Friday, July 29, 2011

Batik Stars – wish this one was mine


made by Ilsa Johnson


click on photo for a closer view



I told you I’d milk these Quilters Unlimited Show quilts! These batiks were first used as clothing. Note the blue thread with which Ilsa hand quilted this beauty.








I’m slowly making progress on my projects. The heat really slowed me down earlier in the week. Yes, we have AC, but spend a lot of time outside with our son’s swim team. Tomorrow is the last meet; followed by awards night. It hit 103 degrees this afternoon (same temp as last Friday) and tomorrow is forecasted to be in the cool lower 90’s. Seriously, we had 3-4 days of 100 or close to and when the temps dropped to 93 it felt pleasant.

Quilty wise, here is what I’ve been up to-

This is the last of the hexagon flowers. I have about a third of the 63 flowers appliquéd to their background, another third pinned to the background and a third are waiting for me to cut more background squares. I think I said in a previous post the end of this project is in sight – well… I’m not so sure about that, but I have made a lot of progress in the past couple of months. It helps having it sitting on the dining room table – all ready for me to stitch when I have a few minutes.

Here is the start of the backing for my Half Square Triangle (hst) quilt. The zigzag measures about 12” across. I swear I thought the background of those two light fabrics were the same color. I knew the vines were blue on one and green on the other. It wasn’t until I stitched them together and was pressing that I realized the blue has a lighter background than the green. Oh, well! It does feel good to use these two fabrics. I've had them for over 10 years and have been waiting for the right project. I used the pink version in this quilt. I love this delicate print, but there isn't a name on the selvage - must be really old! I typically don’t name my quilts, but I think this one will be “Concord, Cranston and Peter Pan” – named after the companies that produced much of the fabric in the quilt. Are those companies still in existence?




August is almost here. Where does the time go? Hope your weekend includes a little stitching!

10 comments:

  1. Ilsa's quilt is really special! It has a wonderful look with all the different stars, I love it!! Your hexies are coming along nicely! is that your garden? it's just lovely!!!

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  2. The star quilt is a beauty. I love the idea of doing the quilting in a blue thread. With all the work that goes into hand-quilting, why not spotlight the stitches more? Great idea. And your hexagon flowers are so cute. It sounds like you're making great progress on them.

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  3. Ilsa's quilt and the quilting are both beautiful.
    You really have done a lot on your hexie's. I've been working on mine over 10 years and I don't think I am that near a finish. : )
    Concord, Cranston and Peter Pan fabrics were the brands that were in the chain fabric stores (House of Fabrics, JoAnn, etc.) when I began quilting years ago. I still have some on my shelves.

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  4. Thanks for those gorgeous pictures of the batik stars and the wonderful hexagons! It makes me want to put up mine again....... ;))
    You have a wonderful blog! I enjoyed looking threw all your posts!
    Enjoy your weekend!

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  5. I wish it was mine too...stunning! What method do you use to make your individual hexie units? Do you use a precut template and if so, who do you get them from? Can you tell I am planning a hexie project.

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  6. Beautiful stars Maureen, and they sparkle beautifully made with batiks. Glad to see that the horrible heat hasn't stifled all your sewing time. We will be swapping weather soon, we will slowly move toward the warmth and you the cold. And so starts another cycle. Keep cool.

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  7. Stay cool and have fun!!
    I love your newest project and think the name is so cute.

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  8. Thanks for the close up of the quilting. Always interesting, and a decision that usually stumos me.
    You are busy - with fabulous projects.
    Keep cool!!

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  9. I love the star quilt!
    I hope the weather cools off for you soon! I melt if it gets over 80!!
    Love your hexies. They are a great project to pick up when you only have a short amount of time to stitch.

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  10. That blue quilting thread is so refreshing!
    Nice quilt - thanks for sharing it with us.
    Your hexies look fun!

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