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Thursday, January 16, 2014

"New Mexico House" quilt

"New Mexico House" by Sherrie Spangler copyright 2014
I just did another wonky log cabin quilt, this time in response to our STITCH challenge to use the beads we were given at last month's meeting. I traded for some cactus beads because I love the desert.

I'm still using the same scraps from the last wonky quilt. I satin stitched turquoise frames around the window and door because Southwest lore says turquoise frames ward off evil ... at least that's what I read in a guide book.

Cactus beads inspired this little quilt.


I decided to do a pillowcase backing, so I only quilted through the top and the batting. Before I applied the backing, I machine stitched the sleeve so I wouldn't have to do it by hand afterward.


Then I put the top and backing right sides together and sewed all the way around. I turned it through a slit that I cut where the label would go.



Speaking of labels, don't make my mistake. Usually I use a pigma pen, but this time I used a pretty turquoise Staedtler pen. I forgot to test for permanency, and when I steam fused the label on it all blurred out. So I just went over it with a black pigma pen and now it looks fine.


This wonky piecing is getting addictive. I think I'll do some more today because my car just started making a horrible knocking noise when I turned it on so I don't think I'll be going anywhere today. Still waiting for the service guy to call me back and tell me if it's even safe to drive in to the garage or if I need to have it towed.

Hop over to Nina Marie's Off-the-Wall Friday to see what other fiber artists have done this week:
http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/2014/01/problem-solving-off-wall-friday.html

Have a colorful day

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11 comments:

  1. The Idaho BeautyJanuary 16, 2014 at 8:09 PM

    You and your car woes...

    Lovely little quilt that should keep you happy til spring. I'm amazed that the ink blurred just with steaming. This is also why I prewash fabric and us Retayne on hand-dyes and some batiks. Doesn't matter if you don't plan to ever wash a wall quilt. You never know when through blocking or some accident something will run due to moisture exposure.

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  2. Living to work - working to liveJanuary 17, 2014 at 1:13 AM

    It is a lovely little quilt. So cheerful. Just what is needed on a grey January morning.

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  3. Nina MarieJanuary 17, 2014 at 5:01 AM

    I agree - wonky improv piecing can be addicting - planned but not - love it!!

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  4. Judy Sall Fiber ArtJanuary 17, 2014 at 5:41 AM

    Love this! I can tell you are ready to come South, huh? Sure hope the car is okay... hate when that happens!

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  5. The Inside StoriJanuary 17, 2014 at 5:55 AM

    Love it, love it.....it's such a happy piece!

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  6. RobbieJanuary 17, 2014 at 5:34 PM

    Love the "wonky" blocks...cactus beads are cool!

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  7. UnknownJanuary 18, 2014 at 8:05 AM

    I really love it! Love the colors!

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  8. Vivian HelenaJanuary 18, 2014 at 8:52 AM

    I love those colors also, and hand dye them often. probably should do some over dyeing I have so many.
    Question: When you do the pillow turn on the backing do you sew an extra on the edge to look like binding. In the past when I turned a quilt that way there always seems to be more fabric on the back.. vivian

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  9. SylviaJanuary 18, 2014 at 4:08 PM

    I love log cabin blocks! This wonky one is very cool! Great idea!

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  10. Sherrie SpanglerJanuary 18, 2014 at 8:28 PM

    To answer Vivian's question: I cut the backing just a tiny smidge smaller than the front, so when I turn it the backing pulls to the back and isn't visible. But just to be safe, I use a backing color that would look OK if it showed on the edge. Hope this helps.

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  11. rothequilterJanuary 19, 2014 at 7:53 AM

    I love your colors. the New Mexico house is very vibrant.

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