What makes a quilt Amish?

Judith wrote asking what makes this an Amish style quilt. She wanted to know: Is it that the maker is Amish, or the design? Here is my response:

Since I'm not Amish, are my Amish style quilts really Amish? Many Amish quilters make quilts that are indistinguishable from popular mainstream quilts. Are those quilts Amish? I make delicious Italian lasagna, but I'm not Italian. 

This quilt was inspired by one in the book shown below: "Amish Crib Quilts from the Midwest, The Sara Miller Collection"  by Smucker, Crews, and Welters (Good Books, 2003).

We know an Amish style quilt when we see one. They have the classic designs and colors that we recognize as an Amish quilt.  

1.) "Amish quilts" were made in the early 1900's by Amish quilters. 

2.) "Amish style quilts" were made more recently by non-Amish. 

Any thoughts?

Quilt Top Finishes

Here are 2 of my latest quilt top finishes: one shown above, and one shown below. These measure about 47" x 47." The backings are Kaffe Fassett prints. I'm listing them as "wall quilts/baby quilts." The fabrics are a mix of florals and geometrics, not juvenile prints, but I think they'd be pretty for a baby girl. 

When my first son was born, my sister Lynne thought the baby sweaters in the stores were too babyish (duh!) so she knitted a navy and white striped sweater that she thought had a more  masculine look. It did look sharp on the little guy too. Now he's 29, and 6'5" tall. I wonder if she's going to knit him a sweater for Christmas!

Yesterday I finished this scrap quilt (below). It reminds me of the World Quilt that we made earlier this year (see sidebar). It's got everything: retro, modern, florals, dots, novelty prints...even some cute dogs. The quilt measures 45" x 57." The strips were cut 1.25" wide. Binding was made from 5 different prints, in keeping with the "scrap" theme. There are 220 pieces total, in case you were wondering.  :)

The Hairy Leg Quilt!

Carla Barrett of Feathered Fibers is a fabulous machine quilter with a great sense of humor.

She quilted this quilt for a friend and decided to have some fun with it. Surprise!

Carla, you are too much! Hahaha!

New Christmas Sea Urchin Pincushion

I know I'm showing you a lot of these Sea Urchin Pincushions, but I just finished this one and I'm so excited about it I had to show you. The fabric is "Dimples" by Gail Kessler (Ladyfingers Studio, Andover Fabrics) in olive/lime green. The beads are mostly greens, reds, and whites, but there are some other colors sprinkled here and there to make it interesting. 

Like a Christmas tree, or a scrap quilt.

Staircase Slides and More

Don't these look like fun? Here are some quick pics to fuel your creative spirit today.

Staircase in a Paris apartment (below) by Ecole. 

And one more, from the Loft House. These kitchen stairs don't take up much room, but I wouldn't want to carry a basket of laundry up there!

Have a very creative day!

Sea Urchin Pincushion GIVEAWAY!

Have you visited the Sea Urchin Pincushion page yet? You could win one of these colorful decorations for your quilt studio (any color you want), or a package of nine pinsies. There will be one sea urchin and 10 packages of pinsies given away. A total of 11 prizes.

Here's what you do. Post one of these photos someplace on the Internet, or spread the word about sea urchin pincushions in some way. Include this link. Then leave a comment on this post. The winners will be chosen (at random) next Wednesday Nov. 21, Thanksgiving Eve. 

The beaded pins are called pinsies. They make nice little pincushion decorations for you, or favors for your quilting buddies. Aren't they pretty in the sun? 

I make these while watching movies with my DH. Want to see the tutorial? 

Making them is so much fun, it's hard to stop. (Duh!) 

Thanks for helping me spread the word. :)

Namolio's Crocheted Garlands

Namolio in England makes unique crocheted items, including these pretty garlands. Her day job involves photography and graphic design. She also has a website.

Another Finish: Diamond Dish Quilt

You've seen the pattern for Diamond Dish. Now the quilt is finally finished, as a result of my "getting serious" about completing quilt tops. 

 If you are a new quilter, you might be interested to see what a "hanging sleeve" is. (Above) It goes on to the top edge of the quilt before the binding is added. The sleeve puffs out a little so that the quilt hangs nice and flat when the curtain rod (or dowel) is in there. Otherwise you'd see a bulge. I always show a photo like this so Etsy viewers can see how easy it is to hang a quilt on the wall.

Yup, this quilt is now listed in my Etsy store. More photos there.

Happy quilting!

Selvage Quilt by Carolina Squirrell

This selvage quilt called "Lawn Chairs" is the creation of Elena in Texas. You can see more photos here at Carolina Squirrell. Elena has lots more amazing selvage items there too.

Nice job, Elena!

A Finished Quilt!

This is my first finish since I got serious about finishing my quilt tops yesterday. So far, so good.

The African fabrics were collected on my trips to New York City's Garment District. The backing isn't African, but I think it's compatible. (Above) The white is Kona cotton. Details here.

