The color yellow in quilts

When I was selling sewing machines a few years back, I worked in a stand-alone department inside a busy fabric store. I was able to work on quilts between helping customers, and I always enjoyed interacting with people, whether they were interested in my wares or not. I had many lively conversations with other quilters, and heard many stories I wouldn't have had access to elsewhere. One of the items of interest I heard more than once was that you should never use the color yellow in a quilt. One lady told me that her grandmother had said it was considered bad luck. This surprised me greatly, as I've heard other quilters say that you should always put some yellow into a  quilt.
I had also heard that the Amish never used yellow in their quilts, but of course that's not true.
I think that many people are not sure how to use yellow, and can be intimidated by it. It is, after all, a very strong color, which can denote many things, among them warmth, and summer.  Used well, it can bring sparkle to a quilt. It can be fabulously paired with a clear blue for stunning results. On the other hand, it can get lost if paired with white.

 I believe the study of color is critical for successful design. Color can be used to express emotions and feelings, and the knowledge of the effects of color on one's psyche is an invaluable tool with which to work. Learn whatever you can about color, and you will no longer be intimidated by it.One of my very favorite books is Joen Wolfrom's The Magical Effects of Color. Joen has written a number of books on the subject, and she has so much great information to offer.

A quilting bee

One of my cousins tells the story about how my grandmother had some of her friends over for a sort of quilting bee. My aunt prepared luncheon for the ladies, and then they set about their work, sitting around the stretched-out quilt. Before too long one of them dropped to her knees on the floor. Oh no! Was the food served at lunch a problem? Then another did the same. Now it was time to panic.

It turned out that they were simply interested in inspecting the stitching on the back of the  quilt!

A basket quilt

 I was inspired to make this by copying an old quilt which was my maternal grandmother's. The original quilt was much bigger, and the sashing was that great bubble gum pink. The story was that each of her friends had made a block and signed their names. Even though each of the squares looks as though it was made by a different hand, I found no signatures at all. The flowers in the original were all hand embroidered.

When I decided to make this quilt I had originally intended to use pink sashing.The only problem was that I picked out the fabrics for the flowers and baskets, and there was no way it was going to work with pink! That's when I decided to go with black, for which I have the greatest fondness. I've never seen this exact basket pattern anywhere, so I've named it Grandma's Baskets. I've seen blocks which were similar, but not quite the same. I fused the basket handles (cut on the bias) and the flowers, and then used a machine blanket stitch to sew around each raw edge. If I made this again I would probably use wider borders, but I'm quite pleased with it nonetheless. The binding is made up of strips cut from the remains of the fat quarters I used for the baskets and flowers. I must admit that I sort of "borrowed" the flower shapes from Diana McClun and Laura Knownes' book Quilts, Quilts, Quilts.

My Camera

The camera I'm currently using is a Canon PowerShot SX130IS. The list price for this is $249, but I paid $20 less, and I've seen it at an even lower price. (There is also an SX30IS, which is about twice the price.)
This is a point and shoot camera, as opposed to a digital single lens reflex. DSLR cameras are much more expensive, due to higher lens quality, and separate chips for auto focusing and the photosensor. With a point and shoot there is a lag time between when you push the button and the actual picture is taken. I don't want to get too technical, but I've been very happy with this camera, in spite of some limitations, and I've been able to get some really good pictures. It's very lightweight and convenient to use, and I like the fact that I can just take a couple of pictures of a quilt, and put them into my blog posts.

I will upgrade to a higher quality camera at some point, just as a beginning quilter would want to upgrade her sewing machine. It's not necessary to have all the bells and whistles when you're starting a new hobby, but with practice and experience you will learn which features are important to you. Plus, if you spend a lot of money when you start out, you might find that this isn't for you. It's your skill level which you want to improve, and that can be done with even some very simple equipment. Do the best you can with what you have, and be happy with your accomplishments.

An old quilt top

 Here are some pictures of an old quilt top I purchased at our guild boutique a few years ago. It was hung up on a wall, and an announcement was made that this and another old top were for sale for $10 each. When I spotted that black and white star from across the room I knew I just had to have it.
I think it may have been stitched together mid-twentieth century or so (Depression Era, perhaps?)but I really have no idea. At some point, probably in the 70's some chunks were cut out of one side, presumably to make pillows or some such.

 I was unable to find this exact block in any of my books, including Maggie Malone's book, 5,500 Quilt Block Designs. I did find a couple of blocks which were close, one called Anna's Choice, and another called Margaret's Choice, so I've named the block Ann-Margret's Choice.
This is a very beautiful though humble quilt, and one day I'll pay proper tribute and make a copy of it. For now it awaits, neatly folded, among other textiles in my cupboard.

The blocks are machine stitched, and the maker sewed four blocks together and then put the pieced pink and white sashing around them. The pink and white is very near and dear to my heart, and reminds me of my grandmother.

