Thelma and I signed up for three classes in the four day week of course offerings the Buggy Barn provided. Initially, we intended only to sign up for the two quilt classes offered by Paula Barnes of Red Crinoline Quilts (formerly Bonnie Blue Quilts). Both of us are crazy for Civil War reproduction fabrics and patterns, and had been fans of Paula's forever. We knew we could not possibly go wrong with that choice and we were right. Ultimately, we chose an additional class in an area in which neither of us had any experience, but that's anotherpost!
Paula Barnes is a soft spoken, and extremely gracious Southern lady, who was also a very effective teacher. The first day of class the project was one of her Bonnie Blue patterns called Hill Country Baskets. This pattern would be ideal for a stash reduction project, but because of time contraints and simplicity, a kit was offered as part of the class price. Just take a look at the photo above, every Civil War scrap in your stash would work together in this quilt. The thing that holds it all together is the lattice--a border stripe print. TIP: when you see a border print fabric in colors that you often use, just buy it. Don't even think twice. Of course you can use it as an outer border, but doesn't it add the coolest effect in the lattice? We commonly pass right by these border prints, but come on, let's use our imaginations. These fabrics are fabulous when used well.
The fabric you choose for the setting triangles and the border are going to set the over all look of this quilt. My opinion? Why not wait until you lay out your blocks and lattice and see what "speaks" to you? Sometimes after you finish your blocks, all will be revealed and you will know in just what direction to proceed. If you make this project, you may have a preponderance of greens or blues or browns in your stash (and your finished blocks), and those colors might be more effective in your setting triangles and borders. Just wait and see is my advice.
Aren't these blocks adorable? Another TIP: buy fat quarters or half yards of good background fabrics constantly. If you are on a shop hop, don't come home without some good backgrounds. Every stash benefits from a good and plentiful assortment of these. Scrappy backgrounds are wonderful, and are going to be with us for the foreseeable future. Our quilting predecessors used multiple scraps of what they had on hand, and it makes for a much more authentic Civil War reproduction project.
So here is another TIP, this time from Paula. She likes to lay out her block units on a tray and assembly line sew them together in sets of five or six blocks. She was telling us that she recently purchased a baker's rack (you know--you've seen them a million times--it's a metal rack with very narrow slots for holding baking sheets that contain rolls or other baked goods). She organizes her block units on rimmed baking sheets and pulls a tray out and sews her units whenever she gets a chance. Brilliant, huh?
Most of us either don't have access to a baker's rack, or the room to squeeze it into our sewing rooms, but one little tray could achieve the same purpose. I kind of like how my units to be sewn are all organized and together there.
I will be posting all week and probably into next week on this marvelous trip and all that we learned. I have another vacation coming up, and will set some posts to publish while I am away. This time I will be organized, and also have enough blog fodder to keep you all entertained while I am off.
Where am I going next? Ireland!! I am going to visit my son and his fiancee Mary Ann, and cannot wait!
IRELAND, AARON, AND MARY ANN??!!!!!!! Bliss a bazillion times over!!! When do you leave?
Thanks for planning to keep us entertained in your absence, too.
Hill Country Baskets is utterly charming. Your advice about waiting to see how your center blocks speak to you before choosing setting triangle fabric is excellent.
When I began to learn to quilt, the folks at a great quilt shop in Austin, TX suggested not choosing border fabric until the quilt center was finished. They said the quilt might call for different borders or a pieced border, so why not keep your options open?
Have you worn Miss E out by playing with her all day yesterday?!
Hugs!
Posted by: Barbara Anne | August 28, 2012 at 05:42 AM
What a beautiful quilt. I'm loving hearing about your trip. Thanks for sharing with all of us!
Posted by: Diane | August 28, 2012 at 06:10 AM
I'm looking forward to your post. Also Ireland is gorgeous!
Posted by: Mary | August 28, 2012 at 06:34 AM
Hope you have a lovely time in Ireland - it is on my bucket list of places to visit.
Posted by: CarlaHR | August 28, 2012 at 06:59 AM
Love your Hill Country Baskets! I've been thinking about buying a baker's rack for my sewing room ever since I saw that tip in AP&Q magazine. I checked for them online and was surprised to see that they're available from amazon.com.
Posted by: Mary Jo | August 28, 2012 at 07:00 AM
Wow wow wow!!! Two equally wonderful trips back to back! Good for you! I loved Ireland and long to go back so I will be looking forward to your photos and stories. Enjoy.
