My first finish of the year is my "Liberty Bird" sew-a-long 2025 with Barbara Brackman on her Civil War blog. Although it is done in the potholder method, this one is a bit different in that I chose the same fabrics for the back of each block. It was due to pure laziness on my part. At the time I quilted my first block, I just didn't have the gumption to pick different fabrics for each one. I plan to donate this to the auction at the American Quilts Study Group (AQSG) at the end of the summer. Barbara and I are both long term members of AQSG so the combination of her design and my assembly usually brings a good amount for the coffers. Thanks Barbara for another great sew-a-long! Since it is my first finish for 2026, I've decided to call it "Love Thy Neighbor". This quote has meant more to me in the past year than any other.
I also finished this top last week. A few year ago I bought a table cover at my favorite junk store with 4 of these fabulous fruit bouquets on it. The label on the back said "made in Czechoslovakia" and I'm guessing it is from around 1890.
I auditioned a few fabrics for the setting fabric and decided on the neutral.
I decided to keep the quilt simple. The inner border was from a fabric that my friend Karen had given me. Then I just pulled colors from the bouquet and made a simple "squares" border. I liked it more than I thought so it is now in the "hand quilting" queue. It will likely be my first finish of 2027! 😏
Last weekend our Kaleidoscope Quilt group had a quiltathon dedicated to making quilts for veterans. I finished this little top but decided it might be too small so I'm going to dd a border of this Cadet blue. I rarely get much done at our quiltathons. Too much yacking and eating, but I was determined to finish this one and get it out to one of our quilting angels.
Love thy Neighbor is just beautiful Wendy!! The Czech piece turned out so well--the little sqs borders are just perfect.
ReplyDeleteYour little quote is so perfect for these disturbing times...
hugs, Julierose
Thanks, we need to do something to bring us all back together.
DeleteWhile your Liberty Bird finish is wonderful, I am totally smitten with your Czechoslovakian fruit bouquet top! Like you, I try to follow the live, love and give locally philosophy, every year. How comforting the peace it brings to the soul.
ReplyDeleteIndeed my friend!
DeleteWhat lovely quilts! Always interesting to read about the background and inspiration for the choices. A Happy and Healthy New Year to you.
ReplyDeleteAnd the same to you!
Deletethat fruit print piece is perfectly beautiful....exactly right fabrics...and i love your little birds too...idyllic photo of your home....we got about an inch overnite...
ReplyDeleteThanks Grace! We seem to be getting a little snow every night. Just enough to make you want to stay off the roads and in the sewing room. Works for me!
DeleteThis is lovely and a great find from the junk store! This is an amazing piece you created! I just love it! Great veteran quilt as well! PS--The tablecloth isn't from the date you gave. I just remembered Czechoslavakia was created after World War 1 (1918). But again, who really cares, it is a beautiful piece!!!
ReplyDeleteYou re so right! The fabrics just look 1890 to me but of course the date doesn't work with the label. I at least knew it was after 1993 when it became Czechia. LOL. My sister lived in Prague for a few years so I should have done a little more research!
DeleteI applaud your generosity in donating “Love Thy Neighbor” and the sentiment too! I’m looking forward to making something with the fruit panel you generously gave to me and hope it is as good as yours!
ReplyDeleteI know you will do something fantastic with it!
DeleteWhat a great sew along. I love the birds. Your fabric choices are just wonderful as usual. The corner pieces are sweet! Great title.
ReplyDeleteYour medallion quilt is just beautiful. The perfect treatment for the special piece of fabric.
How generous of your group to make QOV quilt. You can never go wrong with a four patch!
lovely snow photo of your home.
xo
We do make a lot of donation quilts in my group. I just try to keep up!!
DeleteLove that fruit center so much! You brought out that vibrant color with your border treatment. Love the applique quilt too!! It's so important right now to love one another! Great quilt title! Stay warm!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lori!
DeleteSent here from Gladi's blog to see the fruit center of your quilt, I fell in love with many of your quilts and other creations. Thank you for posting and writing such lovely things!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great praise!
ReplyDelete