vintage sheets quilt
A while back I was lucky enough to meet Vicki from Hollyhocks and sweet as she is she gave me a gift which included some vintage sheets, handily cut into 7" squares. But ahh what to do with them?
I alternated the sheet squares with some pink polka dot fabric. I didn't want to use anything to busy that would distract from the gorgeousness of the sheets.
I backed the quilt with some larger polka dot fabric. Some similar fabric found its way into this lovely pink creation. Must be something in the air.
I used a cute Liberty fan print fabric for the border. I know I have to say it every time but, I LOVE LIBERTY FABRICS. There is nothing like them.
The quilt measures 38" x 74". I used the Denyse Schmidt Quilts book to look up the measurements but clearly I was not giving the task my full attention. They give two measurements, one for the size of the mattress and one for the size the quilt should be. No prizes for guessing which one I used. So instead of being a proper twin size i.e. 64" x 87", this is a small twin quilt....or a lap quilt.....or whatever.
The thing is I used all but three of the squares that Vicki gave me so if I had made it any bigger I would have run out of squares. Synergy, right folks?
This was my first time using a free motion stitch on a bigger piece. I used what I think is referred to as a meandering stitch. Andy calls it a wibbly wobbly stitch. Same thing. I had a little trouble at first keeping all the stitches an even size but it got easier as I went along and dang, it is quick. I never understood what all the fuss was about free motion quilting, but I tell ya', I'm a believer. I think I quilted this whole thing in about two hours.
So, a big thank you to Vicki for the lovely gift. I am excited for her to open her own etsy shop, where I am sure she will have enough vintage goodies to bring a tear to your eye, but I think she may have some more pressing issues right now. Namely the arrival of twins later this year. So exciting!
We've been having the most wonderful weather so we are out into the garden this weekend to scoop up the millions of helicopters in our newly landscaped lawn. Wishing you a sunny weekend!
Oh I just love your quilt! It's beautiful. I like the polka dots and binding you did.
Posted by: Liane | June 13, 2008 at 12:22 PM
Lovely lovely! What a great way to feature the fabrics without getting a design that's too busy.
One question: do you use a stitch regulator? I don't have one (and can't retrofit my machine with one because the model is too old--only from 10 yrs ago!). When I use free motion, I have a devil of a time getting even stitches when doing even just a meander. I keep trying the exercises in Sue Nickel's book on machine quilting (a great book!) but I'm still pretty bad at free motion.
Posted by: mikawendy | June 13, 2008 at 12:39 PM
oh, josie! I am in love with your new quilt. it is fabulous. and I'm already making plans to make a similar one! the pink blocks are the perfect match to the vintage fabrics. nice job!!!
Posted by: amandajean | June 13, 2008 at 01:10 PM
that is gorgeous! isn't vicki the best??? :)
Posted by: caren | June 13, 2008 at 01:24 PM
I love it. I can't believe it took you just 2 hours to do all the wibbly wobbly stitching, too.
Posted by: Lil' d | June 13, 2008 at 01:49 PM
oh, i love it! it is really really cute!
Posted by: erin | June 13, 2008 at 01:52 PM
I love the Liberty binding too. I have some Liberty stashed but still can't bear to cut into it. I still have to find the 'perfect' project for it.
Posted by: amanda | June 13, 2008 at 02:37 PM
You are amazing!! That quilt is awesome. I have to come watch you make one of these so I can learn something! Lets start with something easy... :)
You've been productive lately!
Posted by: tina | June 13, 2008 at 03:48 PM
Gorgeous work!! *swoon* :)
Posted by: Bean | June 13, 2008 at 03:57 PM
It's so lovely, you're such a prolific crafter, I can't imagine how you do it!
Posted by: the pesky bombolino | June 13, 2008 at 05:57 PM
O.k. I took a class and I can't do anything like that. Maybe I'll just buy fabric for YOU! You'll make better use of it than I do. As soon as I am off of this blasted sofa, I want to come and see how you get that meander pattern so perfect. Vintage sheets never looked so good. Great job. Great to see you today. It always cheers me up to see your happy face...Thanks for everything!!!!! Visit anytime.
Posted by: Vicki | June 13, 2008 at 08:02 PM
I've never quilted before, but this really makes me want to. So cute.
