Molly returned to Tokyo on Sunday after nine days at home and thus ended my *spring break*. Monday it was back to work, putting the house back together and resuming my culling of storage areas in anticipation of the upcoming move. Look what I came across in one of my quilt closets! I had purchased this quilt top on eBay just before we left Cleveland seven years ago and it's been folded up, pretty much forgotten, since.
It's a fun piece, a little wonky but with lots of nice details. I especially like the color palette...those cool grays and blues set against the pink and green centers. A nice melding of scrappy with a bit of a plan.
Many of the blocks have small (sometimes tiny!) triangles sewn into the corners. Although this may at first have been an effort to extend a scrap strip, I'm inclined to think that the maker liked the look since it's repeated so often throughout. They really do add a spark of visual interest!
This is my favorite section, with the one, red, four-patch of half square triangles. It *pops* a little more in real life than it does in my photos.
The blocks were sewn on to foundation blocks, some of which were patched as well. It looks like the center pink and green squares were assembled first, centered on a piece of muslin (or in several blocks, a black and white print) and then strips of scrap were sewn by hand around it, log cabin fashion. They're joined by a scant, ΒΌ" seam, which is a little bulky, due to the foundation piecing and the narrowness of seam. This might need to be addressed if I take it further.
I brought it to my quilt group meeting yesterday so that I could hang and photograph it and the big question was what are my plans for it? Since until this week I hadn't given it a thought, at the moment, *nothing*. For the time being, it's folded up, returned to its space.
So what are you waiting for...go clean out your closets! You never know what you might find.
Very cool; I loved seeing this quirky top!
Posted by: Jan Smith | March 31, 2011 at 04:50 PM
Thanks for sharing that quilt top with us. It is adorable. Have fun getting the house ready. Your previous post has inspired me to look at what I have, not just quilting stuff either. ;)
Posted by: Meredith | March 31, 2011 at 05:47 PM
What a wonderful quilt top! Love how the blocks go together.Sort Gee's Bend-ish. I received another carload (of my best friend who died )from her daughter, of her things, this time all unfinished quilts,blocks, pieces etc. I don't know where to start. I know she would want something done with them, and there's a sweet group of Sunbonnet Sue blocks that I am thinking her new great-granddaughter should have a quilt made from... I love that something we make lives on...I am sure where ever this person who made yours is they would be happy to know it has a home with you.
Posted by: Redsoxgal | March 31, 2011 at 07:51 PM
Don't you love antique quilt tops? I love looking at them, wondering what the quilter was thinking. It's so interesting that your blocks were attached to a foundation. Do you think you'll quilt it? Good luck with getting the house ready.
Posted by: Thimbleanna | March 31, 2011 at 08:51 PM
Aren't those the best surprises ever ???
where will you be moving to ?
Posted by: Izzy | March 31, 2011 at 09:29 PM
I'm certainly not going to find anything as terrific as this!
Posted by: blackbird | March 31, 2011 at 09:59 PM
Hmmm... that's a scary thought...you are right..never know what one can find!!! The quilt is lovely!
Maria
Posted by: Maria Neill | March 31, 2011 at 10:53 PM
What a lovely top! I'm glad to hear Molly is back home.
Posted by: Kristin | April 01, 2011 at 02:05 AM
oh my just look at that pink and green just popping out!
LOVE this quilt. lucky you! what a great surprise.
I am so happy you were able to spend a week with Molly, what a treat, not under the circumstances that got her home but still a whole unplanned week great for both of you I am sure.
good luck with the closet cleaning and you know where to send all the extra repros!
Kathie
Posted by: kathie | April 01, 2011 at 04:32 AM
I think it's gorgeous. Do you know how old it is?
Glad you got to spend time with Molly and best of luck with the clear out!
Posted by: Clare | April 01, 2011 at 04:39 AM
Such a neat quilt! I want that striking poison green fabric!!!
Posted by: Tara Darr | April 01, 2011 at 07:02 AM
That is an interesting piece. The poison green gives it spirit.
Posted by: Karen Beigh | April 01, 2011 at 07:55 AM
What a cool top--wonky and wonderful! You need to give this one some thought (in your free time... :-O ). It deserves a finish.
Posted by: KathieB | April 01, 2011 at 11:08 AM
What a fun piece! So lively and happy. Hmm, I didn't find anything nearly this fun when I was clearing out some (a few...) things recently. In fact: I THREW AWAY FABRIC. I did find portion of my button trove. Glad to know where those are once again. Wait....where are those again? :-b Hope everything goes well with Molly back in Japan!
Posted by: amy | April 01, 2011 at 05:24 PM
Man o man - just love everything about this quilt! The colors and quirkiness are just wonderful. Glad you had a nice visit with your daughter!
Posted by: Dixie | April 01, 2011 at 08:47 PM
I'm glad you got an unexpected holiday with your daughter. now don't just watch the news!!! wheeee, what a fun quilt top. love it. only wish I had something that fun waiting in closets.
Posted by: Tonya Ricucci | April 03, 2011 at 08:13 AM
Thank you for the tip on my blog about what my lavender fabric is - I really appreciate it and hope to find some more for my stash. It's funny how there are some fabrics that just grow on you and you end up not wanting to be without them.
I've been reading your posts on Molly, and Japan and Keiko G. I'm so glad this part of the disaster is coming out well. I hadn't realized that Keiko was from Sendai -and I'm kind of happy that I didn't know earlier. This way I found out she was ok right away! You must have gone through some very nervous days. How good is was that Molly got to visit at home.
Oh, and this vintage quilt top is so fun - loving all of the quirky bits. Thanks for sharing and good luck with the move.
Posted by: Lucinda Jones | April 03, 2011 at 08:44 PM
What an amazing quilt! I love the pink/green pieces. I might try to make something like that. Rather than put that back in your closet, why not send it to me??? I will (tastefully) machine quilt it for you & send it back. It might not be hand quilted, but it will be finished and you can use it. Think about it....
Posted by: Pam | April 04, 2011 at 08:28 AM
I'll bet it was sad to see Molly go? Best wishes to her.
I LOVE that quilt top! It has tons of charm..every quirky bit of it. :)
Posted by: Ann Champion | April 04, 2011 at 02:51 PM
THAT is my kind of quilt!!! Funky wonky and that GREEN!! Juicy!!!
Posted by: Schnoobie(susan atwell) | April 04, 2011 at 08:28 PM
Wonderful quilt top! - would be great to now the story behind it - who made it, why & where...
As for my closets & things out of the closets - I think they multiply at night ! Warm wishes from Dubai !
Posted by: Xue | April 07, 2011 at 03:04 AM
What a totally funky and delightful quilt. I don't think I would quilt it just bind it and have it as a summer spread.
Posted by: Sandra Starley | April 16, 2011 at 03:39 AM