Tuesday, September 28, 2010

A makeover

My second oldest UFO came out for an airing this week. I've shown these Baltimore style blocks way back on my blog and they're getting a bit musty smelling after spending many years stored in a cotton bag in the bottom of a drawer.
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I did have big plans for this quilt, it was going to be twenty five blocks, all set something like this with a floral border I was going to draw up and a lovely red binding to finish. I even decided on the size and trimmed them accordingly. It was a big plan that's for sure.

I needed to replace a couple of the blocks because of one thing or another and I needed to make two more in addition to make it twenty five in total. The truth is I just don't feel inspired to do that but they represent my real journey into applique and wouldn't it be a shame not to do something with them?
Thinking cap on and a plan to bring it out to a decent size and it's full steam ahead. I removed some blocks to make it twenty blocks instead of twenty five
Hundreds of half square triangles need to be made so I used Lori's method and with two ten inch squares, I can make 32 very quickly. They all had to be trimmed but I like that because I need absolute accuracy. These will finish at 1/1/2" square.
The upper part is is done and together, I like it a lot, maybe not as much as my original idea but I'm being realistic and changing direction will mean that it's more likely to be a finished quilt.
There's still a part of me that thinks because of the finished size, maybe I could add five more blocks to the sides if I change my mind again. Or not!

89 comments:

Nat Palaskas said...

Oh Janet, I love love it! I can see you have used one of the block for your profile. They are all lovely and withe sawtooth border it looks even better. This quilt will inspires a lot of people to start appliqué - Well done Janet - Hugs Nat

Anonymous said...

Janet that is the sort of quilt my DH would love for our bed and I wish I could get my head around it, it is beautiful.

cheers
Christine

Deb said...

It is amazing what we start with and how we finish. I think that no matter what you do with these blocks it will be exceptional!! You have made many heirlooms just add this beauty to your list.

Oops-Lah said...

Good on you to finish an old UFO. And what a shame it would be if you didn't! I recently did the same with a Baltimore quilt myself. I threw some of the blocks I didn't like anymore away and made a bigger middle block. It turned out quite nice and at least it's finished!

antique quilter said...

Baltimore albums must be on our minds... LOL
yup.....I have been reading and researching the past two weeks on them pouring over my books and finally a plan started to come together yesterday...
good luck !
Its going to be beautiful
Kathie

Jutta(quilt) said...

Fantastic, looks really great.
I wish I could do such beautiful appliqué,

Jutta

Alice said...

I love the pieced sashing (and thanks for showing how to do it). The quilt looks great. I love the touches of blue in it - don't let it get musty again:)

Rachaeldaisy said...

Oh my!! Every post of yours is a treat! Those blocks are amazing! Your appilque is so perfect! I love the patterns of the blocks, the half triangle sashing is perfect to set them off.

Sonja♥ said...

It's sooooo nice, Janet, please don't stop here:)

Meredith said...

I am so glad you decided to air it out. It is so very pretty. Seeing an exhibit full of them in Baltimore left me breathless. Yours has the same effect. Well done.

Jess @ Scrappy n Happy said...

Wow Janet! That is going to look awesome! You could make the left over blocks into matching pillow covers, not that i would sleep on something so beautiful!

liz said...

Speechless! Those blocks are beautifully executed. I can understand how you must have felt exhausted after all that work, but I am thrilled you felt refreshed enough to tackle them again. What a treat.

Anonymous said...

Woaw , beautiful with these half square triangles. Your quilt will be a beauty !

Shirley said...

Now the way I see it Janet is that there were only two blocks left to do and thet final border would soon be there. Just add the simple binding and call it a day.The triangles really add to it. Whatever you choose to do at the end of the day you have a really beautiful quilt and it is ok to change your mind. It is after all a woman's perogative.
Love Shirley.

Theresa said...

It's beautiful and the sawtooth border is just the perfect finish to your wonderful blocks.

Unknown said...

SO Glad you got these out of hiding...They are All Beautiful..so much work has gone into them..it's Great that you are Motivated again to Create a Finish..
cheers

Unknown said...

