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| Finished first project - but how did I end up here? First, I started with two things: a pile of antique dresden blocks, bought in Indianapolis about 30 years ago, and with a baby quilt I needed to make. The mom-to-be has registered for all gray and white nursery items, very soft, and very modern. But - I got the idea to use these blocks, because I bought them while visiting the mom's parents, years ago - when SHE was just a baby! And I know she would appreciate it. I wanted to make a table topper first, and machine wash it, to make sure the old fabrics could take the wear and tear. The quilt came out of the dryer looking great, no problems. |
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| Check out these fun vintage fabrics! |
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| More fun fabrics, on a gray fabric - thinking of using gray and white fabrics with the dresden blocks, to suit the mom's color scheme. |
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| I love all of those old fabrics, all colors, all together, looking great! But how to use both gray and white fabric? One for background, one for sashing? But then I saw the following quilt on timquilts.com (see his blog, here). I love how he used black and a red polka dot fabric with his string pieced melon blocks, alternating every other one. And the border, with those scalloped edges? A perfect finish! (Tim does beautiful work!) |
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| I love that edging, but I don't think I will be adding that to my baby quilt. I've got to finish this quilt in the next month or so! |
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| Check out the frugal piecing of this seamstress! She used the tiniest scraps in her design! And such beautiful piecing and pressing, these blocks have passed the test of time. |
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| It was hard choosing just 9 blocks for the baby quilt. (More to come on the baby quilt later.) But first, I had to see if these old fabrics would hold up to wear and tear. First, I hand washed the blocks in some quilt wash and cool water, air dried, and gave them all a good press. Then I made my table topper, adding an appliqued center of hand-dyed green fabric. |
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| Another vintage touch - I used my grandma's china dish to cut my perfect circle shape. |
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| Finished table topper, before washing. |
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| After washing and drying. |
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| Finished table topper! Now - gotta get that baby quilt made! |
