. One, I would have started this back in March when I had 6 weeks of free sewing time to work on it, and two, I would have asked for 6” or 8” blocks instead of 10” so I wouldn’t need a forklift to hang this puppy up! The one thing about a potholder quilt is that it is often much heavier than one that is conventionally made. There are nearly 3 extra yards in this because of the individual bindings so you can see how it can pack on the pounds.

Here is the next batch:

We’ve had a Churn Dash explosion! It is hard to beat a Churn Dash so I am happy to see 3 of them in this community quilt. I know Barb (Fun with Barb) did a block swap a while ago so I suspect she inspired many of these. Thanks Barb!

Cecile Denis, Vendome, France. (Patchwork Inspirations) If you look up “sweet” in the dictionary, you will see a picture of Cecile’s face! She is always so upbeat and positive. I love participating in her sew-a-long each Spring. And, despite my excessive “stash”, I have never seen the green print in this adorable little Churn Dash block (and matching label!). I added a border that looked like antique French fabric to bring it up to 10”. Thanks Cecile! 

Dorothy (Dotti) Hossler, Stepney, Connecticut. This sweet little Churn Dash was too big for the 5” blocks so I picked up on the purple in the floral print she used and added it as a border. I’ve had that purple print for so long I think this qualifies as vintage. Thanks Dotti! (Oops! I just noticed that I added and “e” to your name when I made your label. I’ll change it tonight!) 

Wendy Tuma, Northfield, Minnesota. (Pieceful Wendy) I added a bit of sashing to this adorable Churn Dash to bring it up to 10”. Wendy’s label is so true, “Quilty Friends are the Best!”. I think her note paper is encouraging as well. We all need to remember that we’ve “goat” this! We will survive. Thanks Wendy! 

LuAnn Krug, Indianapolis, Indiana. (LuAnn’s Loose Threads) LuAnn says: “I’ve honestly lost my quilting mojo through all this so I started doing some counted cross stitch. I have been home since March 11 and am amazed what you can get via curbside pickup.” Yes, LuAnn, I think our world will change in many ways. It will be interesting to see which “brick and mortar” stores can stay afloat when all is over. I am happy that these two blocks came my way. I use the one with the label for the back so yours is truly a two sided block. Thanks LuAnn! 

Pat Dudek, (aka Quilting Babcia), Scio, New York. (Amity Quilter). Who doesn’t love a basket block? I am pleased to see a few coming my way and all of them are different. I love this one. I’m sorry I had to cut the bottom of just a bit to fit the 10” parameter, but it does not detract from its beauty. Thanks Pat! 

Karrin Hurd, Roseville, California. (Karrin's Crazy World) I think anyone who has quilted for a while will recognize 3 of these little blocks as being part of a “Dear Jane” quilt. Karrin added the uneven 9-patch to make it a square. I love the applied one that she didn’t even finish before she decided to do it over. Well, it works for me. I used a "Dear Jane" repro fabric on the back. Thanks Karrin! 

 Beth French, Bowdoin, Maine. Beth said: This basket block was used for Jan Patek quilt-a-long that Attic Heirlooms did a few years ago. I added the kitty.” Beth is one of those fun people that quilters just want to be around. I think you can tell that by her whimsical little kitty in this gorgeous basket. It was an oversize block and I was so sorry to have to cut off the bottom of the basket in order to save the handle. I made sure to keep that kitty intact. Thanks Beth! 

Deborah Wheeler, Olds, Alberta, Canada. Uneven 9-patch (aka Puss in the Corner) is such a great block. Deborah made this one even better by putting in on point. I added the little bit of red to bring it up to 10”. Deborah’s message is spot on. Be strong, be joyful and be safe! Thanks Deborah! 

Save room for more, the next course is coming soon!

Delicious and No Calories!

It was just one month ago today that I posted a request for orphan blocks for this “Community Supper” creation. We are now 73 quilters “strong”, representing 28 states and 4 countries. Clearly this is going to be far larger than I had originally thought, much like the pandemic itself.

I am finishing all the full 10” blocks first. There are still quite a few to go. After that, if you haven’t seen yours posted yet, it is like that I may have to consider it for the 5” size to accommodate everyone. I hope to have the final layout planned by the end of the week.

