Here is my entry to the Modern Mini competition, 'Vintage Notions'
This mini started with a quilt block that I have been working on for the Sew Out Loud quilt-a-long run by Julianna and Joanna and a big thankyou goes out to them for letting me preview it now in this mini. I wanted to show how one 12 inch block could easily be the starting point for a mini quilt. I know not everyone has time to make every quilt block in a quilt-a long and any of the Sew- a -long quilt blocks or many other quilt blocks would lend themselves to a mini.
My inspiration was a vintage sewing basket . I have a few of these that I pick up for a few pounds at car boot sales and keep vintage treasures in. These baskets often make me think about their previous owners: what they sewed, where the scraps and buttons and threads have come from.
This mini started with a quilt block that I have been working on for the Sew Out Loud quilt-a-long run by Julianna and Joanna and a big thankyou goes out to them for letting me preview it now in this mini. I wanted to show how one 12 inch block could easily be the starting point for a mini quilt. I know not everyone has time to make every quilt block in a quilt-a long and any of the Sew- a -long quilt blocks or many other quilt blocks would lend themselves to a mini.
My inspiration was a vintage sewing basket . I have a few of these that I pick up for a few pounds at car boot sales and keep vintage treasures in. These baskets often make me think about their previous owners: what they sewed, where the scraps and buttons and threads have come from.
Many of us are only able to sew and quilt because our skills have been taught to us and passed on by mothers, aunties and grandmothers. You might be lucky enough to have a sewing box or spools and tools that belonged to a relative and they thought of you when it was time to pass them on. Very little is new in quilting or sewing, we just reinvent, reinterpret what has gone before. We can pass our skills on over the web as well as in person, I just love that about the internet, the sharing. So this mini quilt celebrates all those things. Vintage notions that we use; the buttons and thread, vintage notions: the ideas that inspire us to make something new.
The centre sewing basket block, will be available to download from Monday 19th March, the spools will be shared with those attending Fat Quarterly Retreat in June-I am running a workshop about freezer paper, Y seams and spools and the quilt will act as a teaching aid/ security blanket to hide behind. I bought my train ticket yesterday, I can't wait!
The centre sewing basket block, will be available to download from Monday 19th March, the spools will be shared with those attending Fat Quarterly Retreat in June-I am running a workshop about freezer paper, Y seams and spools and the quilt will act as a teaching aid/ security blanket to hide behind. I bought my train ticket yesterday, I can't wait!
Technical details: 23" wide, 22" tall.
Freezer paper pieced, rotary cut piecing and a bit of free piecing.
Machine quilted and a bit of hand quilting.
There is a rouleau loop at the top of the basket for all you dres makers out there and the odd vintage button here and there.
Mini quilt single binding tutorial here.
And a thankyou to Jennifer for coming up with and organising the Mini Modern comp, I have really enjoyed seeing the blog hop contributions and ideas.
That's one fab mini quilt...so clever and beautifully sewn.
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful Kerry! I just love your style. And have fun teaching in London! That will be so fun. I REALLY wanted to make it but life has gotten in the way once again.
ReplyDeleteoh my gosh Kerry this is just too adorable! I'm absolutely heads over heels in love! fabulous job.
ReplyDeleteJessie, xo
This is so sweet, Kerry -- and so YOU! I love it.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had such a lovely sewing basket.... My mother taught me to hand sew in the most basic way, and I have happy early memories of afternoons spent sewing felt softies with button eyes -- but although (perhaps because) her own mother (my grandmother) was quite an accomplished seamstress, my mum's interests and creative energies were most definitely directed elsewhere (charcoal and paint). I have had to discover a world of needlecraft on my own, but I like to think it's in my genes, somewhere :)
Wish I could be in London this summer. A few years back my research brought me to the UK about twice a year, but I'm not able to travel much these days, boo hoo, however I do have a new project in mind that would require more UK-based research (!). I hope we get to meet in person someday!
I love this quilt because of all the great detail. I could spend ages looking at it and find some new thing I'd not seen before. Really wish I was going to FQ Retreat because it looks like there will be so much fun stuff to do!
ReplyDeleteKerry, this is another amazing creation and such a treat for the eyes. Your attention to detail creates a very beautiful end result.
ReplyDeleteThis is so incredible. I love the details. Stunning!!
ReplyDeletethat is wonderful! i really love all the little touches... :)
ReplyDeleteLove this quilt. When I first looked at it thought it was a computer tell I scrolled a little more down and saw the box totally love it.