Where do I purchase my quilt fabrics?

I know many quilters who will only buy fabrics at quilt shops, but I'm not one of those. I realize that when you pay $8-$10 a yard for fabrics (or more sometimes) you will expect to be getting the very best quality fabric. I frequent some of the larger chain stores as well, and I often buy small pieces of fabric at the monthly boutique at my quilt guild. I realize that the quality will not always be the same, but I haven't run into too many problems doing this. Sometimes a manufacturer will print the same print onto very different quality greige goods (the term for the un-printed, un-dyed fabric), so unless you're looking at the fabric with a magnifier you can't be sure of the thread count. You can usually tell what kind of quality you're getting after the fabric is washed. If you find you lose all the body in the fabric once the sizing is gone, then you may want to reconsider using it. I've also found the opposite problem, which is when the fabric remains very stiff even after washing. These are just some of the many things you must take into consideration when selecting fabrics.
I once used a beautiful print for the border of a quilt which faded dreadfully after the second washing. It was from what I would consider a high-end manufacturer, and I was hugely disappointed. Luckily for me the  quilt was not a large one, nor one that I had given away. I ended up appliqueing another fabric over the top of the entire border, which was quite a bit of work. I still sigh when I think of how beautiful that first print was!

The joy of African American quilts

When I saw the quilts of Gee's Bend in an exhibit at the de Young Museum a few years ago, I was most intrigued by their exuberance. I saw great spontaneity and joy in so many of those quilts, and I have to say that I was not a little envious of the creativity with which these poor rural women created these works of art. How I wish I could allow myself  to express my work so freely! And yet, they had almost nothing with which to work. By that I mean that they used up every scrap of fabric and thread that they had, and many of those quilts were made from old work clothes. Need I say that those were my favorites?
The ladies of Gee's Bend, Alabama quilted to keep their families warm, and nothing else. Many of the quilts were burned when they were deemed to have reached the end of their useful lives. 
I feel so privileged to have been able to see these wonderful works of art.

An early quilt

 Here is a quilt top which I started making some time in the early 70's. I put some of the blocks together a few years ago, with this being one of the results. These were "orphan" blocks which have been around for many years. This is truly a scrap quilt, with fabrics from my high school dresses, costumes from plays, and a couple of ties made for a close friend.This still needs to be quilted. What I'm trying to show is that even the most primitive quilts can have their charms.

 As you can see, I knew about fussy cutting before I knew it had a name. Nice selection of fabrics! (?) I have no idea where that bright blue floral came from, but it wasn't mine.

Here's a detail of an embroidered design. I used to do quite a lot of hand embroidery, and I wish I still had some of my best work, which unfortunately was given to a somewhat unappreciative boyfriend.

Quilting designs from nature

Here is how I go about creating new quilting designs from leaves I've collected. After gathering and pressing the leaves (usually by just sticking them in an old phone book) I trace around the shapes onto a piece of card stock, lightweight cardboard or other stiff paper. Here I've re-used the cardboard from a box of tea.

I trace around the shapes, and sketch in the veins as a reference.

After the shapes are cut out I trace them onto the dull side of freezer paper. After these are cut out I can press them onto the quilt top, and stitch around them. I don't worry too much if I stitch through the paper. The pieces are then pulled off, and the veins can be free motion stitched.

I'm so embarassed!

With previous posts about deadlines and quilt show entries, I'm embarrassed to say that I have missed the entry deadline for my local quilt guild show next month. I kept meaning to get around to it, but never did until it was too late.I thought about deleting one or two relevant posts, but this will at least keep me honest.
Sigh!
We all make mistakes. I have signed up to help set up the show, so at least that will be a chance to hang out and meet some new people.
The Santa Clara Valley Quilt Association show will be at the Santa Clara Convention Center (same location as the Pacific International Quilt Festival) March 5 and 6. For more info, here is the link: http://www.scvqa.org/

Baptist Fan quilting design

The very first quilt I ever saw in my life was quilted with a design I came to know as the Baptist Fan. I was always intrigued by it, and finally used it on the border of a quilt I made some years ago. When I saw an exhibit of the quilts of Gee's Bend, I realized that most likely this was a sort of naturally-occurring pattern. If you hand quilt a curve, leaving your elbow in one place, you will achieve an arc. It's just that simple. The ladies of Gee's bend did not seem to mark their quilt tops, and many of their quilts are quilted with this pattern.
This is also sometimes known as a Methodist fan.

More color choice tips

One of the easiest ways to choose a color scheme for your fabric is to use the little dots of color which are sometimes printed along the selvege edge of the fabric. You can easily see the entire range of colors in a particular print, which may have as many as 10-14 colors. You probably wouldn't use them all, but it will give you a starting point for some lights, mediums and darks. As I've said previously, contrast can be a very important element, so keep that in mind. If your fabric doesn't have the color dots, try using a large scale print for color inspiration. You might not end up using that print in your quilt at all, but if it has colors you're really passionate about you will likely have some success.