Again, I am thrilled by the response from everyone. Your sweet notes of encouragement are heartwarming. I have kept a simple journal of what I work on each day and have a notebook filled with the cards and letters from each of you. Hopefully this will travel with the quilt someday when (and if) it is on display. I don’t know why I am so obsessed with finishing this in such a timely manner since I’m sure it will be a while before we can actually see displayed quilts again in person. Guess I just don’t want to lose momentum. I need to work while the spirit is still with us all.

Here are the recent finishes:

Anna Bullard, Wells, Maine. Anna didn’t give me a name for this block, but I would call it “Symphony in Blue”. Such beautiful blues and it was a joy to quilt. I love straight uncomplicated quilting lines. Thanks Anna! 

Janet Olsen, Logan, Utah. (Rogue Quilter) Those who follow Janet’s blog would agree that she should be called, “The Queen of the Mini Quilt”. She amazes me with those tiny pieces and with such precision! This block is a medley of tiny orphans from some of her fabulous patriotic mini quilts. Even her label is pieced and it fits the back perfectly. Thanks Janet! 

Rebecca Schnekenburger, Delta Junction, Alaska. Rebecca says: “I’ve been trying to focus on my many blessings during this pandemic, so my sentiment is, See the Beauty”. She started BarbaraBrackman’s Yankee Diary sew-a-long and she stopped after making the first 2 blocks. I for one am glad you did Rebecca as they are a perfect addition to this Community Supper. I combined the two blocks to form this 10” gem. Your applique is stunning! I thought the eagle was a fitting backing to carry out the “Liberty” theme. Let’s hope we are all “free” of this dreaded virus soon. Thanks Rebecca! 

Becky Stephenson, Fairfield, Texas. Becky must be a kindred spirit because she says she is obsessed with making small (doll) quilts too! Becky sent this charming block. Scrapy and happy – right up my ally. Thanks Becky! 

She also sent one from her sister, Jerrianne Evans from Clear Lake, Texas. When I saw that bonnet come out of the envelope, I gasped, “Oh no Sunbonnet Sue!” (poor Sue has a bad rap!), but when I saw that it was Sunbonnet Kitty I laughed out loud! Don’t you love it? Absolutely adorable. Thanks Jerrianne! 

And these are the last 4 of my “Seven Sistahs” group (I’ve already posted Suzie Karen and Tina)

Kathy Boudreau, Gardiner, Maine. Kathy and I have been quilting together since 1986! She is one of the most creative quilters I know. In fact, she had her own pattern business for many years. You can still find some of her patterns (Katrinka Designs) on eBay and other online sites. They are all wonderful! We also share a love of vintage sci-fi movies and tv shows. She thought these looked like Quarantined Creatures from outer space! Thanks Kathy! 

Charlotte Kaplan, Woolwich, Maine. Charlotte’s block has a very funny story behind it. The 7 of us have enjoyed a retreat every June for the past 9 or 10 years. At one of our early retreats in Rangeley, she tried to show us the “easy peasy” method of making this block. I’m not sure if it was the late hour or the empty glasses of wine, but she couldn’t make it work and we all laughed ourselves silly! But Charlotte is a determined individual and after we all went to bed, she figured it out and finished the block. Thanks Charlotte! 

Karen Mitman, Whitefield, Maine. Karen took one of my beginner classes back in the late 1980’s and the rest is history. She owned a 200 year old, 11 bedroom inn at the time and was determined to make quilts for each room. Karen is very good at trying (and mastering) new methods. My friend Gladi Porche had and exhibit of her fabulous work at the New England Quilt Museum and gave us a private gallery talk. She explained her bias circle method to us. It went right over my head, but Karen mastered it and made this beauty. Thanks Karen! 

Fotini Eberhard, Bath, Maine. Fotini and I have been neighbors for over 40 years! A little over 10 years ago she decided she might try quilting and voila! Now we have more in common than ever before. This was a leftover from another project and has one of my favorite neons in it! This is the first 5” block I have dared to finish. I want to make sure I have the layout right for all my 10” before I quilt too many more. Thanks Fotini! 

This is going to be a busy week so production may slow down a bit. 

Keep Smiling!

Tasty Morsels

My friend Randy asked me the other day, ”Why aren’t you machine binding all of these?”. It would definitely be faster, but I am enjoying the slow hand stitching on these blocks each night. It gives me time to connect with each quiltmaker as I sew along.

Here is the next installment in the ever evolving, “Community Supper”.