This quilt is one of a series that was inspired by a quilt made in Zambia by a women's collective called "Lazy Lion," below. I haven't looked at this photo in a year. Now that I'm reminded of how pretty it looks, I may try again. But not until I finish more tops!

I Have to Get Serious!

It's so exciting to make a new quilt top! You get an idea and start sewing. You watch it grow on the design wall. Then serendipity happens and you get something you didn't expect. Usually that's a good surprise. Yup, it's all fun and games until the top is finished. 

The journey between that moment and having a finished quilt is more "uphill" for me. I'm trying to get serious about finishing a big pile of quilt tops now. I'm telling you this so I won't give in to the temptation to keep piecing tops. You're my "accountability group." Haha. 

So, as The Little Train that Could said, "I think I can! I think I can!"

Election Day Quilt Update

Here's my Election Day quilt top, displayed on a white design wall. (The binding will touch the little green triangles.) It measures 60" x 74." This quilt was made from Kona white and bits of all the light green/lime/chartreuse scraps in my stash. There are a few solids, but most are prints. This was inspired by the new "modern" quilts. It was going to be more simple, but I got carried away enjoying all the prints, and I love the look of all the little triangles.

Here are 2 scenes from the center of Litchfield, CT where I live. Just as the snowstorm was getting started, I made a quick trip to the post office (white building above). Then I turned around and got a photo of the Historical Society. This was the first snowfall, so I was really enjoying it. We got 6" of snow before it ended. Good quilting weather.

Pine Burr Quilt!

This awesome quilt is the creation of Nifty Quilts. 

Each "pine burr" is made from a 3" square, 

folded twice on the diagonal, and each block has about 144 burrs. 

Follow the link to Nifty's blog to see how to do this. 

I think the floral fabric in the outer border is just perfect!

The sashing is denim. Oh Nifty, you rock!

***

The Pine Burr Quilt is the official state quilt of Alabama. 

Gee, I wonder if Connecticut has an official state quilt. 

Strata Quilt by Lois Cox

Lois Cox in California was inspired by the World quilt that we made this year (see sidebar at right), so she cut her favorite novelty prints into 2" strips and made this "Strata Quilt." It measures 70" x 70." It has many of her favorite things: cheeseburgers, M+M's, Hershey Kisses, Hostess cupcakes, candy bars, Coca Cola, cats, and even some fabric from her mother who passed away nearly 30 years ago.

What a wonderful quilt to curl up with this winter! Great job, Lois!

Remember to Vote Today

Every 4 years I make an Election Day quilt while I follow the election results.

After I vote, that is. 

Free Eyeglasses from Firmoo!

I got these glasses free from Firmoo.com and you can too. (You choose your own style, of course.) I keep them at my sewing machine so they're always there when I need them for quilting. 

Your first pair of glasses is free for new customers. I chose these red ones because they're playful and they remind me of Freddy Moran's red glasses. You can also choose sunglasses or goggles (safety glasses). Mine are reading glasses. The quality is very nice. I forget I'm wearing them.

It's simple to order your glasses from Firmoo.com. You can upload your portrait and "try on" glasses. (Or you can use one of their photos.) You enter your prescription in the order. I had some questions and they answered my emails right away. The glasses arrived fast too.

By the way, when you have your eyes examined, the optometrist has to give you your prescription if you ask for it. Ask them to include the PD measurement. You don't have to buy your glasses at the same place you have your eyes examined. You can save a lot that way, and get great glasses too. I had my eye exam at Walmart. 

Have fun picking out your new free glasses! (Get a cup of coffee/tea first; the selection is huge.)

Wilma's 3 New Selvage Creations - Wow!

Accomplished selvage quilter Wilma Al-Uqdah of Houston, Texas made these fabulous selvage items: the backpack above with the fancy chevron design at the top, the monogrammed tote bag below with a nice big pictorial stripe, and the turquoise Zinger quilt with gorgeous quilting! Bravo, Wilma!

She cut the selvages off her fabric stash, and then applied them to 3 1/2 yards of muslin. She used the "new fabric" to make the backpack and the borders for her quilt. 

Wilma belongs to the Coastal Prairie Quilt Guild of Texas in Missouri City, Texas.  

Lynda's New Selvage Quilt

This colorful selvage quilt is the creation of Lynda Duplissea of Maine. It's the "Old Maid's Puzzle Solved" pattern from the book, Quilts from the Selvage Edge. Didn't she do a fabulous job?

Lynda will be presenting a program for her guild in April called "Life on the Selvage Edge." It sounds a little scary! Lol. But fun.

Squirrel Pauses for Photo

This little fella has been working hard in my yard, carrying nuts to his special hiding place. He stopped for a short rest right outside my window. I wish he had a use for all those leaves too!

African Quilt Top Finished

This is the quilt top that I started during the recent hurricane. The addition of the navy blue outer border has changed the personality from rather modern to almost preppy. Maybe a cocoa brown border would have preserved the African mood a little better, but navy it is. The backing will be solid royal blue. The binding will be navy blue.

This quilt measures 64" x 76."

I hope to list it in my Etsy shop soon.