It is just beautiful with the HSTs!! But I can stop staring at the gorgeous applique. This will truly be an heirloom.

Carol B in NH said...

Absolutely beautiful!

Pinkadot Quilts said...

I love the half square triangles. they set off the blocks great.
I also like that you want to finish it because it was your journey into applique, so profound!

Sandy said...

Just beautiful! I have done a 9 block BA, and have yet to quilt it- did take a hand quilting class, and now, with your inspiration! may be able to drag it out and FINISH! Sandy

Anonymous said...

Absolutely beautiful Janet, I am always in awe of magnificent quilters such as yourself. Your applique is amazing. I like the border, it really looks stunning.

Teresa Rawson said...

Wow! Now that is what I call inspiration! The blocks are certainly beautiful, and your idea of the sawtooth sashing/border is the perfect compliment to your applique. If my UFO's were so amazing, they would not be UFO's anymore!

alobsiger said...

WOWee, Janet! You are a quilt goddess. Your blocks are divine. I love "plan B" for the blocks -- the red sawtooth is wonderful! I look forward to more on your Baltimore Album story!!

Abby and Stephanie said...

I seem to use the words "stunning" and "spectacular" a lot to describe your work but other words fail me. Truly beautiful.

ranette said...

These blocks are too amazing (I know that word gets used a lot these days, but it's true) to have put away in the bottom of a drawer. I love the "red" hst borders and I am inspired by the artistry in your work! Gorgeous!

Funoldhag said...

Oh, wow!! That is just gorgeous. I am so glad you have that out of the drawer and are back working on it. The sashing is perfect. Absolutely beautiful! Carol

Unknown said...

These are wonderful blocks that should be shown, loved and appreciated.
Fantastic start on getting things underway for completion. Love the sawtooth border, and you could put a wide white sashing around the edge to increase the quilt size, plus use your remaining blocks to make throw cushions for on top of the bed.

Cathy @ CabbageQuilts said...

Now this is a ufo worth talking about! Wow Janet, you have been incredible with applique from the word go. Fabulous idea to make it a little less, in order to finish it rather than have it sitting in a dark cupboard. This will be glorious. xo

Sarah Vanderburgh said...

beautiful. what a treasure. finish it and be proud of it. love the triangles. the blocks are just amazing. someday I hope to have even just 4 blocks like this!! A great motivating project.

Terry said...

Your HSTs really set off your blocks beautifully! I say finish it off at the 20 blocks and be done with it! Another project bites the dust! LOL

Lori said...

These blocks were stowed away in a drawer?! I am so glad you brought them out and rehashed your setting idea. I think they are terrific with the HST sashing and it is better to have the quilt smaller than blocks stored away. It is really gorgeous Janet.

Marjorie said...

A couple of throw pillows to go with the quilt would be a much better option than discarding them or working them back in.

Thimbleanna said...

Ok, my first thought as I was reading was that if you were stuck and didn't know which way to go ... Send Them to MEEEE!!!!

Holy Cow Janet -- they're absolutely gorgeous. I LOVE your setting. I'm going to show your post to my mother -- she has some beautiful blocks that have been languishing too -- maybe this will inspire her to get working on them again.

Taryn said...

Stunning! Isn't it amazing how you can get so far on such an elaborate project and then, when you aren't happy with a part, become uninspired? I am very happy you've worked through your roadblock and made so much progress in these last few days. I can't wait to see how things go from here.

Darlene said...

Oh, Janet you were definitely ready to have them come out of the dark (so to speak)- the blocks are stunning and the setting is perfect. When I grow up I want to be YOU. You never cease to amaze me.

Nedra said...

The red half square triangles are the perfect setting! Bravo! I can see why you would want to bring out this UFO and finish up. Baltimore's are timeless.

Donna~~ said...

Janet, Your quilt is the kind I always see in books of antique quilts and know--just know--that they cannot be made by a real person. It's really exquisite, and I like your triangle sashing--it's perfect! Hope you can finish it someday. I only wish my UFO's were so lovely!

