Several years ago, (well, over 6 at least) when I lived in Alaska, I was in a Thimbleberries club. Included with all the club block patterns, was this bonus. The instructor/leader asked everyone to make her a block so she could have a quilt by which to remember us. I made one, and it was fun, so I made nine more to make the quilt. It turned out pretty nice.
It wasn't too special, though, so I folded up the top and put it in a basket for "whenever."
Last summer, when I was in Shipshewana, Indiana, I bought the templates to go with this Laundry Basket Quilts pattern that I already had.
I liked the pattern and wanted to try to make it. The templates helped a whole lot. Now, I wanted to make the quilt, but I didn't want to spend a fortune on all the batiks that were featured in the pattern, so I turned to my large stash of Thimbleberries fabrics, because they all go nicely together. I didn't have to buy any fabric to make this quilt. I altered it slightly by putting on a different outer border. The pattern features a 4 inch or so border of one fabric. I wanted it a bit bigger and I had a lot of left over strips, so I pieced a strip border. This quilt top looked great!
I wanted to get it quilted, so I started rummaging through my stash for backing. While doing so, I came across the scrap quilt from above and realized it would make a perfect back for this one! My longarmer is a pretty good master at lining things up, so I figured it would come out great, and boy, did it! I got two quilts for the price of one!
Here is a detail shot of the front:
The challenge in piecing this was that it is essentially a LaMoyne star, and any quilter with experience knows that LaMoyne Stars mean Y seams! This was no exception. I felt when I finished that I should qualify for some sort of masters degree in Y seams.
In summary, this quilt is from a Laundry Basket Quilts pattern, made of Thimbleberries fabric, and consisting of massive amounts of Y seams, so I have named it: "Why (Y) not fill a Laundry Basket with Thimbleberries."
Aloha,
JoAnne
JoAnne.....these are both lovely! It would be hard to choose which side to leave up! I like to put pieced backs on my quilts, too....mostly I just do a random any-size piece with left over blocks or pieces, and it's kindof a modern cubism look! Or I've done some with just 10 or 12" big squares. But this quilt is so fabulous with both sides a front! LOVE IT! And your work is beautiful! (I personally love 'y' seams, but then I always do them by hand....cuz on the machine is pure torture! lol)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous!! Too funny...I almost bought that kit from Lolly's when I was in Shipshewana in February!! Your version is way more beautiful.
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