I was cruising around blogs the other day like I do sometimes, when I stumbled onto a picture of a
quilt that looked very familiar to me! Too funny! I had actually made two versions of that quilt back in 2004? Anyway, I decided it was way past time to take pictures of the quilts made during my Indygo Junction phase. For posterity you know.
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| Folk Art Sampler Quilt |
I bought the book 'Wednesday's Best' by Indygo Junction in about 2003 after drooling over the 'Crimson in Clover' quilt at every quilt show I went to. It was so far out of my skill level though that I ended up panicking and started with the 'Folk Art Sampler' quilt instead. So very fun to make! Really, really gratifying project overall even though I somehow left two pieces of freezer paper in with the appliqued pieces.*sigh (My kids loved to climb on the back of the couch for years and years just to feel the paper wrinkle under their fingers while they giggled at mom's big mistake.) I hand quilted the sampler very lightly in a black thread which made me feel very adventurous.
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| My version of Truly Red and Green |
Then I made two versions of 'Truly Red and Green', gifting my next younger sister with one of them. My own quilt was used so much that it actually has holes in some of the fabric and I know that I touched up the applique at least three times through the years before it finally got retired. lol One of my favorite quilts of all time, partly because there are 8 pieced girl blocks (I'm from a family of 8 girls, 4 boys).
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| Crimson in Clover |
Finally I got brave enough to tackle the 'Crimson in Clover' quilt. It was the very first time I had ever made bias vine which completely terrified me. (Yes, I am easily intimidated.) Overall, the quilt was a wonderful experience and also a magnificent flop,
all at the same time. My selection of scrappy yellows and reds were not well blended or even complementary to each other, almost enough to put my teeth on edge in places. Basically I rushed it, didn't trust what my instincts were screaming at me. It was a great learning experience to be honest. And trust me, I worked hard to get as good a picture as I did!
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| The back of Crimson in Clover |
The back was fun in it's own way too. I used up some challenge blocks and played with a setting layout I had never attempted before. The colors are a bit 'meh', but I enjoyed playing and got a chance to put some sentimental blocks to good use that weren't ever going to have their moment in the sun otherwise.
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| Indygo Junction baskets with star flowers |
And last but not least, I used the applique basket pattern with star flowers on the corners of a throw-together scrap quilt. It eventually ended up being used for camping trips and now it usually covers the back of my very ugly couch. Hey, the entire quilt was an experiment and if the couch wear and tear ruins it, it'll be worth it just for the years of providing distraction from our biggest eyesore!
I look at all these quilts and marvel at how much these quilts taught me. If you want to improve your quilt making skills, you have to make quilts. Plain and simple.
Looks like a great book. The Folk Art Sampler is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree. Lovely quilts!
ReplyDeleteI drooled over these quilts too but never bought the book or made any of the quilts. They are all special.
ReplyDeleteIt was nice to take a trip down memory lane with you. All of the quilts you have shown look good to me.
ReplyDeleteI like this "phase" you went through. I love Cheri's designs. I have most of her patterns from Indygo Junction and many, many since she went out on her own. I even have her patterns pre-Indygo Junction. I made the tote bags with the girls on them. Gave a couple as a gift and donated a couple for a quilt show boutique.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! And they are lovely quilts too, love your Truly Red and Green with the girl blocks. Have never seen something like that before.
ReplyDeleteFun to go back and look at previous projects. Thank you for sharing yours.
ReplyDeleteYou have a nice variety of quilts and yes, it is a journey and each quilt has something to teach.
Love your projects!
Great quilts. Especially love the 8 girls, a story with a quilt makes it more precious I think. Also like what you did with the backing. Thanks for sharing a part of your quilthistory.
ReplyDeleteWow! You were ambitious and talented right from the beginning. Wonderful quilts. Thanks for the show.
ReplyDeleteI love your version of Truly Red and Green! I think I may have to get the book back out and make up some more of the quilts in it.
ReplyDeleteI learn something from every quilt I make and at the completion of each quilt can think of something I'd "should" have done differently. I've learned to just accept that part of the process. Fun seeing you Indygo Junction quilts. My favorite is Truly Red and Green - love the colors!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post! I love the colours you gravitated towards... a bit of tradition and a lot of flair! Thanks for sharing these.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a wonderful Show and Tell!! So many fun happy quilts!! I love the first one - the way the applique shape go over the squares in the background, it really adds so much movement. Crimson and Clover is a two sided superquilt!! They're all beautiful, Thanks for showing us!!
ReplyDeletePlain, simple, and so right! Love your Folk Art Sampler, even if it's an oldie. It's fun to see quilts you have made in the past... thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteDavid Beckham always says the reason he's such a good footballer is practice! I think that's true of any skill, although I don't think any amount of practice would make me even a half-decent footballer!
ReplyDeleteLove your current quilt in the hoop!
ReplyDeleteI agree totally . I have a mantra - "It's only fabric" and I say it to myself all the time. My first quilting attempts are nowhere near as technically good as my more recent ones so Im learning as I go !
ReplyDeleteThank you for showing us some of your earlier pieces. I think they're lovely .