Monday, October 6, 2008

Calico Garden

Do you watch Dancing with the Stars?

I do.... I L-O-V-E watching this show.

Usually, I don't watch a whole lot of TV, but when I do, I like to have some kinds of handwork on hands to work on. Well, I could hand piece those Dear Jane blocks that I haven't worked on forever ... which, incidentally, I am wayyyy behind than the rest of the DJ group.

Likewise, there is another project that I haven't touched forever.... my Calico Garden quilt. I am in the process of hand quilting this crib sized quilt. My goal at the beginning of the year was to finish this quilt, and here we are.... it's October.... I'm still not done. :-(

The pattern came from this book.... Enduring Grace, Quilts from the Shelburne Museum Collection. Calico Garden was made by Florence Peto in 1952.


My CG quilt top is hand appliqued and hand pieced. The appliqued blocks are tiny, 3" finished. The nine patches also finished at 3".

The quilt was started in October 2004; it took me a whole year to complete the top (see below). Then, it took me almost another year to work up the nerves to get it basted and started the quilting.

Unfortunately, I hurt my hand shortly after that, and the quilt ended up on the shelf.

I am determined to get this quilt done ... hopefully, by the end of this year or beginning of next year. Please do feel free to cheer me on, I think I need it. lol





By the way, I should mentioned that there is A LOT of quilting that goes on in this quilt. I have quilted around each appliques and the broderie persed swags. There are still the 1/2" cross hatchings in the background and 9-patches to do.
But.... OY VEY.... there are way too many seams to quilt through.

While watching Dancing With the Stars tonight, I quilted through 5 nine-patches. I'm looking forward to tomorrow night Result show and getting a few more patches done. :-)

This photo was taken after the top is done... no quilting on it yet.

5 comments:

Amanda said...

I love to watch Strictly Come Dancing (the original British show) - we even have a daily half-hour update so there's something every day! I always like to have some hand sewing too, either my DJ blocks or some stitchery or quilting. Your crib quilt is going to look gorgeous, such an intricate little quilt, it's not surprising it took you so long to make. Quilting it is going to be a real challenge but I reckon you're well on your way now.

Mrs. Goodneedle said...

Your CG quilt is stunning, so-- I take it that you're HAND quilting it... good for you! I have trouble watching TV and doing handwork simultaneously, I stab myself or lose my place! Ha!! Can you believe that Cloris Leachman is 82? I give her a LOT of credit.

scraphappy said...

Wow, what an amazing quilt. Well worthy of the effort required for handquilting. It will be a lovely family heirloom when you get it finished.

Julie said...

I have this book too! Your top is beautiful. I will help to encourage you as much as I can.
I too started DJ and made 60 something blocks and stopped. I really need to get back on that.

Coleen said...

That quilt is beautiful. It will be a stunner when it's finished! KEEP GOING, YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!

I'll cheer you on. Keep us posted on your progress.