Amish Buggy Quilt Completed

So it turns out the "technical difficulty" with my new camera was me.
Go figure!
Thanks to hubby for pointing out my error.
He's better about the technical stuff than I am--it's that engineer brain of his.

Anyway, I think I am back in business.
Once again I sent one of my quilts on a journey to get quilted by Lynn.

I took this completed top to our niece's wedding in Nebraska in May. Our parents took it with them to Utah right after that and left it with Emily.  She took it to Lynn where she did a nice job with my quilting request. And then when we were just out there a few weeks ago I picked it up.  Last Wednesday night while everyone was at Church activities I finished the binding and now it is DONE!  Yeah!







Details:

• Finished dimensions approx. 65 inches by 73 inches.
• Blue border cut 2 inch strips
• Brown border cut 3 inch strips
• 7 blocks by 8 blocks--tutorial for block here, though we did 2 1/2inch blocks not 2 1/4 inch.

Rectangle spiral quilting--a little modern touch.

Previous post about this quilt.

Amish Buggy Block Quilt

Sometimes I just need to sit down and sew.
That would be most of the last 2 weeks, though it didn't actually happen that way.

It had been ugly weather outside thanks to our lovely "Spring" storms.
Nothing Spring about it.
We are still in the throes of Winter here.
I actually saw a sign outside the vet's office that read, "We're having a lovely Winter this Spring".
That about sums it up.
One morning my kids hit the bus stop with thundersnow happening.
It was a little freaky to say the least---seeing flashes of lightning while it was snowing.
The record snow fall in April is a bit ridiculous.
We don't care about the records.
We all just want it gone.
Seriously, it is killing us.
You know it is bad when even the Minnesotans are complaining.
We're so done with Winter!

Enough complaining.......unless we get even more snow down the road......
Thankfully today we are going to hit 70.  The Hallelujah chorus sings in the background.  We can't hardly believe.  I'll be eating lunch outside today....just because I can.

I finished both the top and the back for the Amish Buggy block swap that Emily started last Fall.


Top pre border attached.

With borders

Blue border cut 2" strips to finish at 1 1/2 inches.
Brown border cut 3" strips
I plan on binding it with the same brown.

The back.

The yellow piece is brighter than it is showing up in this picture.

Now to decide whether to quilt it myself or send it to Lynn.
I'm leaning towards Lynn out of pure laziness.

Colorful

I started working on the layout for my Amish Blocks this week.  I found that because of the layout I chose I needed to make a few more blocks to fill in the blanks.  It took me awhile to settle on color combos for those blocks since I was trying to balance all the colors out.  I'm not sure that I succeeded, but the extra blocks were made and inserted none the less.

I'm going with a 6 by 8 layout which gives the finished dimensions of 48" by 64."  I want it to end up a twin so I'm going to add some borders to round out the size.  Hopefully the vision I have in my head translates to well to reality.  Right now I'm only seeing blocks that I probably should've shuffled around and didn't... Oh well. I don't unpick.

While the blocks have been hanging out on my sewing room floor my oldest (13yr old son) has been saying things like, "Wow, that's a colorful quilt!" each time he walks by.  When I ask him if that means he likes it, he says, "Ya, it's cool...it's just that it's reeeaaally colorful."

Maybe the Amish would scoff at my interpretation, but I think it's coming along beautifully.  

Kind of reminds me of the 80's a bit, too.

It's definitely bright!

Emily

P.S. I'm loving Amber's version.  It was an idea from Quilty magazine.  If we do a 2nd round for this swap I am going in that direction for sure!  Jodi's is going true 80's style! Also, a cool one.  :)

Another Amish Buggy Blocks Update

Just a quick update for those playing along:
The deadline for mailing blocks is fast approaching. (Please mail by MONDAY July 16th) Blocks have been arriving in my mailbox and they are beautiful!  I am pretty excited to start swapping.  Again, the flickr group is providing lots of eye candy in the form of finished blocks if you need some motivation.

Here are the blocks that Renae and I have made so far:

Blocks by Renae

Blocks by Emily

Also, I am trying to get my mailing address to a few participants (over yonder and krum family)

but can't seem to find your emails on your blogs or profile. If you email me I will give it to you right away so you can send your blocks.  Thanks!  emilylovesbaskets@msn.com

Amish Buggy Update

Just a quick update for those that are participating in the block swap but are not regularly checking flickr.  Finished blocks are starting to pop up in the photo stream and they are looking awesome!!  As of today we have 14 participants.  (You can sign up anytime as the mail date isn't until July 15th)

There is also a discussion going on about what is a "true" Amish color.  From my research (google!), "true" Amish quilts use dark, muted colors (red, blue, black, purple) with pastels (pink, light blues, light greens, etc) only creeping in from the use of children's clothing (I don't think adults wear pastels).  The use of yellow and orange is avoided as these colors are considered "too flashy."  Since I am making a loose interpretation of an Amish quilt I don't mind yellow/orange.  But I guess you get to decide if you want a "true" quilt or a "loose interpretation."

By the way, I have yet to make a single block for this swap.  I've pulled fabrics, but no cutting.  Maybe tonight while my boys are camping and my girls are watching a girly movie I can get started.  Fingers crossed...

Here is a decidedly non-Amish quilt using the same blocks that is equally as cool as the original inspiration!!

Happy Sewing!

Emily

Inroducing the Amish Buggy Block Swap

I have been intrigued with Amish Quilts for some time now.  They are beautiful in their simplicity, timeless in their design, and all out amazing in my book!

When I came across this quilt I knew I wanted to replicate it.  And what better way than with a block swap.  (You know I love a good block swap!)

So, I am happy to introduce our very first block swap! Yay!

 

Here's how it will work:

1. Everyone will use their own fabrics.  ~ The only stipulations on fabric are that it MUST be a true solid (NO print on print), NO white,  and nothing too thin (if you can see thru it, don't use it).  Other than that, use whatever you have on hand.  Just remember the golden rule of swapping: Don't swap what you wouldn't want in return!

2. Feel free to send in as many blocks as you want in groups of 5.  So if you want to make some potholders, send in 5 ~ a small wall hanging, send 10 ~ how about a small throw, send in 40.  Whatever number you feel comfortable making.  (I'm aiming for 40 for myself.)

Your blocks CAN ALL be made from the same 2 fabrics.  The variety will come when we swap those with what others have sent in.

3. When your blocks are finished you will mail them to me along with a Self Addressed Stamped Envelope.  Shipping Deadline will be July 15th. Please make sure you attach the correct amount of postage to both envelopes you are mailing.  Also please include a card with your name/address and # of blocks you sent so I can keep track of everyone.

4.  Once I receive everyone's blocks I will mix them up and send them back out.  You will get back the same amount of blocks as you sent in. 

Block Directions:  We will be using this tutorial, except that we will be using 2 1/2 inch strips, NOT 2 1/4".  Your block should measure 8.5 inches unfinished.

So, who's in?!

If you are active on flickr you can sign up here.

Not on flickr? Just sign up on this post.  Easy as that.

(I've read and re-read this post a million times, so I have no idea if it even makes sense anymore. Feel free to ask questions if you need clarification...)

*Pictures and directions used with permission from Karen Griska*