Yankee Valley Stitcher said...

What a beautiful quilt. Your applique is gorgeous. Definatly a quilt that deserves to be finished and shown off!!

Cindy

Vivian said...

Your work is always so phenomenal that to think this heirloom level work was a UFO in a drawer really, really impresses me.

I love the way you are moving to finish it and it looks great but I admit, like Sharon, I would also have loved to see you add the last two blocks. But knowing the work that must have went into making those blocks, I can definitely relate to just wanting to be done with them!

I have long viewed the creations on your blog and that of Cathy at Cabbage Quilts and you both inspired me to take a Hand Applique class this summer and I am pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Don't know where that journey will take me but I thank you for all your inspiring work!

Dixie Howard said...

Another beauty! Really like how you are finishing it. I think a fancier border and finish would take away from the gorgeous blocks.

quiltcontemplation blogspot said...

lovely! even spectacular!

Cheri said...

Oh My Goodness, these are just wonderful. The hst are just right. Baltimore Album blocks are so, so classy. I am so glad you brought it out of the drawer to share.
Happy Stitching
Cheri

Crispy said...

WOW Janet that is just stunning!! Are the patterns from one of Elly's books? Your choice of HST's is perfect, even if it wasn't your original plan :0)

Crispy

beth said...

stunning is the right word!!

Ann Champion said...

Your blocks are fantastic! I like the sawtooth sashing.
I have 8 BA blocks done and stored away. Every once in a while I think about pulling them out and making at least one more. Then I could set them together with a Garden Maze setting or something, and get a bigger quilt.
My heart says...make more blocks...my head says..my color preferences have changed..and there's no steam to finish!
Your work is always so inspiring. :)

Frances Leate said...

Your blocks are absolutely superb and I just love Baltimore quilts. It has inspired me to get back to working on my WIP but I think I will make mine a wall quilt and reduce the number of blocks but add an applique border. Happy stitching!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful - I like the 20 block idea. Get it done because it's just fabulous! Use the remaining 3 for the back or better yet - pillows/cushions.

John'aLee said...

I am so glad you are finishing that quilt. It is amazing. My oh my...the work you have put into it. Sounds like it has to be sentimental seeing it is such a part of your 'applique' journey.
I am amazed by your talent and perseverance.

The Quilted Finish said...

So glad such beautiful work has left the UFO drawer! Whatever you decide I'm certain it will be a quilt to cherish, I'm in awe! All that work!
Kind regards,Rowena

Kath said...

This really is an heirloom of the future, I hope you will label it with a little story about its evolution :)

Annette said...

Your quilt is amazing! I love what you are doing with it.

Becky said...

This is so gorgeous, the HST sashing/border is stunning. Whether it ends up 4 x 5 or 5 x 5 is immaterial, it just needs to be seen!

Marcy said...

I am always in aw of your work and what you get completed. I find your blog soooo inspirational and have learned alot from you. I wish you lived right next door to me or better yet I was related to you....lol.
Thanks again for sharing.
Marcy/Canada

Elisabeth said...

Deze quilt word prachtig!! en dan de driehoeken maken het helemaal af... Groetjes Elisabeth

Elisabeth said...

Deze quilt word prachtig!! en dan de driehoeken maken het helemaal af... Groetjes Elisabeth

Sharon said...

Stunning, and good for you for getting it finished. I am doing a hexi projct and I keep saying Finished is better than big!"
This is absolutely fabulous.

Dana said...

Oh, Janet - your work is phenomenal! You are amazing! Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful work - I'm inspired to head home from work to stitch!

Cardygirl said...

Stunning Janet whatever size it is!

Janet said...

Janet, Just gorgeous. Your applique, your fabrics, everything lovely. You definitely will have a
treasured/heirloom quilt on your hands.
Janet

Barb said...

this will be a stunner! What beautiful blocks.
I like your idea and the HST will be lovely

Julia said...

Oh Janet..it's too beautiful to be in the cupboard...your so close to a finish, It lovely just with the saw tooth edge..whatever you do will be lovely..
Question...will you hand-quilt it?
Julia ♥

Piecefully Pam said...

