Sunday, August 24, 2014

A Special Sampler Quilt

I started making these blocks in January of this year. Six-inch Sampler blocks to turn into a special quilt for me. My pile of 63 blocks...


The idea came from the Farmer's Wife QAL craze of a few years ago. I decided to simplify and primarily used this book - 501 Rotary Cut Quilt Blocks by Judy Hopkins. The blocks will alternate set straight and on-point, so I kept a list, recording each pattern as I made it, hoping to avoid any duplicates.


The goal is to complete the quilt by my birthday in December. You see, I have a big one coming up - it ends in a "0". 

2014 also marks 30 years of serious quilting for me - feels like a milestone. I took my first quilt class in 1981. I had a baby and a job which didn't leave much time for quilting. The baby became babies and the job continued, so sewing time was pretty nonexistent. In 1984, I kept the babies, but quit the job and nap time became quilting time. And the story began - fabric collecting, quilt guilds, sewing and working in a quilt shop - all became a big part of me.

As I've worked on these blocks, it's been fun to think about how things have changed and how they haven't. I still have favorite blocks - stars and pinwheels - and I still have favorite colors - blues and greens. But I have evolved as a quilter.


As I made each block, I carefully chose my some of my all-time favorite colors and fabrics, both old and new...


I tried to add some whimsy and a surprisingly new favorite color for me - purple...


I added at least one fabric from all of my favorite designers...


And as organized as I felt, ended up with 2 blocks of the same pattern...


Ten of the blocks were made by five very special friends. I think I need to have them sign at least one of their blocks.


Some of my collected lines - Flea Market Fancy and Bonnie and Camille.


I'm excited to sew the blocks together, and I'm hoping it doesn't look like a hot mess. If it does, I guess it will be my hot mess and I know I'll love it!!

27 comments:

  1. What a lovely bunch of blocks....I love the colors you chose!
    I wish I'd thought about doing something like that for myself....I'll be 60 on 12/22 and should have thought to make myself something special :) Maybe I will take your lead and make myself something for my "60th Year!"

    I loved browsing your blog......

    Peggy in NJ (a follower on IG)

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  2. They look lovely so far, an dI am sure it will look amazing when all together!

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  3. I love what you have made so far.

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  4. You've totally inspired me! Lovely.

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  5. Love the inspiration and the deliberate thoughtfulness of this project. It is one you will no doubt treasure for many years to come. I am looking forward to seeing it all come together!

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  6. This is going to be a wonderful quilt! Looking forward to seeing it in all its glory!

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  7. How wonderful! A good plan and a fun purpose! This will be a stunner, to the "hyacinth" degree :)

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  8. I love the idea that your friend made some of the blocks, that is such a great memento!

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  9. Really lovely. I love how organized you are.

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  10. This is going to be very special and lovely.

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  11. Such a great idea! I love that your sampler will be special just for you :) Can't wait to see it come together.
    Amanda

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  12. I love your blocks!! I too have the Judy Hopkins blocks book, and it is my absolute favourite. I've just made a quilt with the Chinese block, there is so much inspiration! Looking forward to seeing your blocks assembled!

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  13. Hi Cindy. This quilt is going to be amazing. I love that you've taken a concept and modified it to suit yourself. I'm interested to see how it will turn out, so I've signed up to follow you now on bloglovin.

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  14. I have that "same" birthday coming up next year. Could you make me a quilt like your's? You're an inspiration and this will be beautiful.

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  15. what a nice post! your quilt will be stunning!

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  16. They are all beautiful. I hit the big age that ends in 0 in July; wish I'd thought to do the same thing. Can't wait to see the completed quilt.

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  17. Your blocks are beautiful ! Is going to be an amazing quilt. Love the colors!

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  18. Aside from how beautiful this quilt will look when it all comes together, I love how you spent mental time while you were piecing these blocks to reflect on your journey as a quilter! We do evolve in our affair with quilting!

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  19. I love your blocks!...and your choice of colors. I have a sampler book at home and have always wanted to make a sampler quilt? You have given me the much needed inspiration to do this! I can't wait to see the completed quilt...please post it!

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  20. It looks beautiful so far Cindy! And I highly doubt anything you make can look like a hot mess. And I agree with you completely about working with kids. I have no time to sew. Maybe, maybe I can squeeze in a few minutes over naptime this long weekend.

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  21. L*O*V*E*! It's going to hot, alright, but no mess!! I love how you have put so many of your "favorite things" into the blocks...what an "accomplishment" quilt. I think that I can guess which "0" birthday you're having....I had that one a couple of years ago! BTW, did you know that the Farmer's Wife quilt has two of the same blocks in it?!...churn dashes!

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  22. Oh I had the same idea for a farmers wife style quilt, even using the same book! I have all the pages marked but haven't begun.

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  23. That is just really cool. I love it.

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