Wednesday, September 7, 2016

My Oldest UFO Resurrected

So I woke up in the middle of the night 3 weeks ago thinking I should finish the border on a small quilt that I started in 1994. It's the oldest of my UFOs and has been hanging on a rack in my sewing room as a daily reminder.


One side was done, another made but not attached, leaving two more that needed to be pieced by hand. All the pieces were cut.

 

It all began years ago when I saw this Baltimore Bride quilt in Patchwork & Applique: From Traditional Quilts to Fun Fashions

 

After taking a class with Elly Sienkiewicz in Paducah in 1994 I was hooked on Baltimore Album applique. I drafted this block from the one in the picture above. 



I chose designs with a diagonal focus and lots of points or fronds.   

 

I was definitely testing my skills. (Sorry about the shadow.)


I don't remember if this was one of Elly's patterns or not.


In any case I wasn't thrilled with this block because the design is smaller than the other three making the top look a little off-balance. But it is what it is.



I've always liked the way the triangles form a heart in the middle of each border. And now that all 4 sides are done, I've decided to end the quilt here with no fancy border. At some point I will hand quilt it.  But wait . . . 


Don't laugh! Years ago on one of our Lancaster trips I bought this fabric specifically with this quilt in mind. . . 


What was I thinking?? Certainly not a border because this quilt was going to be a lot larger than it is. Maybe the back?? Yikes! In any case I'm not using it in this quilt :) 

Happy quilting!




__________
Copyright 2016, Barbara Schaffer

8 comments:

  1. Well, it is pretty fabric, but I have to agree, it is not for this beautiful quilt. A 1994 top is surely in the running for the oldest UFO. I have a few from the mid to late 80's, but I know they will never become "FO's" so they don't count. I have given a lot to my guild's auction each year, but why can't we part with some things we know we will never finish? I guess that is why we see so many unfinished tops and blocks in antique stores! Good for you for resurrecting this treasure!

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  2. Our tastes change over the years, so who knows what you purchased the fabric (and saved) for. Your quilt as is......beautiful. I really don't see anything off balance.

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  3. Beautiful blocks. Keep it simple on that border IMHO!
    Mary

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  4. I can't believe that you forgot this awesome quilt in a closet....Barbara, you've done an terrific work on this appliqué ! For the border fabric...well, in this case, you're allowed to forget it ! Ah ah !

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  5. Beautiful! any project that I started in 1994 would not be to my taste now ..but this one is very much so ! Weren't you lucky to do a class with Elly? I have quite a few of her books.

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  6. It's always interesting what causes us to stop working on a project. You finished those other two borders quickly and it all looks beautiful put together. Glad you put on the brakes with the other fabric. You're right, "what we're you thinking!" Although, it did have red and green in it and 20+ years ago you probably thought it was perfect. :0)

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  7. Whew! i was worried for one minute. ha ha good one! I almost spit my coffee.
    I just love your blocks they are so dynamic. Wow that is some really challenging applique! lots of pointy points and sharp inside corners.
    I look forward to see how you are going to finish it.
    Lancaster called and wants this fabric back, lol.

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  8. p.s. I took a class with Elly too, isn't she a lovely lady?

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