I'm Just Sayin

Streak of Lightning
Monday, 13 August 2012 13:12    PDF Print E-mail
I LOVE old traditional quilts! I love the fact that they are usually a bit wonky and the grass roots designs often capture my imagination. I can't always jump in and make my own contemporary version of the old quilts that inspire me but I have been known to do so.

Recently, I discovered an image of an antique Streak of Lightning quilt in a book called The Darwin D Bearly Collection Antique Ohio Amish Quilts (©2006) published by Bernina and Darwin Bearly. It has an introduction written by Johathan Holstein. 

Inside I saw this quilt.



Most of you know my dad quilts. He's quilted since 1991 - we both started the same week - without planning it! Dad will turn 86 in November and this year he has not quilted very much. So during my parent's recent visit to La Veta, I wanted to see if he still had his quilting chops. I sat him in front of the Bernina 550 and told him I needed strips sets sewn together with perfect 1/4" seams. He was great! We spent a day sewing and cutting fabric using the Streak of Lightning antique quilt from the book as our guide.


At the end of the day we had made a lot of progress.



Dad is back home in Texas but today I've had time to work some more on the quilt. I feel it will be very challenge to get the colors right in this one. I want it to be colorful and contemporary because that's just what I do - so I'll keep on working - keeping my fingers crossed it all turns out great. Have you ever taken an old quilt and put a contemporary spin on it?
 

Comments  

 
0 #17 Cin 2012-08-22 13:05
When I was really young - elementary school, I used to assist my grandmother who made quilts strictly by hand. I most enjoyed choosing the tie yarns. As an adult I am just starting to work on a quilt - trying to share with one of our daughters who became left sided paralyzed last labor day weekend to sew and quilt. --- She loves anything of the old heirloom and heritage. We will use the scraps to make quilts for the less fortunate.
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0 #16 Faith sarber 2012-08-21 06:13
I would use the scraps to make quilts for people in nursing homes. and babys in hospital
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0 #15 Gloria Kloos 2012-08-18 17:28
I love your inspiration & your quilt. I have a bunch of 9 patches from an exchange. It is good you can share time with your father.
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0 #14 Yvonne 2012-08-14 16:11
Treasure the time with your Dad. Think of how much that quilt will mean to you when he is gone.
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0 #13 Carrie 2012-08-14 12:54
Team sewing is great. I wish my mom was closer so we could do more of it! Love that design and your pick of colors.
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0 #12 Jo Ann Pilgrim 2012-08-13 19:49
You are so fortunate to still have your dad to do things with. Lost my parents almost 20 years ago and still miss doing things with them. What a treasure that quilt will be and the memories it will hold.
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0 #11 CINDY GREENWELL 2012-08-13 18:13
would love to follow the progress of this, you are so lucky.
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0 #10 Mary Ellen Adams 2012-08-13 15:40
The design wall - better than sliced bread! I wish I had a parent who wanted to quilt. Or a daughter for that matter. Looks great. Can't wait to see the finished product.
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0 #9 Miss Helen Godden 2012-08-13 15:04
I love spending time with mum playing with fabric...and now in her new sewing room we get Ineka in ther too and it's all 3 generations....don,t see my dad joining us any time soon. Hey Ricky, about that Bald Mountain quilt.....if u like, I could have fun quilting it for you....add lots more spooky surprises for people to find....would be cool.
See u in adelaide mate.
Miss Helen
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0 #8 Benda 2012-08-13 14:55
A very ambitious quilt. I know you will be able to make something very special with all those lovely colours you like. I am sure your Dad will love it when it is finished - and you will treasure it always because of his input!
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