ReplyDeleteRichard Healey
Absolutely stunning!! I can't wait to see your handiwork in real life xxx
ReplyDeleteHi! You have the best ideas! I'm sure all we sewers would love to have that mini quilt! It's so beautiful and you are so talented with every small detail! Thank you for inspiration and for a link to your tutorial!
ReplyDeletex Teje
Such a sweet mini!! It does remind me of my grandmother's sewing basket, you did so well capturing the vintage feeling!
ReplyDeleteI'm VERY new to quilting. Not so new to sewing. I sewed as achild but just started again as an adult. I hope someday to be this awesome. I love this mini!
ReplyDeleteIt's such a lovely mini. I always admire your clever ideas and this is no exception :)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, Kerry! This is amazing! I'm kinda speechless. I think I'm going to hunt through my fabric and try to make a sewing basket like this. Love this SOO much!!!
ReplyDeleteAMAZING! That is all ;)
ReplyDeleteStunning!! I love it so much!
ReplyDeleteI must confess that I'm a little relieved that the SOL block is contained within the mini quilt. I felt panic rising at first sight in the Flickr group :)
This is absolutely amazing! I wish I had half the talent that you have!! And half of the amazing fabrics that you use! :)
ReplyDeleteOh Kerry, this is just amazing! Seriously, your work is just awesome. I love your attention to detail. It would be heaven to take a class with you- wish I were going to the FQ retreat!
ReplyDeletedo you see my jaw hanging open? Well, trust me... it is. Simply beautiful.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful block, every time I take a look at it I see another great detail...wonderful work!
ReplyDeleteOoh, what a fab idea, I love it! Great fabric choices too! Good luck :o)
ReplyDeletewow, this is beautiful and amazing! great job! your work is so inspiring. best wishes with your mini quilt. :) xo
ReplyDeleteThis mini made me smile from picture through the entire story! It's creative and fun and awe inspiring!
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely little sewing basket! So many sweet details!
ReplyDeleteSo adorable! :)
ReplyDeleteman, i really hope you win! you deserve to with this little jewel! love it and those small notions are adorable... safety pins, buttons, thimble, love it!
ReplyDeleteThe lovely little details in this are wonderful - such a beautiful quilt! Brings back memories of my first sewing basket too:)
ReplyDeletewow what truly amazing work, the attention to detail and your fabric choices = beautiful, beautiful results. oh how I wish I was going to the FQ retreat.
ReplyDeletethat is amazing!
ReplyDeleteOh. My. Goodness. Kerry! You are kidding! This is waaaay beyond amazing! I spent such a long time studying each and little detail in this mini that makes it such an adorable master piece of yours! It's hard, very hard to pick a favorite thing about it, but I really love the way you fussy cut so many lovely sewing goodies! You are so clever! I'm so loving this mini!
ReplyDeleteit is AMAZING!! i love it all!!
ReplyDeleteAmazing, I love this so much.
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely fantastic!! Do we actually get to do this for SOL??!! I am frothing at the mouth in excitement!
ReplyDeleteBoth fantastic and fun, Kerry! I would love to come along for the booth sales with you ; )
ReplyDeleteThis is very cute! It seems a perfect way to display a few of your favorite vintage items too! (eg: buttons, snaps,etc.) Thanks for sharing this! ~ Lynda
ReplyDelete(You might get more comments if it wasn't so limited and hard to post them. Just a friendly suggestion. ;) )
Could you let me know what difficulties you have? I have no limits set on the comments- anyone can comment including anonymous and there is no comment moderation so I don't know what limits there are! Please let me know
DeleteOH! I'm sorry Kerry. I hope you didn't think I was being rude, it wasn't my intention!
DeleteI work from Wordpress and the comments act like they are going through (I can see them flash to the screen, and then they disappear. I had the same problem with Open ID too. I ended up using "Name URL" and it finally took. This seems to be a recent problem with almost all of the Blogspot sites I subscribe to. Thanks for asking, Lynda
Hi Lynda
DeleteDon't worry I didn't think you were being rude! I have no restrictions on because I like openness and accessibility and I just delete any spam that arises. Blogger is being difficul at the moment, the settings for comments seem to be set by blogger and not by the users which does make it rather frustrating as I can't see anything I can do, sorry
Kerry
Wow Kerry, this is amazing!! One of your best ones yet.
ReplyDeleteI'm gutted that I can't come to the Fat Quarterly Retreat - I would have loved to have got stuck into some freezer paper piecing. But the dates clash unfortunately.
I hope it all goes really well for you - they are a lucky bunch to have you.
as I said before, Kerry, I love this block and the mini you've made it into is so fun. Impeccable work as always!
ReplyDelete