Impulse Project and Sewing Room progress

     For quite some time, I have been following the Facebook page of the Antique Textiles Company in London.  Christopher Wilson-Tate collects and shares photos of some amazing old quilts.   This graphic pickle dish/wedding ring like quilt kept popping up in the background and occasionally took front stage. I couldn't stop looking at it!   The website can be found here.

Christopher Wilson-Tate and the wonderful quilt!  Photo used with permission. 

     The Facebook discussion made it clear that the line of folks wanting to purchase this quilt was long, indeed!  Even if I could purchase an antique quilt, this one wasn't going to be available.

     What to do?  Well, try to make one, of course!  Christopher graciously allowed me to share some of his photos of the quilt, which he says was made in the United States in 1904.  The dark fabric is a dark blue indigo print, with that wonderful cheddar and white.  I just love it!

Photo used with permission

Close up of the quilt.  Photo used with permission 

    I was in the process of ordering up some Kona Tiger Lily (the 2018 Kona color of the year) for another project, and decided to add in some Papaya (which seems to be the orange I'd like), as well as a solid navy to add to my already abundant stash of Kona white.   I found a pickle dish pattern in one of my Kaffe Fassett books (Quilt Romance, 2009) which will give a somewhat different look to this quilt.   The striped part will be more prominent, but I think it will be a very satisfying project.   I also found a free pattern here from AQS blog, and may make up a sample of each before deciding.   I'll keep you posted.

     I was primed to get going as soon as the fabric arrived, but now there is a snag.  I am working on creating a sewing space in one of the bedrooms, and made great progress getting things cleaned out, switching a twin bed for the double that was there, and getting rid of an extra dresser.  I've got my list for things to make a design wall (this weekend?), and the new craft table, which I use for cutting, and for pinning quilts, was delivered and assembled by my trusty quilt holder husband!   The big step was moving the sewing machine up to the room.    Years ago, I had purchased an Arrow cabinet to keep my Bernina in the living room, but to be able to close it up for parties, etc.   I removed the Bernina, emptied the drawers, and got ready to move it up.  I was so excited!

       It turns out, that cabinet is heavy!  So heavy that the two of us can't pick it up and carry it up a flight of stairs!   So, all sewing has halted until we figure out how to get it upstairs.  I am hopeful that it might happen today!  Fingers crossed!

Take care,
Gretchen 

     I received a question about the Kona Papaya I bought to be the "cheddar" in that quilt.  I chose that by using my Kona Color card (with the little 1 inch scrap) and holding it up to the computer!   When I got the fabric, it seemed more yellow and considerably lighter to me sitting on the ironing board than I had expected,  but I then held up a bigger piece of the fabric to the computer, and the match seems okay.   I folded the fabric to account for the backlight on the computer.  I have four yards of this, so I'll be using it!  I'll keep you posted!