Abundance

Abundance, 12¼" x 12¼"

I've finished my little quilt from Lori D.'s Abundance quiltalong.  My experience is that remaking a vintage quilt from the stash is a good exercise.  What guides fabric choices?  Colors?  Visual pattern?  Historical print accurancy?  For me, this time, I decided to just try to visually replicate the original as close as I could from the stash.  So you'll find some 19th century repros as well as pink toile and a light blue 30s print.  All in all, I'm pretty happy with it.

When I try to lighten up my photos a bit, that blue seems to electrify, so here's a close-up of the prints which is pretty true to color.  That corner pink print is an Ely & Walker calico which was one of the very first fabrics I ever had in my stash.  In fact, I guess you could say that it and several companion prints were the start of my quilting stash, in 1975. 

I've never incorporated corner pockets onto a small quilt before so I tried them out on this.  What a great idea ~ so quick and neat!  I had a small piece of tiny dowel rod in with my craft supplies, so thin it's almost a skewer.  How convenient to have it immediately ready to hang when the last binding stitch is finished.

I've been fooling around with some quirky lettering recently and decided to incorporate some into my label for the back.  I think it fits the style of the patchwork nicely! 

While working on it, I was thinking how, since it's so small, it would be fun to make several versions at the same time ~ perhaps sticking to the color theme, but making one in all repro prints, one as a 30's version and one in contemporary fabrics.  Maybe next challenge.  Too many ideas, not enough time!

If you've never participated in any of these projects, I'd encourage you to try one.  Lori's, especially, are clearly explained, well-paced and easy enough for most quilters.  You've probably seen a number of 'Abundance' quilts popping up over the last week or two on the blogs and Lori will be hosting a link page sometime this week on Humble Quilts.  I'm looking forward to seeing everyone else's versions!

Comments

[Sue]

It's beautiful! I love your choice of fabrics !!

Love the corner pockets and next wall quilt, I shall make some of those. Love them.

Nice lettering on your signature piece. Very nice indeed!

So you did enjoy hand quilting with the Mountain Mist Cotton Cream Rose?

[Heartsdesire]

Your Abundance quilt is so cute, and I really love your choice of fabrics. I wasn't too thrilled with the outcome of mine, so I put a small light blue order around it and now it doesn't seem so dull. I should have used some cheddar to make it pop a bit.

[janet]

It looks beautiful! I think the colors look much like the original. Nicely handquilted too :0) The lettering is very fun.

[Barb Robson]

Lovely! Did you hand print the label or is it computer generated and if so which font? I'll look forward to seeing the next installment.
Thanks,
Barb

[Meredithe]

Gorgeous Jan! Must go and finish mine. I've never seen that type of pocket for hanging before - great idea.

[Karen Beigh]

I am not good at somewhat decorative lettering. You seem to be. I downloaded a bunch of fonts so I could trace and get the look. But I don't think of it when I make a quilt label.

[Thimbleanna]

That's adorable Jan! I LOVE LOVE LOVE your lettering too -- what a fun idea!

[Linda in NC]

Your Abundance turned out great! I realized too late that I had intended corner pockets on mine; now it's either a tiny sleeve or just pin it right to the wall.

I like your idea of making several variations of the same little quilt at once, but you're so right: too many ideas; too little time.

Fun lettering!

[LoriD]

That is super adorable! I always do the corner triangles on my AAQI quilts, I'm not sure why I hadn't thought to incorporate them into this little quiltalong.

[Sujata Shah]

I love your quilt, Jan! I had never tried the corners until I made the AAQI quilts. I love them now.

[Dixie]

A very pretty version of the Abundance quilt. Lori's projects always look fun to make!

[Pam Cope]

So Sweet! I love the colors of antique quilts. you are being very productive, I am motivated to get off the computer and go make something!
I love your lettering - calligraphy is fun. what kind of pens do you use for labels? I recently saw a quilt I made for a niece about 10 years ago. It has been washed & loved, and the label disappeared. Luckily I had a photo of the label so was able to re-create it, but I thought I had used something permanent.

[Elin]

I like this one very much! So smart the backing and the "pockets" in the corners. Thank you for sharing. I will make this one!

[Cheryl Miller]

Love your fabric choices! That cheddar is a favorite of mine!

[Pat]

Lovely little rendition of Abundance.

[Pat Taylor]

A great version of the Abundance quilt - and like the way you did the back for hanging! Glad you showed your label - a good reminder to make one up.

[Mary]

Nice!!! You still have fabric left from 1975? Really?

[libbyQ]

your mix of fabrics came together beautifully and it turns out that i remember 'interviewing' the same cheddar that you have used for my little 'Abundance' piece. i did end up choosing another but love them both~!!~

:-)
libbyQ

btw: your 'quirky lettering' label is wonderful~!!!~

[Jeanne]

Your Abundance quilt is lovely. I like to use the corner pieces for hanging my little quilts, too.

[Cjhaab]

So cute! Your fabrics are nice and bright - gives it a modern intensity. I like the label and the hanging pieces. This is really fun to look at.

[Karen Beigh]

I am looking at everyone's blocks this evening. Interesting to see all the fabric choices. I just sewed mine this evening.

[Kyle Redente]

Your Abundance block is striking and really resembles the original.The pink corner fabric made me smile because those fabrics were the start of my collection too. And, of course, like you, I still have pieces saved for someday!