Quilt Embroidery Inspired by 1940’s and 50’s

The design in this little block of the crazy quilt was inspired by stitching I found on an old pillowcase. I believe that Grandma’s quilt was done in the 1940’s or maybe the 50’s, so I thought I’d give homage to craft stitching from that same time period. 

Here’s where this block started.

That original fabric was just too thin and dry rotten to stitch on top, so I replaced it with something a little heavier than muslin.

Crazy Quilty Update

I’ve enjoyed rehabbing Grandma’s quilt. Mark is always astonished at how much time I spend working on it and I tell him that I could continue on for years. It is really enjoyable embroidering and fixing this.

Here’s one square that shows a lot of improvement. There was so much fabric missing that I replaced the bad pieces with others, reminiscent of the original to repair it. 

 

There are stains on some pieces that are not dry rotten or torn, so I covered those with embroidery.

 I am just too afraid to wash the quilt. I just expect that all that red fabric will bleed over the whole thing.

Crazy Quilty Gifty

 My pal and I adore going to quilt and stitchery shows. The other day we went to the annual Woodlawn Needlework Show in Alexandria. 

As we were leaving and checking out the gift shop, she bought this little crazy quilt needle case without me knowing.

Yesterday, after doing her a favor, she presented me with it. I absolutely adore it!!! I had seen it at the show and had contemplated buying it, but didn't. It makes me so happy and hopefully I can keep track of my needles now!!!

Wednesday Stitching

 

Crazy Quilty and Embroidery

 I've been a quilting fool the last few weeks! I haven't shown photos because they just look so awful. And I mean the quality of the photos. 

The quality of the stitching isn't up to par, but I am okay with it. I'm not entering these into a competition and I don't think my stitching is worse than Grandma's.

I said it before, I am not a perfectionist. The joy of the activity is what I am here for.

There has been a lot of embroidery going on. Some un-embroidery. Lots of patching worn spots. Some replacing of overly stained cloth.

Here are some pictures of where I am at today.

Ken Burns Collects Quilts????

Who knew that Ken Burns collects quilts???????????

Vulnerability Working Overtime on This Crazy Quilt

This exercise, sharing the handwork I am doing on my grandma's quilt, makes me feel vulnerable. This quilt was destined for the dump 30 or so years ago and is more ratty than not. It was likely created as a more utilitarian object than an artistic one, though creative thought was used. Grandma had a color scheme in mind: red, white, and blue. I can see that she considered balance, though probably it was intuitive rather than purposeful.

When I see the photos of my own work on the quilt, I see a hot mess. And the photos themselves? Whew!!!! I should take a class!!! (Will I? Highly unlikely.)

Am I enjoying working on this project? Absolutely YES. 

Do I think all the messy stitching will matter as I get more done? Not to me.

So, I'll keep going.

Snowy Day for Quilt Play

 It’s been snowy here a good part of the day and the quilt-play has been entertaining. I can tell I am overdoing it though, as I feel some pain at the base of my thumb. Probably it’s from holding the fabric in a weird way.

Crazy Quilty---Dirty Quilty

 This quilt is dirty. I didn't really notice it until I got up close and personal with it. 

I did pause a bit after noticing the dirtiness. Does it give it character? Is it gross? Is the brownish tint just a patina? 

I might have taken the time to try and wash the quilt but since is it 50% vintage red fabric, I was afraid to do that. The internet showed me pictures of runny red dye bleeding all over fabric, and I didn't want that to happen. If this was some exquisite heirloom piece I would definitely be doing all I could to clean it up. 

This quilt was a practical piece, not a show piece. That I am resurrecting it at all seems to be a generous act. 

Crazy Quilty - Starting off

The title here, "Crazy Quilty," was a typo....but I like it!!!

On this crazy quilty adventure here, I just jumped in like I usually do. Figure it out as you go!  This isn't the best method as I spend a lot of time committing to something I started out doing, and didn't feel like I could give up on.

Just a little bit more will fix this mess! Nope. Doesn't seem to work that way. 

Anyway, most of the worst messes I have made are in places where the fabric was almost non-existent. I stitches the heck out of those places. As I went along, they got uglier and uglier. But I am someone who commits to whatever it is. 

My thinking is that I can always pull it out later or cover it with a new scrap of fabric.

This mess:

is one that I woke up at night thinking about. Ugh! I kept thinking about how ugly it is.

In the morning I looked at it and thought, "Oh, it isn't all that bad." If I don't like it as I finishing the project, I can always deal with it then.  Of course, it also is a sort of document of my progress....my improvement. (I hope my improvement.)

And with that in mind, here was the first thing I did on the quilt. I appliquéd a new piece of fabric and then did a blanket stitch over it. Wow, is that primitive!!!

It will get better. 

And I need to investigate more about crazy quilts before I do too much. I need to look at what others have already done so I can get some inspiration.