Sharon Quilts!

In between the quilts I've been doing, Sharon brought one over to finish. The two of us have a history with making one particular Thimbleberries pattern called Harvest Mix. I've made one, she's now made three! 

Since her daughter has recently moved into a country cabin in the woods, Sharon wanted to make a quilt that would enhance her rustic setting as we head into the fall season. And does any quilt look like it will work any better than this one? It has such a rich, fall-toned vibe! It will look great in Amanda's new home.

Sharon opted for a wavy, vertical line across her quilt, which was a really fast way to finish it. I might give this option a try on a quilt; I've never done it, but it does look good and finishes fast.

Here's a clearer view of the wavy quilting lines. They run the length of the quilt.

The colors in this quilt are simply the most wonderful combination of browns, yellows, golds and deep reds - very evocative of autumn here in Ohio.

 

To see my version of Harvest Mix, click here. 

 

Short and sweet today, Peeps!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Jayne 

 
 

 

An Oldie - Harvest Mix

This entire last week has not seen any sewing action at all - too busy with turkey-day prep! So why don't we take a look at a golden oldie - Harvest Mix. 

Many years ago, when Lynette Jensen's Thimbleberries books were being released one after another, I was a huge fan. From one of those books, At Home With Thimbleberries Quilts (1997), I made Harvest Mix. Even as old as this quilt is - maybe 20 years? - it still looks so great each fall when I pull it out of storage to drape over a chair.

At 56" x 66", this quilt would fall into the lap quilt category and mine is a very close imitation of the one in her book. Because I loved the quilt in the book so much, I pulled fabrics from my stash that mimicked her version. The blocks are big - 9" I believe - and they goes together quite quickly. Jensen writes the easiest patterns, I have found. I return to them time and time again.

Just like with that 6-pointed star I shared last week, I love studying the blocks and the fabric combinations in Harvest Mix. I'm glad that I still love this little quilt after so many years.

I am actually thinking about making another one of these quilts - maybe in a springtime colorway. That would look quite nice, I bet, and again, I would use all manner of stash fabrics.

This afternoon, I loaded a quilt onto the longarm machine; I will be working on that in hope of having it ready to gift on Wednesday. Crossing my fingers that all goes well! 

Happy Quilting, Friends!

from At Home With Thimbleberries Quilts

 I showed just one of my Thimbleberries books in the last post - I am making Meadow Lily; look back here to see the quilt. 

I sat down yesterday to look at the rest of this book and discovered that counting Meadow Lily, I will have made five quilts from this book, a good indication that it was a good buy. I'm sure I've had the book for 20-25 years; I should check to see if I can figure out something more precise.

 

In the meantime, I thought I would do a bit of reminiscing about the other quilts from this book. 

First, I will share Harvest Mix, a lap quilt that has 'fall' written all over it. I still love the look of this quilt now as much as I did when I made it.

One of the pics in the book has Harvest Mix folded over the back of a sofa and it looks so amazing - I tried to select fabrics that were very close to those Jensen used in hers, in the hopes that I could achieve that perfect cozy feel. 

 

Another quilt featured in this book is Nine Patch Criss Cross; I have actually made this pattern twice. Here's one made with four fabrics, as the pattern is designed.

And below, the same pattern made years earlier in three fabrics. This one has been used and laundered quite a lot. This quilt is special because my late grandma hand-quilted it for me.

And finally, take a look at Yo-Yo Table Topper, a fun little quilt I bring out at Christmas time. 

 

This quilt, too, has been used extensively and has the dripped candle wax to prove it. I don't dare launder it or I will be restitching those yo-yos. 

When a single book can result in 5 quilts there's a good purchase. I wish I could say that about all the books I've purchased. (Are you nodding in agreement??)

When Meadow Lily is finally a flimsy, I will be sure to bring you a finish pic.

Happy Quilting, Friends!