Thursday, September 25, 2014

Fan Quilt

Fan Quilt
This is one of two queen sized quilts in the same pattern, that I made back in 1981.  Daughter has the second quilt.  This is a pattern known as Grandmother's Fan and Oriental Fan.  The "fans" are pieced and appliqued to the blue background rectangles, which were then joined together to make the quilt top.  It is very minimally hand quilted, just a single outline quilting along the outer edge of the fan.  I prefer piecing the patches to quilting.   Like the majority of my quilts, it is made of fabric I had in my fabric stash, mostly leftover from my mother's sewing (she used to make all our clothes).  I did buy the blue fabric and the backing, which isn't shown. 

I first became interested in patchwork when I was a teenager, in 1974.  I had seen a patchwork cushion cover in a magazine.  It was pieced using English paper piecing, where paper templates were cut out first and covered with fabric, and then whip stitched together.  English paper piecing is hand sewn.  The cushion was composed of 1-inch diameter hexagons and diamonds.

My second patchwork piecing project was a quilt.  Composed of 2-inch diameter hexagons, it, too, was English paper pieced.  It was a Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt.  The year was 1976.  I no longer have this quilt top - I wore it out over the years. 

Since then, I've made several more quilts.  I have given away some of them.  Others are worn and tearing.  But others are barely used and look as new as the day I made them. 

Currently, I am sewing a new Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt.  With larger hexagons than the previous Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt.  I'll post pictures of it when I have finished it.

Does anyone else like to do patchwork quilting?  Do you have quilts you have made?  Do you buy the fabric especially for quilts or do you use scraps leftover from other sewing projects?

6 comments:

  1. I try to respond but keep getting thrown out. Gorgeous quilt. Hope DD begins to adjust to new environment. Must be difference between guys and gals. DS enjoyed the adventure of learning about new surroundings in the eastern Canada. We mostly got e-mails or texts with 'how do I...'? Some days the same question from each unaware their brother already asked! One lived ina dorm, DS 2 was a roomie in a shared house with 4-6 different guys & sometimes their girl friends.

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    1. Hi Hon Min; I'm sorry you are having trouble responding. I really appreciate you taking the trouble to comment.

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  2. I don't have the patience necessary to do this kind of work, and I'm sure I don't have the talent either! This is a beautiful quilt that you made. I remember you posting a pic on GON of another quilt you had made 2 or 3 years ago. You are so creative and talented.

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    1. Thank you! But there are some quilts that can be made quite quickly, using pre-cut fabric, strip-piecing, etc. Or you could try doing a smaller project like a cushion cover or a table runner. Maybe something to try this winter? I'll be happy to give you some tips.

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  3. How lovely to be able to quilt. I always think it must be wonderful to own a handmade quilt from a friend or relative.

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    1. Thank you, Lady Ella. I much prefer the sewing of the pieces to the actual quilting part - most of my quilts are "tied" instead of quilted. But, it's a fun hobby. :)

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