When I saw that Angie over at Gnome Angel was organising a SAL for the Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt I decided that would make the perfect take along project. You see I bought the book when it first came out in 2009 and it has been sitting on the shelf ever since 😀
You can find details of the SAL here https://www.gnomeangel.com/farmers-wife-1920s-sampler-quilt-sew-along-faq/ Angie is using EPP with precut papers from paper pieces. I did briefly consider doing the same, but they are quite expensive and I am saving for a very special birthday present (more on that later!) I decided to hand piece my blocks, so I simply printed the templates and laminated them. This method works really well for templates that you only need to use a few times and it's much more accurate than tracing. I use a small 1/8th" hole punch to mark a hole at the corners.
I often start off these projects with great enthusiasm, and then lose my way part way through when I forget what my original plan was! For this to work I need to be organised as this will be a long term carry along project for me. I had a couple of F1/8th bundles of Brenda Riddle Moda fabric in 'Fleur' and 'Guernsey' which I thought might play nicely with some Lecien yardage I have been hoarding and a Marsha McCluskey staples pindot in pink. If I can make this quilt entirely from stash then I will be very happy 🤗
I am using the templates to roughly cut a big enough piece of fabric for each of the pieces in the block and then storing them in small bags, I will accurately cut my pieces when I am ready to make the block. I thought that if I had all the fabrics chosen, it would make it easier to just pick and bag and make a block.
I am also using the book like a diary, writing on the date I make a block and anything that happened that day along with sticking a piece of the fabric I used onto the pages, it should make a nice memory record of the quilt and it will be interesting to see how long it actually takes me 😝
I have all my tools and threads etc in the sewing pouch I made a couple of months ago, details HERE
and an old square ruler covered in felt that serves as a design board
I have put all of the bags, the book etc into this lovely canvas bag a friend gave me for my birthday last year as it reminded her of my cottage.
I have an old box that a salad bowl came in, which is the perfect size for storing finished blocks. I don't think I have ever been so organised 😂
It does sound as though you will need to be organised, but I love the idea of using the book as a journal..
ReplyDeleteyes, I always thought it was wrong to write in books, but I think for a project like this it will be fun to look back
Deletegood luck you are organized too so that should help. I noticed paper pieces has a Dear Jane package too - so pricey!! just like this one. I had this book and I made about 24 or so blocks from it and put them together into a small quilt I just grew tired of it - I hope you can follow though and I will look forward to seeing your quilt grow. Good idea on lamenting.
ReplyDeleteI loved the idea of the precut papers but they were just too expensive for me to justify - I would rather spend the money on fabrics
DeleteYour organizational skills on this project is amazing. I look forward to seeing your progress
ReplyDeleteI hope it will help, I am not naturally organised!
DeleteI bought that book way back then also. I found many of the patterns in EQ6 and drafted up the rest for foundation piecing. Fortunately I had printed off all the patterns before my computer crashed and I lost 3 months of documents not backed up. I have often looked at it and contemplated making is since I really am a farmers wife but did not decide on a colour scheme other than from stash. You are super organized.
ReplyDeleteI am not normally super organised! I decided to stick to a colour scheme and chose all the fabrics at the start to make it (hopefully) easier as I go on.
DeleteI like your idea of cutting out pieces of fabric in sizes so you can cut them as you need them thus keeping in mind how it all fits together. The fabrics you have pulled are really lovely.
ReplyDeleteI always think I will remember my original colour ideas etc and I never do, at least this way I can make sure I have enough fabric and that the colours will be spread throughout the quilt
DeleteThis is a wonderful project and one I started many years ago and like you organised myself so it could be taken up at any time. I have now completed 73 blocks but have combined machine and hand piecing although I must admit I often achieve more with the hand piecing because it is so portable. I set myself a personal challenge by using scraps and never the same fabric in more than one block. Good luck with yours and I am sure mine will eventually get to the finishing line.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of combining machine and hand piecing, I might do that for some of the simpler blocks. I do find I make more progress on hand work as you say it is more portable :)
DeleteIt seems that you have all the prep done and your sewing group seems the perfect space to work on your project.
ReplyDeleteI hope it works, I really just wanted a project that I could pick up and put down without giving it too much thought
DeleteLove the way you're organizing this project... Hope some of this will help me with my quilts...
ReplyDeleteI think with a long term project like this it is the only way to make progress, otherwise I forget my original plans :)
DeleteI've tried that one and lost my way a couple of times. I wish you luck. The fabrics you've chosen are absolutely yummy! Can't wait to follow your progress.
ReplyDeleteI love the Farmer's Wife Sampler quilt, but there are oh so many little blocks. A great project for a weekly stitching get together though. Love your fabrics.
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