Today’s Friday Favorites post is kind of a mix of this and that. Hope you enjoy it! For starters, using the quilts I make is high on my list of the important aspects of being a quilter. Sometimes I have to store quilts I use for teaching and trunk show, but we also have quilts on display in nearly every room of our home: quilts on the beds, quilts draped over chairs and sofas, quilts in baskets, quilts as wall decor, and quilts on ladders. But recently I thought of one more way to display some quilts…
A few years back my grandmother gave me the antique bassinet she used for my aunt and my mom (it’s almost 75 years old); I’ve kept it in a storage closet for quite some time, but after seeing a bassinet used to display quilts on Pinterest I brought it in, dusted it off, and placed it in my front entry next to my white quilt ladder. It has added such a fun touch to this part of our home!
Now I know this project (my American Patchwork & Quilting “Go Four It” quilt) is still in bits and pieces, but it’s destined to be a favorite quilt one of these days…and I finally finished up all of the four-patches.
Before I can start putting my blocks together, though, I need to cut about 1,000 squares from my “light” stash of Fig Tree fabrics; this will definitely go much faster than the just over 1,000 4-patch blocks!
I’ve had a little time this week to look through Quilt As-You-Go Made Modern: Fresh Techniques for Busy Quilters
by Jera Brandvig. Jera and I met at quilt market this fall and agreed to do a book swap! Her book is delightful. I haven’t done very much of the “quilt as you go” technique and was really happy to see that her book explains everything for using this technique in great detail. The photography is beautiful, the fabrics are fresh and happy, and the designs are fun. I think I have the confidence to try the table runner first and then move on to a quilt using this method.
Well…that’s it for this weeks “favorites” edition…I just have to leave you with one more photo of my new “quilty corner” in my entry. Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a wonderful weekend!
PS Lady Belle fabrics has some fun sales this weekend: 10% off fat quarter bundles, 15% off jelly rolls and sale half yards starting at $3.00. She also has
has new lines Daysail and Fresh Cut! (Bundles only, pre-cuts coming near the end of the month)–and she also has Color Theory by V and Co! Each collection is offered in fat quarter and half yard bundles.
June Garner says
Such a cute idea. I wish I kept the cradle my grandfather made for me. Fortunately, my sister has it so I can get it back. Do you have a resource for the quilt ladder?
Renragjd@gmail.com
Cheri, the Quilting Nanny says
I have been loving the "upcycle" uses for ladders, but am not able to make most of them…but the ladder you used to hold the quilts…now that is something I could do and I love how it displays the quilts…instead of the floor standing usual one like I have. Storage, decoration and out of the way…what a perfect solution! I will be looking for ladders to make one!
Carol Stearns says
Just decided I need one of those ladders.
Mary Burnette says
I Love all your little 4 patches, and thanks for the review on the book. I have also been wanting to try to quilt as you go since I recently sold my longarm. I enjoy your blog and all the pics and tutorials. thanks for all the work you put into it. Mary
mburnette912@bellsouth.net
Helen L says
What a treasure that bassinet is!! And how lovely to see that you could use it for quilt display and thus enjoy two treasures at once!!! Love your entry: so fun to see all those quilts displayed!! 🙂 And I have to applaud you for making those million 🙂 4 patches!! I knew that I wouldn't have the stamina to make that many, so I re-sized them to 2.5" unfinished so I ended up with 4.5" unfinished 4 patches. I'm making my quilt 5 blocks across and 7 down (for a twin bed), so I only have to make 158 4 patches. Much less than your 1000!!! And as it stands, I'll be doing good to get the 158 done!! 😛 Have a WONDERFUL weekend!! Hugs, H
ROBERT YOUNG says
that's so cute I have been looking for a ladder for some time now
on the quilting note I have made several quilts over the years and always try to make an extra block or pieces to make just in case I screw one up ( its a given) I wonder what everyone does with the extras strips and squares and off shaped ends
keep it all together separate it into colors cut it into usable pieces anybody help
thanks
Diana-runswithdogs.blogspot.com
Diana Y
Janellea Macbeth says
I keep a small storage rub (like a large shoebox) for the left over blocks and strip-ends. When the box is full, I but 1 to 3 yards of a focus fabric and sew it all together like a crazy quilt. Every quilt is completely different,and I never repeat an artistic statement in my "fruggly" quilts because they are always a summary of your CURRENT artistic landscape. Happy quilting!
Karen says
Can't wait to see your 4 patches, I love your fabrics. Mine will be considerably smaller, but it's coming.
Hildy says
Love your idea for displaying quilts! Today a friend gave me a black and white striped lung´dry bag and I think it will look great with some quilts in (it's just waa too cute to put dirt laundry in;-)
Bari Jo says
I loved that you brought out the bassinet – so sweet and a wonderful display!!! That's a treasure you have with sweet memories – I enjoy family pieces like yours!
Laura Chaney says
The bassinet is such a great idea. And I love the ladder next to it, too. I've been wanting a ladder to display quilts in our home for a while now.
Sigi G says
Love your entryway with this beautiful quilt display. What wonderful ideas you have!
Cathy says
What pattern is the one square in the quilt on the ladder at the very bottom. Turquoise and green?
Thanks so very much! Love it!
Tami Bohlman says
A very sweet idea. I have quilts all over our house and we use them all of the time.
Orange Rose says
I'm just as curious as Cathy, the quilt at the bottom of the ladder, what is the pattern if you don't mind my asking.