EZ Speak Pub Gal

  This small art quilt was inspired by the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, KY challenge using the 1920's as inspiration. It got accepted as a finalist but did not place. I don't even care! I felt so honored that she gets to be on display at the Museum for a few months! 

I designed this using EQ8 Software. I used Drunkards Path blocks which I thought were appropriate given the times and prohibition! I used a magazine picture of a woman for the silhouette of the woman and drew the dress and accessories on to create a freezer paper pattern. Same for the old refcord player. I hand stitched the woman completely. I quilted all around her with a digital pattern and Longarm Sewing machine. I did decide afterwards I should have tacked down the woman after I quilted her, but I did not-which caused her to puff out a bit. You learn something every time!

Treasures Left Behind

Several months ago, one of my coworkers at Over the Top Quilting Studio brought in this plain brown box, maybe a hat box? When she opened it up and I peered inside, I was amazed at the contents. Tons and tons of paper pieced hexagon blocks from a time gone by.  The story is that a man took this unfinished quilt top to an appraiser to see if she knew anyone who would be willing to piece it. I believe it belonged to his mother. I was so taken with the perfection of the pieces and the neatness of their placement in that box. We call them unfinished objects (UFO's). Who knows why this top was discarded. Perhaps the maker had another more exciting project? Maybe she did not like the colors? Could it be that life got in the way and she no longer had the time to quilt? Oh so many thoughts come to mind. 

You would be surprised how often people bring similar items to the quilt studio seeking assistance with repair or construction. I have seen so many beautiful and sometimes tattered and weathered quilt tops. I feel honored to get to be part of their resurrection.  It seems like the stories are usually the same.  "Mom passed away, we were cleaning out her house.....we found these in the attic...". Something like that.  Often times, it is very emotional as we help our customers decide on their preferences for quilting and finishing their treasure. 

Back to the hat box. Upon closer examination of the hexagon blocks, you can see the newspaper is quite old.  Look at the price of those tires! WHAT?! The car ad is about a 1959 model. Look at that story on Jimmy Hoffa! It is just so interesting. 

I have several quilts started that may never get finished. I imagine what my kids will find when they clean out my estate. I think about this every time someone brings one of these quilts in to the shop.  

This is the quilt top being constructed. 

 Many thanks to Shari Heacock Sloane for her beautiful construction of this treasure and for all of the photos.