Friday, January 3, 2020

Grandma's Embroidered Blocks

I have several unfinished projects from the quilt retreat in November so I decided I had better get to work on finishing them. 

The project at the top of the list is Grandma's Embroidered quilt blocks. I had decided I was going to use a garden maze border between the blocks. I used this tutorial from Quilts by Elsie for the maze directions.



 It was very windy out and couldn't get great pictures. I had one set up that looked so nice on a snow drift but I wasn't fast enough and it started to blow away. You'll just have to settle for the pictures on the clothesline.



I wanted simple borders but something more interesting then sashing and cornerstones. I like the way the flimsy has turned out. Now she's going into the to be hand quilted closet until her turn comes for quilting.


From a distance, you clearly see the garden maze. When you are close up, you just see a star!

She measures 68-1/2" square . The blue is a Kona fabric and the white is a 'old' white by Moda.


On my last post about this project, someone asked if I'd show close ups of the embroidered blocks. I didn't take pictures of the individual blocks, there's 25 blocks, that's too many pictures! 

Here are the blocks in groups. These pictures were taken inside the house and there is some glare. Whenever this quilt makes it into the quiting frame, I'll be showing individual pictures of each block as it's quilted which should be better quality than these.

















Grandma used more than 3 strands of thread. The embroidery shows very nicely. 

Linking to Peacock Party, Confessions of a Fabric Addict, TGIFF!Finished Or Not Friday, Brag About Your Beauties, UFO Busting

15 comments:

Frédérique - Quilting Patchwork Appliqué said...

Pretty! Love these embroideries

Ellie said...

You are so fortunate to have this lovely collection of blocks! And you have done a wonderful job setting them. This is going to make a spectacular quilt and Grandma would be pleased!

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

this is so beautiful!!! I like it on the clothes line.... it is safer there than the when the wind helps!! Enjoy the hand quilting on it!!

Leanne Parsons said...

That collection of embroidered blocks is quite a treasure! You definitely did them justice with that setting and hand quilting will be the perfect way to finish it off :) Thanks for linking to TGIFF this week!

Lisa J. said...

This is just beautiful. The blue is such a nice frame for those wonderful embroidered blocks

Home Sewn By Us said...

Hi Gretchen! These blocks were made by your Grandmother? They are beautiful and it reminds me so much of the work my neighbor had me start doing when I was young. She taught me a variety of stitches like the French Knot and running stitch. The sashing is unique and really sets off each block so nicely, yet it doesn't overpower them. What a treasure this will be when it's all complete - I hope it makes it to the top of the pile sooner than later. ~smile~ Roseanne

grammajudyb said...

I love the garden maze setting! I have some embroidered blocks that will soon need to be set! Thanks for the inspiration!

Pamela Arbour said...

You are going to have a beautiful quilt.

Created by Kathi said...

Gretchen, I love how you set these blocks with the maze sashing and cornerstones... looks so awesome!!! You always offer something I love when I come visit you :) I saved the tutorial on the sashing too. :) Thanks for the link! Those embroidered blocks deserved such a cool setting and the embroidery does show nicely! Kathi

Kate said...

What a beautiful way to set those embroidered blocks. Love the blue and white. It's definitely going to be heirloom when it's all finished.

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

Love your Grandma blocks.

Karla (ThreadBndr) said...

What a great setting! Those are some very lovely blocks.

K Reeves said...

The maze works so well with the simplicity of the embroidery, what a lovely heirloom this is!

QuiltGranma said...

I agree!

dq said...

I am going to have to try 3 strands or more. I always use two and they don't show up to my liking. This is a great finish!