FABULOUS, Janet!!! Plan B WORKS!!! The red and white sawtooth border is terrific!!! Your work is positively stunning!!!

Munaiba said...

Janet those blocks are fabulous.Can we have some close-ups?

broderie said...

Janet, i like the addition of the hst borders, but i am with those that say do the two extra blocks to complete this masterpiece! For you it would only be about a week extra of your life to finish the whole thing and those blocks you have discarded will be back in the bottom of the cupboard!!!

Lisa said...

Janet, this is absolutely breathtaking. I would like more closeups, also. I say do the two blocks for 25. I'm so glad you are going to finish it. I'm sure it will win awards.

Vivian said...

Those blocks are truly fantastic. Can't wait to see what you do for borders.

Karen said...

What a treasure, I'm so glad you're inspired to work on it again. And 20is a great size. Congrats on a fabulous quilt - wish I could see this one in person.

Ivory Spring said...

Oh my, Janet... I am excited that you took these blocks out from hiding and showing them!!! They are absolutely gorgeous.

Dorothy said...

BEAUTIFUL!

Miriam said...

Breathtaking, Janet!!!!!

What an inspirational set of blocks!

Marit said...

Fantastic work, Janet!

All those little triangles makes the beautiful blocks shine even more! Enjoy finishing this top. Maybe the other blocks would be proper as matching pillows?

Sew Create It - Jane said...

Wow - I'm speechless. This is going to be amazing when you get it done!!

BubzRugz said...

Just stunning.....
Hugz

Ruth said...

It is gorgeous and I love the HSTs bordering each block. Yes, it definitely needs to get finished!!!

Martha said...

It's an amazing quilt, and I think the sawtooth border sets off each of the blocks and makes them look even more beautiful.

I can't imagine having a UFO stored away that looks like this!

Janet said...

Each one of these blocks is like a work of art on its own! I'm so excited to see you get them out and be doing something with them. I do like your new setting plan very much. I hope you do something with the "extra" blocks :0)

Sally Anne said...

Oh WOW !! Totally stunning. A work of art..I love it, especially with the half square triangles. Excellent choice, and beautiful work Janet.

kim mclean said...

Well done Janet!! It looks great with the red/white triangles! I did one of these formal Baltimores too. Thank goodness I finished it then because there is now I'd be finishing something like that now. I think its going to be glorious when it's done! Cheers, Kim McL

Pat said...

Stunning, absolutely stunning! The red triangles are just classic - your skills are extraordinary...

Hilda said...

Absolutely beautiful !!! and the border is a perfect choice :)

Karen said...

Janet, your BA is absolutely amazing. I am so glad you brought it out from the storage drawer and finishing it.
the half square triangles were a perfect decision. Can't wait to see it completely done.
I'm just in awe...
Karen

imquilternity said...

Wow...you are really ambitious in the applique department. I'm so impressed because I know just how many hours this quilt represents! It's absolutely beautiful and will be a finished quilt soon! Yippee!

Rose Marie said...

Wow, wow, wow .... I loved your blocks before, but now ...... what a great idea!!!!!

Sarah said...

Wow, wow, wow! Your applique is heart-stopping (as Alex Anderson would say!). And the HST sashing sets them off so beautifully. I can't wait to see this one come together. I shall live vicariously through your finish!

Mamen said...

hi as of Spain me they charm those fetter of appliqué they stay gorgeous the applications the baltimore, I hice one quilt Amicability which is E pride , greetings as of The Waterfront of Holy Nautical. Kisses Mamen

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

this is going to be a great quilt - glad to see that you are using these blocks for a quilt instead of keeping the blocks stored away!
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/

AnnieO said...

These blocks are really striking! What a great thing to have, the start of your journey into applique, that catalogues so well your wonderful work!

Browndirtcottage said...

It's going to be FANTABULOUS Janet!!

Terrie Sandelin said...

Amazing and beautiful! Another masterpiece quilt.