Wednesday, March 2, 2011

School-house blues

Five years ago, at the Kingston, Ontario quilt show, this school-house quilt captivated my attention. It was a raffle quilt but I didn't win it. Oh darn! Still, it has been on my mind to make my own one day. Debra was also at that quilt show and she bought $40.00 worth of raffle tickets and didn't win either. Double darn! Since we started getting together a few years ago, we have been talking and talking about this quilt and decided to make our own.
March 2, 2013 - Update:  At last, the original designer and copyright holder of this pattern is Andrea Blackhurst and the pattern appeared in 'Quilt' magazine, fall 1996.  Thank you, Andrea for contacting me so that credit can finally be given to you. 

So, last Saturday, Debra and Mary (no blog) came to my house and we sewed. Below is my progress to date. For our meeting, I just had the middle house block done. I'm making the small alternative blocks using EQ7 and am having quite the time (fun) making them. Some of my blocks are paper pieced and others (the more intricate ones) I am doing them the English Paper Piecing method. The school-house block finish size is 12" x 12" and the small alternative block finish size is 6" x 6". My quilt will have 25 blocks (5 x 5) and will finish approx. 84" square. I'm not sure what size Debra's and Mary's will be. Time will reveal all our blocks and quilt sizes.

Now, for my 'show and tell', I had quilts in 3 separate piles around my house. There was no way they could be shown all at once as it would have been quilt overload. Miss Hank had to be coaxed off this pile. Ummm ... can we say princess and the pea ... but she sure does look cozy.

This is the aftermath of one showing. To all those ladies who have given me giveaway quilts and swap quilts .... your ears must have been burning as your quilts were greatly admired. It was fun to show the ladies my quilts and other quilts from around the world. Both Debra and Mary are participating in swap quilts and blocks and they have shown me their recent exchanges.


Oh yes, we had a fun day!

If you want to see another version of a school-house quilt go here and scroll down.
Have a great day!
BTW .... oh yes, one more project to be added to my UFO list for a total of 33 projects and 7 tops to be quilted. What can I say, that is life! :o)

16 comments:

Karen said...

Wow! You have a very good start on having your own Schoolhouse quilt. Several years ago, my little sewing group made the Schoolhouse block with different blocks on the side of the house. The blocks went to a group member who was a school teacher. She loved her blocks.

Barbara Budelman said...

Love the school house! Do you have a better facing pic of the raffle quilt. I would love to try to design one too.
Your start and the blocks are great.
Barbara

Darlene said...

Your Schoolhouse quilt is going to be beyond wonderful. I'm going to enjoy watching your progress on this beauty.

Jennifer said...

I can see why you loved that quilt! But making your own is more fun, because you get to choose which blocks you put on the houses. Like your colours too! Hmmmm.......I could make a green one.......

Janet said...

The school house quilt is wonderful as a sampler, you've made a good start. I wish I could have been at the show and tell, there's nothing better than a good drool over quilts.

Julie Fukuda said...

I like this version the best of any I have seen. Maybe one is calling me?

Cathy said...

I love your house blocks. I have doodled a smiliar quilt. Hugs

Deb said...

RM that is a wonderful start to your quilt!! Thanks so much for designing the block that will fit our blocks.
RM knows that I wanted this quilt so bad that we talked about making it for a couple of years. Quilting friends really know how to make dreams reality.
The joy is I will have a wonderful memory of us making it together with our other friend Kathy what a way to share quilting together.
The Show and tell was beyond fantastic and like Kathy I was so inspired by RM gorgeous quilts, quilting, and displays of quilts around her house. I will post another picture of Patches the other kitty in the 3 pile of quilts this weekend

Sharon said...

Love the house block. I have been looking in books/magazines and just found the perfect house block for me to make. I'm on a red/white kick lately so I think thats what my houses will be.

LuAnn said...

I love your house blocks. What a great way to set blocks that you may already have finished and hidden away in a baggie. Your quilt will be beautiful!

Annette said...

I love this quilt. You have a great start and it looks like so much fun to make.

*karendianne. said...

Rose Marie your blocks are amazing. I'm so interested in the variety of methods you use but you know that! :) Thank you so much for sharing Miss Hank so snuggly before she had to be relocated. She is so very "princess and the pea" isn't she?

So happy to read about the fun you're having. Must have been quite a show.

Appalachian Mercantile said...

Love the Schoolhouse quilt! Can't wait to see yours finished!

Teresa said...

Oh wow..I love that quilt too. Gonna have to keep that one in mind for my bucket list.

Carrie P. said...

That school house quilt is so neat. It will be fun to make each different block.

Suzanne said...

Your schoolhouses are off to a great start. I hope to see it when it's done.