KNOWLEDGE IS POWER, BUT IT DOESN'T MAKE MY BLOW DRYER RUN!

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Vintage Goodness


As much as I like modern quilting I also love vintage things. In many ways they feel very modern and cutting edge.


I had these vintage star blocks hanging around for a while and as much as I like them, there was a reason they were blocks and not a quilt. Every block was a different size and not one of them were a square!


notice the cut off point of the blue triangle

That made me love them all the more. It meant I could have a carefree sewing day (once they were squared up) and not worry about matching points or even centers of blocks.



This was the only block with a strong red print, so I put it in the center, otherwise I let them go together with almost no thought.
This is my nod to the modern part, I quilted it with random straight lines, and a nod to the vintage part in that they all are not straight or perfect.



It needed a back that complimented the front. I didn't want to use up a good piece of vintage fabric and found this in my stash, perfect!



I spent way longer than I thought searching for a binding. All along I was planning on a solid probably lightish blue. Nothing solid looked right, they were all too harsh and I wanted it to reflect the fabrics. So out came the vintage stack. This one practically called my name.



I think this is a good match with both the front and the back!



So here is the final product. Runners are the worst to photograph!



I took a leap of faith and threw it in the washer and dryer. I love all the texture and it feels soft, just like an old quilt. I am thinking it has more to do with the fabric than the batting??
I makes me happy to take someone's orphan blocks and turn them into something useful. I also enjoy that vintage vibe they give off and will look forward to putting this on the table.
This little project has given me lots of ideas.....

Kelly

21 comments:

  1. Oh yum! Gorgeous project. I really love 1930s vintage quilts and fabrics.
    I think you are right, the softness comes from the fabrics. At the moment I am hand quilting a quilt where I used a vintage sheet as the backing. It already feels so soft and cuddly.

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  2. I Love that project! I guess I must be "vintage"--as a lot of my points get cut off, too (hah!); am working more slowly and trying to really get a "feel" for matching opposing seams and having good points. When my old Pfaff got sick and I got Helga, I seem to have lost my abilities to do these things. It couldn't just be aging...(or "advancing", as my 95-yr old Mom calls it...lol) hugs, Julierose

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  3. I love the vintage fabrics. Such a soft cuddly appearance. They are also bright and cheerful. They have been put to good use.

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  4. This is such a gorgeous table runner, I can see how it would have been so fun to make!! The blocks are so wonderful with their pretty fabrics!! The cut off points add to the interest and charm. I really like the straight line quilting, it adds a great texture.

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  5. Vintage is Modern! A tweek here and there is what sets it apart in my mind. What a wonderful runner!!!

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  6. Table runners are really hard to photograph! Love yours.:) The vintage really does have a modern vibe these days.

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  7. oh I just love this, beautiful, love, love, love the way you quilted it!
    binding choice perfect! very fun runner.
    hope your keeping this one for yourself
    Kathie

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  8. I love that you have turned this possible 'ugly duckling' into a pretty and useful table runner! The backing and binding are just perfect!

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  9. I adore new quilts that look old. great vintage blocks make new again and then old through washing!
    wonderful! I wish I could feel how soft and old it looks.

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  10. I love the vintage look with the modern quilting. And it is so pretty all crinkly and ready to use.

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  11. Love it! Great job putting these vintage blocks to good use.

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  12. You make the coolest stuff!!!!!!!

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  13. Your table runner has a designer look to it. That print for binding is gorgeous! it looks beautiful with straight line quilting.

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  14. Wow is that pretty. I love how you use color. And how you can turn vintage into modern. The quilting isa perfect fit for this runner.

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  15. The best of both worlds!! Beautifully done, as always!!

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  16. Why is it I love everything you do? Then I try to do something similar and it doesn't work? There's a lesson here...

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  17. There are reasons why blocks are left as blocks no matter the era. Love what you did with the quilting. Now the star blocks are no longer orphans.

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  18. OH! OH! This is just so crazy good!! I think you did a fantastic job in keeping it vintage-ee!

    I.LIKE.

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