Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Repro Madness

My friend Cyndi (Busy Thimble) and I are in charge of the antiques section of our statewide show “Maine Quilts 2016” this summer. This year’s exhibition is a bit different. We invited quilters to choose a favorite antique quilt and reproduce it in a smaller version. I found this quilt last spring and thought it was so unique.



I think I really chose it because I thought it would be an easy one to reproduce  - ah - NO! First of all I found a fabric that I thought would work for the teal stripe, but it was off in color so I dyed it. Nope, that didn’t work so I bought more and dyed it another color. Closer, but not perfect.



Then I had trouble finding the right fabric for the brown. Seriously, how hard could it be to find a reproduction brown? I finally chose this wonderful print designed by Judy Roche. Again, it isn’t perfect, but I like it and I like Judy, so it is now a win, win.



I wanted the stripe look in the serpentine vine as in the original, 

but when it came to the leaf appliques I found that the pieces were so small that the strip looked odd. So I pieced the fabric in order to have a big enough piece to make an entire leaf in teal.


I backbasted the vine for placement but did my usual semi random placement of the leaf and berry motifs because, well, it was easier!



I realized after taking waaaaay too long to start this project, that maybe I should have chosen something I really loved. Not that I don’t like it, but I should have realized that a two color quilt would be far too bland for me. Thank goodness I have my cheddar background Shenandoah Valley Botanical Album Quilt blocks to work on too!

Cyndi is reproducing a potholder quilt in the collection of the Maine State Museum. She posted some of her blocks (here) .

We will have around 20 antiques along with their smaller versions at the show at the Augusta Civic Center in Augusta, Maine – July 28 – 31. Hope you will stop by and visit if you are in the area. Or, make a special trip, it is always a great show

21 comments:

  1. What a cool antique quilt!! I love that the vine is striped and I didn't notice it until you pointed it out. It is a fantastic color combo I think but I hear you about the need for variety :0) how is the original quilted?

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    1. I will post a picture of the original today to show the quilting. Thanks for asking.

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  2. What an interesting quilt to reproduce. Love the stripe for the serpentine vines. It's so appealing. Looking forward to a great finish!

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  3. You are doing quite well in doing a close to original look with your fabric choices. Love the stripe vine. A very interesting choice of quilt. I thought the main body of the quilt was pieced fabric and not a stripe pieced. I look forward to seeing more of the piece you are working on.

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    1. I'm posting a close up of the original today so you can see the stripe more clearly.

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  4. quite a challenge...look forward to the exhibit!

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  5. What a fun challenge! I'm sure the exhibit will be wonderful.

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  6. What a great quilt! Can sympathize with the tedium of the stitching, but the outcome is going to be wonderful!

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  7. What a great idea for the show. Your quilt is really interesting and I would have thought the same thing that it would be fairly easy to reproduce. I'm sure your persistence will pay off with a visually exciting quilt.

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  8. How beautiful Wendy - love this one and the colours! What size will yours be? Sounds like a great show coming up - wish I could see all the reproductions.

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    1. Hilda, Believe it or not I'm not exactly sure how big it will turn out to be but roughly 36" x 40". The little half square triangles in the border finish to 1" if that helps with the scale. I am posting a close up of the original today.

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  9. That is a wonderful quilt you are recreating--so unique!
    I can see, however, that it has been a challenge. I hope you will love it when you are finished. Sounds like such an interesting display you and Cyndi are putting together. Wish I could be there to see it!

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  10. Fabulous quilt, I'm sure it will be beautiful. The exhibit is a great idea and maybe, just maybe a few of us will make it there.

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    1. I hope so! I was hoping to get to the AQSG seminar this year but might have to wait until NH next year. Surely would love to see you in Maine this year!

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  11. How lovely and restful the original antique quilt is! And in such good condition, too. Thank you for all your great tips and tutorials, especially pressing onto terrycloth.

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  12. that is a very unique quilt and I think you are doing a wonderful job reproducing or replicating it! I hope I can see your show - sounds great.

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  13. What a great idea for a show, yours efforts are paying off.

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  14. Love the quilt!! and all your work! I may have to try to make the trip to visit - the show looks promising!!!

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  15. It's wonderful. You did a great job on it.

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