Sunday, February 5, 2017

The 25TH Block!

The 25th block of the Pastor's Attic quilt is finished! 

This is a great feeling of accomplishment. The applique process for this quilt started in November 2015.


Here are all the blocks in their layout. I've been switching them around and I think this is the way they will be sewn together. I am going to turn the top corner blocks so the vase is on the outside and the two side basket on their side. You'll see what I mean when they're sewn together.

That bright light on the left side of the quilt is a natural phenomena that has occurred occasionally this winter. It's called sunshine. 

I've arranged my blocks differently than they are in the original quilt. I made some of the blocks light so I've tried to distribute them through the quilt.

I've started changing the french knots for circles. When the circles are finished, I'll trim the blocks to size, then sew them together.

A commenter asked me what my next applique project is going to be. Well . . . after I get these blocks sewn together, there are borders to be appliqued. The work on this quilt isn't finished yet.


I don't like the zig-zag of the border applique in the book, so I will simplify my applique and make it straight. I'm thinking maybe 3 sections on each side.

I do want flowers in the corners but I don't think the stems will be as long as the picture. But I'm not sure about that, I'll do the vine/leaves/flowers first.

I had thought about making a narrow red HST border before the outside border, but I've decided not to. I like the gentle simplicity of the background fabric.

As you can see, there is plenty of applique in my future to post about on upcoming Sundays. I hope you haven't grown too tired of this quilt. I will be exceedingly happy if the top is completed (but not quilted) by the end of this year. Thanks for following along on this journey.

Linking to - Kathy's Slow Sunday StitchingQuilting is More Fun than Housework, Em's ScrapbagLove Laugh Quilt, Fiber TuesdayEsther's Wednesday WOW!, My Quilt Infatuation, Finished Or Not FridayCrazy Mom Quilts, Confessions of a Fabric Addict

26 comments:

The Cozy Quilter said...

This project is a labour of love. Beautiful blocks! I'm looking forward to seeing your version of the border.

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

Congratulations ; I've enjoyed seeing these blocks throughout the year. I cracked up at your phenomena...been the same here ; rather a dreary winter.

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

Good idea on turning the basket blocks, that will make the quilt non-directional. Great job!!

CathieJ said...

Your changes with those basket blocks made me smile, because my symmetrical mind was thinking of those changes before you mentioned them. This quilt is gorgeous.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

the quilt is looking great - sometimes the original border on these quilts were so fancy and so many pieces that I have to change them too. I wonder at times how long these quilts took to make and was it a wealthy person who had servants or a regular person who had all the housework to do too - I'm thinking a wealthy person did this one or it would have taken years and years to do as a normal housewife had so much work to do she probably didn't have time for fancy

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

Congratulations on finishing 25 blocks! They are so beautiful, and have lots of wonderful detail to look at. It will be fun to see what you do with the borders.

Karen said...

Hurray on #25. I found it interesting to read about your border plans. It will make the quilt uniquely your own.

Deb A said...

Congrats on the #25 finish! All those blocks look lovely together. I think your idea for the border sounds like a great finishing touch - and no, we are not sick of seeing this project. Love watching this one progress.

Cynthia Brunz Designs said...

I look forward to seeing how you adjust your border layout. I know you will come up with something brilliant. Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!

Jill said...

Such a pretty applique block. 25 blocks are a huge accomplishment especially when they are nicely detailed. Changing the pattern makes it more of your own design.

Chopin - A Passionate Quilter said...

What a work of art. There are a lot of hours in this quilt and it is going to be a beautiful heirloom Gretchen. Proud of you and your passion for applique and quilting. You know Pastor's Quilt is on my list - need to see if I can push it up higher on the list!

Jo said...

Good to be able to change things around to make it yours..

Gretchen Weaver said...

Thank you, it feels so good to finally have these blocks sewn together.

Gretchen Weaver said...

I don't know if my borders will be brilliant but I know I will like them better than the book.

Gretchen Weaver said...

I used to think I shouldn't change from the original pattern, how I've changed!

Gretchen Weaver said...

Deciding on the fabrics to use was the hard decision. Once that decision was made, I could get on with the applique.

Gretchen Weaver said...

Thank you. I know I will like the borders better doing them my way.

Lynne Stucke said...

Congratulations!! What an accomplishment!!! Your blocks are just beautiful, and beautifully arranged. And, I agree with you and Cathie J about the 4 baskets in the corners. It would have driven me mad, too.

May I very quietly suggest you rethink straight vines on the borders? That would create quite a bit of straight and box-like empty space in a visually full, curvy quilt. Of course, you could always fill it with beautiful hand quilting . . . But, maybe a curved vine (as opposed to the zig-zag) might be more visually pleasing to you? Just a thought. The changes you've already made are absolutely fantastic, so who do I think I am to make any (though well-meant) suggestions???

That you for your blog. I always enjoy reading it! (lynnstck[at]yahoo.com)

Gretchen Weaver said...

Thanks for the suggestion, that is a good idea to consider. I am planning to do a lot of fancy hand quilting but wasn't sure how to incorporate the applique design into the quilting. OK, you've given me more to think about. After all the work I've already done, I don't want to ruin it by hurrying the borders along. Thanks for the suggestion.

Carrolyn V said...

What a beautiful quilt! Such eye candy on this snowy, windy February morning. I will dream of applique-ing while shoveling the additional 14 inches that came last nite! Snow-ma-gedon for sure up here.....then too tired to sew after plowing, shoveling!

Sue said...

What a beautiful Quilt Gretchen. Your blocks are amazing. You are inspiring me to get some of the applique blocks I am making....finished! I agree about the border. What you have in mind sounds great.

Sewmotion said...

Congratulations on block 25, these are so beautiful and will look stunning when you're complete, it sounds like you're really enjoying the process!

Jenny said...

What a great achievement - 25 blocks!! Congratulations indeed.

Janice Holton said...

Hi Gretchen, I don't know how you appliquers do it. That totally intimidates me but the results sure are gorgeous!

Glenda said...

Dear Gretchen a lovely lovely quilt almost there, your blocks are beautiful, not sure how you have the patience to make so many blocks LOL. while you are in miserable cold weather Australia is have its highest temps on record many over 40C and in some places it has hit 47C I feel so so sorry for the babies and elderly when these terrible heat waves hit these places, many bush fires are raging out of control and many homes lost. Here we are in the Northern tip of Australia having floods its a strange place some times . Hugs Glenda

Quilter Kathy said...

Such a beautiful project... you can make the borders any way you like :)