A gift from a friend

My friend Mary Jane gave me a most beautiful book yesterday, Show Way, by Jacqueline Woodson, and illustrated by Hudson Talbot. It tells the story of the ancestors and descendants of an African American girl named Soonie. Quilts feature prominantly in the story, and M J said she just had give it to me. From the minute I opened the cover I was in love with the book. I'm savoring it, and even though it's a children's book I haven't gotten all the way through it yet, except to look at the pictures.
I have to say, upon reading some reviews that the book is not without controversy, but I think that just adds more interest. Find it, if you can, and I think any quilter would be delighted to have it in her library. One of the things I most enjoyed was that the story was told through the lives of the women.I also found myself picking out various quilt blocks in the book and finding the ones I've made.
Thanks, Mary Jane!
I've always said that the best gifts are ones which reinforce the recipient's own personal belief about who they are.

How I named this blog

I decided years ago that if I ever had a website that I would call it The Quilt Is My Delight. I never guessed that I would be blogging under that name.I was inspired by an old Scottish bagpipe tune called The Kilt Is My Delight. My maternal grandfather was a Scot who learned to play the bagpipes after he and his family emigrated to Australia. My mother has told me many stories about him, and he must have been quite a character.
The national garb of Scotland is the kilt, a pleated garment shown partially at the left. Don't ever call it a skirt. Most kilt-wearing men are armed, though not necessarily dangerous!
This is a cropped photo showing a man in evening dress, which I think is a most becoming attire.Worn correctly, I cannot think of anything more dashing.

New addition to my blog

You will notice that I've now added some advertising to my blog. I did this in the hope of being able to generate some income from my writing. I will be keeping a close eye on this. If I feel this is detrimental in any way, I will remove it.
Thanks

Meanwhile, here are some more primroses.
Sandra

Red and Green

New York Beauty detail

As I've mentioned previously, I love red and green quilts. I have no idea why I'm so attracted to them, but of course I'm not the only one.Red and green quilts were at the height of their popularity during the last half of the 19th century.They were invariably applique, and were mostly kept as best quilts, reserved for guests. Part of the reason for the rise in the use of these two colors was the advent of new and better dyes. My own red and green quilts are pieced. I haven't got much patience for the time-consuming applique, and I don't like to start a project if I don't think I'll finish .(I still have an applique Bicentennial quilt begun in 1976, of which I completed exactly two blocks!) This is a version of New York Beauty, with which I'm madly in love, and never tire of looking at. It was foundation pieced, and not at all difficult to make. In the detail photo, you can see that I used up the scraps from other blocks to create the one on the right. I feel as if this quilt is very strong, composition-wise, and your eye moves around and through the piece, without resting on any one place for too long.

Almost feeling guilty

The residents of the Bay Area in California have been recently blessed with some fantastically beautiful weather. I'm sorry, Connecticut! I apologize to the rest of the East Coast, and to Dallas. And of course, my lovely Australia, which is suffering from too much rain on one end and too much fire on the other. Can't we tip it just a bit, and let the floods put out the fire?

Here is a photo for you, so that you can see that there is hope after all.

San Bruno Rising

Here is a quilt I made to donate after the devastating explosion and fire last October in the Bay Area city of San Bruno.I felt quite helpless as I watched the event unfold on the evening news, and knew that the one thing I could do to help in some small way was to create a quilt for one of the survivors.
This is a simple quilt, with four patches, nine patches and one patches, taken from the book Making Scrap Quilts To Use It Up by Lynne Edwards. The quilt itself was designed by Pat Mitchell.
At 86" square, this is the biggest quilt I've ever made, and perhaps the fastest, taking only one month from start to finish.
And yes, I did use what I had on hand.I only bought one green fabric to add, and was given a chunk of green fabric which I used for the binding. I found a bargain fabric for the back, and got the batting on sale.

Here's a little gift for you

Here's a picture I took the other morning, of a magnolia tree near my apartment. I looked up and saw the shadow of the bud silhouetted on the leaves, and I wanted to share it with you. This reminds me of the inspiration for Hawaiian quilts. It's said that the Hawaiians, who were being taught to quilt by American missionaries, felt it was pointless to cut up fabric for patchwork. Someone noticed the shadow of a breadfruit tree on a sheet laid out to dry, and decided to use that as an applique motif. This may be the stuff of legend, but it makes sense to me. As I've said before, search for beauty, and you will find it.

Is that bare spot on the wall crying out for a quilt?

I have a little wall space in my hallway, where a calendar used to hang, but now that's been moved, so the space seems a tad bare. No so long ago I had no quilts hanging in my apartment, but now they pretty much occupy every vertical surface which isn't already covered by a picture, painting, or print of some sort. I do have a little quilt started, with the top pieced already. It still needs a border before it can be quilted, but....
Well, I'll let you know.