Posted by: Wendy Ouellette | August 28, 2012 at 07:13 AM
I love the tip about the stripes. I buy them, but I think -- I'm never going to use this much stripe fabric! I never thought about carefully cutting them to be the sashing strips - especially on a set-on-point quilt. I'm definitely going to try that out on my next Fig Tree quilt. Glad to see the beautiful pictures from your trip and look forward to more reveals! All the best, Jennifer
Posted by: Jennifer G | August 28, 2012 at 08:16 AM
This is going to be a gorgeous quilt when finished. I love Paula Barnes's patterns and have quite a few, but have resisted started any yet. I'm trying to get through some UFOs, but now I'm so tempted to start one, especially since all your tips are so helpful.
A trip to Ireland, wow. What a wonderful vacation you're going to have! Hope to see lots of pictures, it's a country I've always wanted to visit.
Posted by: Heartsdesire | August 28, 2012 at 08:40 AM
This is one of my favorite patterns by Paula. I saw it on her website a few months ago and I loved it. So I was looking forward to reading about this one. The star piece was recently made by one of my guild members and I have mixed feelings on it. I mean it's Paula's so there is some love there but not like this one! I LOVE this one.
I feel too guilty buying the pattern because over Fall market I picked up 5 of her patterns and I have yet to make them. After you mentioned the class I dug out my favorite of the bunch (Tavern Blue) and started pulling fabric for it. Funny thing is that it uses lattice strips like this one and you are so right about the striped fabric. I have none but can see the appeal.
Anyway, I love how the blocks are turning out.
As to your upcoming trip! WOOHOO!! I was just talking to my daughter over the weekend about our travel wishlist and Ireland is among the top 5 places to visit (that must be on everyone's bucket list). I'm so happy you will get to visit your son. For some reason I find that although they talk about their daily lives being able to go and see them in that environment makes you feel more comforted. At least that is how it is for me.
Posted by: Sandy M | August 28, 2012 at 08:42 AM
Oh my goodness, that is a beautiful quilt. I'm sure your version will be every bit as stunning. Glad you had a wonderful time together with your girlfriends, who wouldn't?!
Posted by: sillysally | August 28, 2012 at 08:56 AM
Beautiful quilt & thanks for sharing the tips!
Posted by: Jan S. | August 28, 2012 at 11:43 AM
Sounds like you had a wonderful trip to Buggy Barn and now to Ireland. Have a wonderful time!
And thanks for all the posts.
Posted by: Elaine S. | August 28, 2012 at 11:50 AM
I love civil war fabrics and I am going to take your advice and buy some border fabrics! I have been building my stash of background fabrics.
Thanks!
Gloria
[email protected]
Posted by: Gloria | August 28, 2012 at 12:18 PM
Beautiful!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Ailsa | August 28, 2012 at 02:38 PM
Beautiful blocks! Thank you for the tips.
Enjoy your trip to Ireland! That is one country I would love to visit one day. I'm looking forward to hearing about your holiday.
Posted by: Miriam | August 28, 2012 at 03:50 PM
i love those blocks! they are very interesting
Posted by: Allison | August 28, 2012 at 04:36 PM
Thanks so much for sharing your trip(s) with us, plus your tips! It's fun and so interesting to hear about and see your project in progress. And I always learn things from you. Ireland! Wonderful! Have a great trip. And thanks, too, for preparing blog posts for while you're away, so we don't have to miss you! Bon voyage.
Posted by: Debbie R. | August 28, 2012 at 08:30 PM
OOOh beautiful quilt.. I have quite a bounty of civil war fabrics, I should surely start on such a project! Or maybe finish the 10 I have started..LOL Thank You for sharing. Love your blocks so far! And happy travels to Ireland!!
Posted by: Liz | August 28, 2012 at 08:43 PM
IRELAND???!!!! You lucky gal!!! I'm envious but happy for you! ;p
Posted by: ina | August 29, 2012 at 11:33 AM
Oh My Goodness! I have missed being on the computer the last week - and got so excited to see I've missed some posts! Love the tips you shared! Thank you! I was wondering if you have ever done a post on prewashing your fabrics before quilting and if you do any tips/tricks? I have not been prewashing and just 'test' the reds if I think they are going to be a problem - so far no problems.... but was just wondering if in the future you could share some thoughts on it.
Posted by: Bari Jo | August 31, 2012 at 10:36 AM