Lori DeJarnatt (HumbleQuilts), Madras, Oregon. So many of you follow Lori, I almost don’t need to say anything about her. She is a passionate, generous and talented quilter and I adore her gorgeous flower block. It is from the Noah and Matilda quilt by Collector with a Needle. You can order the pattern (here). I admire anyone who can machine applique (I really have tried, but have no patience for it). This is truly beautiful. Lori also shares my passion for eagles on quilts so I used one on the back. Thanks Lori! 

Rose Mikuski, Algonquin, Illinois. (Something Rose Made) I started following Rose’s blog when I spotted a feedsack quilt she had made. She is one of the most prolific quilters out there. Take a look at her colorful, happy quilts on her blog (here). I love this block and to my surprise I don’t have one single fabric in it. With the stash I have, that is close to a miracle! Thanks Rose! 

Sally Murray, Topock, Arizona. Sally and I share a passion for 19^th century conversational prints. She has done a lot of research and has a wonderful collection. I am very happy to have this block from Sally with a 21^st century conversational print, which she is calling “Lunch with Wendy” (Wish I could have lunch with you!) I love it! Thanks Sally! 

Dawn Cook-Ronningen, Maple Grove, Minnesota (Collector with a Needle). I have made quilts from Dawn’s (Collector with a Needle) patterns many times and have to say they are the best I have ever used. I can’t wait to get started on their latest, “Fig Leaf and Flowers”. Dawn sent 2 blocks. A tiny appliqued beauty (which I am saving for something just for me! – photo to follow when finished) and this lovely 10” block. The name, “Brave World” comes from a Judy Hopkins block. Very fitting for this project. Thanks Dawn! 

Barbara Schaffer, Wilmington, New York. (Quilts, Gravestones and Elusive Ancestors). I followed Barbara’s blog long before I ever started my own. Barbara’s label expresses it best, “Love getting together with you”. I love the fabric in this star. It reminds of end papers in old books. I chose the back fabric for this block as it is based on a quilt made by the great quilt historian, “Florence Peto”. Barbara wrote the book, “A Passion for Quilts: The Story of Florence Peto 1881 – 1970” which I believe is now out of print but I highly recommend trying to find a copy! Barbara was also published recently in Barbara Brackman’s “Divided Hearts; A Civil War Friendship Quilt”. Read more about it in Barbara’s post (here). Thanks Barbara! 

That’s it for now. Have a great weekend!

Yummy Treats!

Here are the latest finishes in the Community Supper quilt. The hardest part about this project is deciding which one to finish next. I have decided to just pile them up and take the next one as it comes. They are all so wonderful!

Angie Helman, New Orleans, Louisiana. Although we have not yet met in person, I think Angie must always be smiling. Her blog (Quilting on the Crescent) is chock full of color and beautiful quilts. This schoolhouse block is a perfect representation of her wonderful use of color. And don’t you just love her label? That’s the spirit! Thanks Angie! 

Dorothea (Dottie) Koene, Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin. Another Sheboygan Falls block. You must grow quilters out there! This one is a wonderful folded log cabin type and I recognize some of my favorite fabrics from the 1990’s. A perfect orphan Dottie – just what I was looking for! Thanks a million! 

Janet Olmstead, Calgary, Alberta, Canada (Mrs. Sew n’ Sew). Janet said, “I made this block on vacation in Mexico several years ago. I wanted to try backbasting and this was the result. I was going to make it into a potholder for my Mom who loves cherries, but somehow it never got made.” Well Janet, I am sorry for your Mom, but I also love cherries and this is a sensational addition to this quilt. Delicious! I am trying to choose backings that match with the block or the quilter. This one was easy. Janet made a reproduction of this Susan McCord quilt. It is fabulous and you can see it (here). 

Claire Witherspoon, Soquel, California (Cspoonquilt). Claire came to visit me last summer with my friend Randy We had a blast! Claire says “I have literally hundreds of orphan blocks so I had a hard time choosing. I decided to use the old wedding rhyme to guide me. Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.

Something old – the pineapple block came from a foundation piecing class I took at a Sister’s (Oregon) class in 1998! Something new – the brown star block. Something borrowed – I got literally over a hundred thank you blocks from my fellow guild members when I was Quilt Show Chairperson in 2019. I thought this one was really cute.

Those who know me have already figure out that I would choose “something old”. And, to make it more special the fabric Claire provided to add to the border was designed by an old friend from AQSG, Pat Nichols. Don’t worry, the rest of the blocks will go into my next pot luck quilt! Thanks Claire!

Keep Calm and quilt on!