Thursday, October 25, 2012

The Heritage Medallion - The Blogger's Quilt Festival

Heritage Medallion
60" by 60"
1996
Machine pieced, Hand Applique,
 Paper pieced, Broderie Perse 
Hand Quilted by Me!
Categories:  Hand Quilted, Throw Quilt, Applique  

How does one learn the art of quilting??  I'm sure every quilter has their own approach but mine was a self taught journey - at least the first 10 years.  I would get my monthly Quilter's Newsletter  - pick a pattern that I thought would teach me something and set  out to make it.  

That's exactly what I did with The Heritage Medallion Quilt in 1996.  Its a serial pattern which means that once every two months an issue would come out and the next set of instructions were included.   So that year I learned a ton of techniques.  The center is Broderie Perse where I fancy cut out the flowers and needled turned appliqued them on.  Its also cross hatched hand quilted every 1/4" inch - you can see that my stitches were starting to get tiny and even.  The small 4" sampler blocks were super hard!  I had to paper piece them - which meant I had to draft my own paper piece patterns.  They're not perfect - but they're close!  

Finally, as with most quilters, I never met a pattern that I didn't want to change.    So one of last installments included pieced tree corners.  I thought  that carrying out the applique corners from the middle to the outer edges would be more pleasing.  That meant though that I had to learn how to pick out appropriate patterns and size them to the proper size.  The ones I chose were authentic depression era patterns that were given to me by daughter who was passing down her late mother's quilter's stash.  I love that stash and I was so glad to use it in one of my first projects.  I then needled turned hand appliqued them.
It took about a year to complete and it won 2nd best in show at our local fair.  I remember the little old lady who accepted it into the fair didn't believe that my 30 year old self (I looked younger) had made it.  She says, "Tell the truth - your mother made this right?!  You know you can't enter this under your name if she made it."  She was VERY serious.  I just smiled and said "Yes Mam I promise  - I made it all myself."
Motto of this quilt story - Try to pick projects that will challenge you  - teach you - expand your quilt knowledge.  I know that "Modern Quilts" where less is more and fancy fabrics carry  the quilt is all the rage - but I would put out there that there is still a lot of value in true traditional skills.  All the skills I learned on this quilt I still use to this day on my truly modern contemporary quilting.




Amy's Creative Side
Creations by Nina-Marie

25 comments:

Carol A. Babineau said...

This is a beautiful quilt! Yes, one of the best types of teaching tools too, I agree with you. Sort of like an embroidery sampler for quilting. Hand quilting - takes practice, but the stitching once it is done is beautiful.
Good points thanks :)
Carol

Pattilou said...

This is a stunning quilt. I love seeing modern quilts and they have a value of their own, but your quilt reminds one of the quilter's craft carried on for generations. You have done a beautiful work with such fine workmanship. It's now standing the test of time!

Robin said...

Amen Sista on the challenge yourself note!!!!! I am so out of sync with the quilt community right now.
It is a beautiful quilt!

Lindsey said...

This quilt is amazing! No wonder it won 2nd best in show! Beautiful!

Anonymous said...

I love your idea of picking one new challenging technique every month! What a great discipline to grow yourself as a quilter. Thanks for sharing that and a great quilt!

Lori said...

Wow! It is beautiful and what a learning project!!

CitricSugar said...

What a great way to challenge yourself! Holy cow. Beautiful work.

Allison said...

this is a lovely quilt - I enjoyed reading about it's origin and the techniques used to make it. learning new things is so important! have a great weekend & enjoy the festival - I have enjoyed looking back through your posts :)

LethargicLass said...

wow... an amazing piece of dedication and hard work :)

audrey said...

I agree with the importance of challenging ourselves--it has great rewards. Great, great quilt for the festival. Love your colors esp.

Unknown said...

Here's to projects that challenge you....and working with colors you love, otherwise, it will end up in the garbage can or in the UFO piles....and I'm getting tired of wearing a tin-foil hat!

Robin said...

I love this quilt! And the story behind its making is just as wonderful. What an amazing learning journey it must have been. Thank you for sharing! :)

Sunshine Girl said...

Great quilt and story. Thanks for sharing.

Mom said...

Lovely!

Margaret
www.quiltsoflove.blogspot.com

Η Πευκοβελόνα said...

Your quilt is incredible! Really hard work...What kind of thread did you use for hand-quilting? I am currently trying to learn and the pattern I am using, reccomends Perle Cotton No8, but it seems very difficult to handle...what do you think? #76

Rene' said...

Lovely! Beautiful stitching.

Quilting Babcia said...

What a beautiful quilt, and a great story as well! I'm adding your blog on my 'following' list.

Vera Holmgren said...

It's lovely, beautiful work!

Lonci said...

That is absolutely beautiful:)))

Marika said...

Quilting Very nice work :)

Nana said...

Amazing work, beautiful color choices and wonderful hand quilting!

Sandra said...

wowza--go big or go home!! You sure aren't a timid quilter (piecer or appliquer for that matter). Very impressive and I love how the quilt show lady didn't believe you'd made it.
Kudos.

Come see my entry #46 Batik Tulips
applique, hand quilt, wall hanging

and #23 antique zigzag quilt

Eileen said...

Wonderful!! Nice job on the applique. Beautiful all around. Thanks for sharing and have a great day

Vivian said...

This one's a beaut! I take the same approach to quilting that you do--I like projects that will let me try something I haven't done before.

I always wanted to make this one too. I put a few fabrics aside for it but haven't gotten to it yet. You've inspired me to keep it on the "Some Day" list. Thanks for sharing it!

Sheila said...

I need the May, June and July issues for this pattern, would you be willing to sell to me?
Thank you, Sheila