Sunday, March 18, 2007

Redwork and Reading


I finished my first redwork block today, "A is for Angel." I'm making the redwork alphabet from Bobby Socks. I think she looks very cute. I started to trace the "B" block but decided I don't like tracing. Instead I went to the LQS because she carries freezer paper and I thought I would try printing the design onto the fabric. I've never used freezer paper and wasn't sure it would work. But I'm excited to report that it works wonderfully. I printed off the "B" block onto the muslin and have been happily stitching away this afternoon.

While at the LQS I decided I should find some background fabric for these alphabet blocks. I found these three fabrics for a start. Aren't those Gerber baby faces adorable? I think they will add a whimsical touch to the blocks. I want to frame each block as I finish stitching them that way when I complete all of them all I have to do is sew the blocks together. Or, if I decide along the way, I could sew the blocks together and quilt the quilt using the quilt-as-you-go method.



Paula wrote about the books she is reading lately. She reminded me that I have received nearly all of the books from my E-Bay buying binge two weeks ago and I haven't shared them with you yet. I've flipped through the books but haven't taken the time to read all of them yet.

First up is a collection of older books (1987-1993): Animas Quilts by Jackie Robinson; One-of-a-Kind Quilts by Judy Hopkins; and two books by Mimi Dietrich - Handmade Quilts and the first edition of Happy Endings. (I also have the revised edition of that book). You can tell these books are nearly 20 years old. There are very few color pictures and lots of text.

Then there is Play Quilts for Children by Kristin Kolstad Addison. It will probably be some time before I make any quilts from this book, but it is good eye candy.

The last book I've received it Charm Quilts Or too much fun with a stack of squares and one template by Beth Donaldson. I tried to find a link to the book, but had no luck. The seller sent four templates with the book: a Kite, a Diamond, a Braid and a Half Hexagon. I'm spending Friday and Saturday with a friend and we are going to start cutting our scraps using the templates. I'm trying to find a Tumbler and a Pyramid template too. The book has directions for a quilt made with each of these templates. I know, I know, I need another project like I need a hole in my head!

I'm waiting for one more book to arrive: Great Little Quilts by Eleanor Levie. Finn has talked a lot about this book and I couldn't resist buying it.

I have two books left on my quilt book wish list: Red & White: American Redowrk Quilts & Patterns by Deborah Harding and Publish Your Patterns! How to Write, Print and Market Your Designs by Nancy Restuccia.

What quilt books have you been reading? What quilt books do you have on your Wish List? Tell us about them.

14 comments:

Silverthimble said...

I love your redwork angel! Thanks for the tip about printing right on the fabric rather than tracing--I would have never thought of that!

Paula, the quilter said...

The redwork angel is so cute and that was a great solution to not tracing it off. You have a lot of reading ahead of you. We expect book reports, ya know.

Libby said...

I have never made any of the pieces but I enjoy going to the website and looking at the patterns each month - sweet whimsy.

Carole said...

Your redwork block looks cute and the fabric is perfect for it. I'm curious as to whether the ink is permanent of your block. Hum... I've printed on fabric but with the idea of permanency (The Vintage stuff cd pictures etc). Happy quilting!

Nancy said...

I like you redwork angel. I've never tried printing directly onto fabric but I've been tempted to try. I also have some redwork that needs to be traced and maybe I'll just scan it and try printing straight to the fabric.

I have the tumbler and pyramid templates. I picked them up at wal-mart a few years ago with a set of one-patch templates. Think it also had the apple core and hexagon. I'm pretty sure WM still sells them so you might look there.

Unknown said...

Your angel is lovely, and I just adore your red work fabrics, they will look terrific with your blocks. Welcome to the RedWorkStitchers group, I hope you enjoy your time with us.

swooze said...

Nice angel. Creative thinking on the freezer paper!

Clare said...

I've always been too scared to print directly onto fabric. Would be interested to know how you did it. Can it be done on any printer? The blog banner looks good.

My wish book? Liberated Quilting by Gwen Marston, when the price drops!

Cynthia said...

Hooray!! Well done on finishing your first Redwork block. It looks great and i love the fabrics you bought to go with blocks.

tami said...

The angel is adorable and you did a great job picking out fabrics to go with it.

Jeanne said...

Your redwork angel is wonderful! I had to check out the website and ended up printing off the first three letters of the alphabet for a someday project.

Wendy said...

I love your redwork angel. So cute...
Have fun looking at all the quilt books you've ordered.

May Britt said...

Your Angel is so cute. I will print these patterns and see if I can transfer them to the norwegian alphabet later. Because the angel in norway would have the letter E for Engel beside her.

Tazzie said...

Your redwork angel is so cute, I love it!
*hugs*
Tazzie
:-)