Woodland Wonderland Blocks

Some of my Woodland Wonderland blocks

from the quilt designed by Joanna Figueroa of Fig Tree & Co.

She designs fabric and patterns, and is my favorite quilt designer.

Washing The Quilt

Hello!  These are the makers:  Hannie Jo and daughter-in-law, Sarah J.

This quilt was hand pieced and hand quilted, circa 1890's.

This was on Sarah J's bed in the old house.  Before the house rotted away, this quilt was rescued and stored for many years.  Every time we took it out to look at it, it smelled funny.  It was kept dry, and so the deterioration was stopped.

See how yellow and spotted it was??

Finally, I got brave and decided it was time to actually wash it- YES-

with a wet wash.

Here is the product I used:

Vintage Textile Soak (tm)

It really works wonders.  I tried it first on a white stained linen dresser scarf, and was convinced it would work.

I first put the quilt in a bucket,

then I just put it in the tub!

I had fun swishing it around and decided it looked beautiful.

Look!  It's a FISH!!

"Fish"

I think the quilt rather liked the warm bath.

I spread it on a sheet out on the porch floor on a warm day.

Some of the stains are still there.  That can't be helped, but it doesn't smell anymore!

 It's dry now and looks so much better!!  It's laying inside the house now, and that's a poplar hardwood floor, by the way.  It's beautiful as it ages (the floor and the quilt!).

The quilt is much cleaner now, and should last another 100 years!

Much cleaner!  I like the Vintage Textile Soak.  I think quilt restorers don't want you to wet wash anything, but for me- I had to try it at my own risk on my ancestor's quilt.  I knew the dirt in it would most likely keep deteriorating the fabrics.

Though tattered and torn, this quilt is my favorite one off all times, because I rescued it, from the old log house.  I preserved it, and now, carefully washed it.  It makes me feel so close to my ancestors. Many of the fabrics are from old clothing they wore.

I think I'm going to have to reproduce this quilt.  I am already working on it,

Grandma's!!  Made for your memory.

Love you.

XXOO

Buttercream Twist designed by Kim Diehl.....Made Bigger

Buttercream Twist, 80 inches square.

I made it bigger than the pattern called for, which was is 6 x 6 blocks:
In other words- 6 rows by 6 rows (60 inches square).   So I made mine 8 blocks in each row. 
The blocks are 10 inches square, so that makes it easy to figure out, and also, you can throw this on the bed, any way you want to, and not have to worry about which way is up.

~~~

You can find this free pattern online,

click HERE.

Fabric Choices

I used ALL FABRICS from my 30 year + collection.

~~~

Fabric Cut into Strips

~~~

Scant 1/4 inch seam allowance

~~~

Blocks in progress

~~~

Top Finished

~~~

I liked this pattern when I first saw it.  I thought, it looks so easy and very simple, but it didn't turn out that way.  Don't get me wrong, I like Kim D.'s designs, and I love her color schemes of fabrics.  

Here's the problems I had:

1.  The seam allowance had to be less than 1/4 inch, in fact, almost 1/8 inch, to make the unfinished block 10 1/2" inches square.  Even then, I had to trim blocks after pressing, to make them square.

2.  I tried altering the size of the cut strips to make up for this problem, but that didn't work.
3.  I just couldn't figure out the math on this one- to make the sewn unfinished block turn out to be 10 1/2" square.  I tried cutting the strips for the blocks slightly different widths, but it still would not come out right.   I finally gave up and just stayed with a consistent VERY scant 1/4 seam allowance, pressed and trimmed the blocks as necessary.

~~~

  It helped to use the same ruler to trim the blocks.

My advice:  be as accurate and consistent as possible when cutting the fabric for this quilt, and then again when you are piecing it.  It will make a difference in how your blocks turn out.

~~~

My Quilting Design:

I call it "Kite Tails and Doughnuts"!

It is an all-over design, and I used several different round templates to make the doughnuts.

~~~

Last note:   I chose a High Loft 100% polyester batting!  I found out I actually like polyester batting.  It's warmer than cotton, and it gave my quilting design more definition.

I had fun making this quilt, despite the problems and was lucky to finish it before I got sick.