Posted by: sharleen | June 14, 2008 at 01:27 PM
What a beautiful quilt! The pink is so pretty with the vintage sheets. I love that liberty fabric too!
Posted by: shannon | June 14, 2008 at 06:41 PM
Simply stunning! I love the contrast between the brightness of the sheets and the pale pink! Truly, a job well done.
Posted by: erica | June 15, 2008 at 11:41 AM
Beautiful fabric choices. I love the old sheet square! Very inspiring!
Posted by: Martha | June 16, 2008 at 12:19 AM
Very nice! I take it you started in the centre of the quilt and then meandered to the edge? I love free-motion quilting though I hardly do it.
Posted by: Dorothee | June 16, 2008 at 04:47 AM
That is the most beautiful quilt I've seen in a long time!
Posted by: Amy | June 18, 2008 at 02:07 PM
This is a very lovely quilt, and yet another clue to me to learn how to machine quilt.
Posted by: Natalie | June 24, 2008 at 05:29 PM
How very wonderful! It is a beautiful quilt, and any bed would be lucky to have it, no matter the size. Well done.
Posted by: RobinE | June 24, 2008 at 05:42 PM
Oh...what a terrific project! I have a little girl down at my favourite thrift shop who saves "Brady Bunch" sheets for me, but I've been wasting them on totebags! LOL
Nancy-Rose
Posted by: Nancy-Rose | June 24, 2008 at 06:25 PM
What a beautiful quilt! I love that idea... I'm going to have to keep my eyes open for vintage sheets now. Thanks!
Posted by: Liz | June 24, 2008 at 08:27 PM
Wow! What a beautiful quilt!
Posted by: Allison | June 24, 2008 at 09:18 PM
Wow! What a beautiful quilt!
Posted by: Allison | June 24, 2008 at 09:23 PM
That quilt is perfection. I love vintage soooooo much. You did an amazing job on this.
Posted by: Carla | June 25, 2008 at 02:39 AM
wow, I love that quilt. You've even inspired me to give free motion quilting another go.
Posted by: Amy | June 25, 2008 at 03:54 AM
wow, you quilted that in 2 hours?! I just dropped off a garage sale quilt to be quilted for $70 because I was afraid I'd never get it done! Yeah...that $18 garage sale quilt's gonna cost me $80 to have quilted! (but it'll be done! less the binding...which I can handle. Yours is gorgeous!
Paula
Posted by: paula | June 25, 2008 at 07:16 AM
wow, I would have never guessed that you used sheets. It is beautiful and you did a great job.
Posted by: betsy | June 25, 2008 at 07:35 AM
Oh, wow, that is gorgeous! What a great use for old sheets.
Posted by: Elaine/Muddling Through | June 25, 2008 at 11:44 PM
So pretty!!
Posted by: Shelley Jo | June 28, 2008 at 09:02 AM
This is absolutely fabulous! I may have to hop on board with the great idea! So beautiful!
Posted by: dawn | June 28, 2008 at 10:47 AM
Oh, what an amazing quilt! You are GOOD!!! No, better than good. This is so lovely. I want some vintage sheets too!
~Emily in Norway
Posted by: Ravenhill | July 02, 2008 at 01:37 PM
Free Motion Quilting????....Yeah....but I'm scared!!!
Posted by: belinda | July 04, 2008 at 09:10 AM
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this quilt! I have some vintage sheet fat quarters coming my way, This quilt will totally be inspiration for me!
Posted by: Jodi | July 05, 2008 at 10:21 PM
this is FABULOUS!!!! you are truly a quilting genius!!
Posted by: kristin | July 14, 2008 at 03:00 PM
I m glad I found your blog.
What a great quilts do you make...WOW!
Love,
Maureen
Posted by: Maureen | July 18, 2008 at 08:38 AM
Wow... that is gorgeous. I am never really into vintage fabrics, but I am really loving this quilt!
Posted by: Shayla | July 22, 2008 at 10:21 PM
I love your quilt - beautiful. The design is simple and the result divine.
Posted by: Marit | July 27, 2008 at 05:16 AM
Love this quilt...just found your blog. I will be back. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: colleen | August 04, 2008 at 07:15 PM