The next blocks for the Strawberry Garden quilt have caused me to take a look back at some of my quilts from the past. This cute little X block reminded me of a quilt I made decades ago.
Remember Thimbleberries fabric? Now that truly is a blast from the past. This quilt is made from basically the same block as the Fig Tree blocks in my first picture. The only difference is that I added one more corner square in a contrasting fabric. When four of the units were sewn together, the result was a "Posy", which was the name of this quilt.
When I look closely, I can see that the corners are somewhat chopped off rounded in the Posy block, which gives it a softer, less "X"- like appearance.
I was so careful when piecing my Fig Tree X blocks. I made sure those intersections lined up as precisely as possible, trying not to be even one thread off. When I pieced the Posy quilt, I don't recall being bothered one bit if things didn't line up!
This little quilt has had a good life and is now living in the back of my Subaru. Is that sacrilege, or is it ok to use your old quilts that way? Old quilts never die, right? They keep on serving.
10 Responses
Ahhh I remember Thimbleberries fondly 🥰 it’s not a sacrilege using older quilts in a car or other places – I made a raggedy quilt (remember those??) years ago that now serves as a cover in the back seat of my car for my dog! That’s the beauty of quilts – they serve a variety of purposes!
I have a Thimbleberries Club quilt for Cosmo in the back of my car! I still have tons of Lynette’s fabrics. In fact, I have 2 king size quilts out of Thimbleberries fabric that I always use.
I would rather see a quilt in the back of a car than in Goodwill!
You might as well get the use out of the quilt as let somebody else decide what to do with it. The trend is to “blend” the large prints but I do not care for that look so much. I go my own way. The fabric in the basket would have looked better if there was a simple ribbon from a contrasting fabric. I agree with you that the points do the basket no favor and are distracting from the rest of the block. I do love your blocks!
I still have a Thimbleberries fabric quilt hanging in my laundry room! We’re going camping this week & my ‘raggedy quilt’ will once again be in use on the bed. Quilts are supposed to be used, no matter how, so no guilt about the one in the back of your car!
Thimbleberries was before my quilting years,but I like your fabrics. I have a couple of their books too. My 2nd quilt ever was a double wedding for my son and DIL in their school colors. The only time it got used was when they lived in Chicago and we visited them. I’m pretty sure DIL didn’t like it. At least they put it on the guest bed for us!
I have a Thimbleberries quilt kit I still need to finish. Maybe I should finish it. Your piecing is precise; you do beautiful work!
Fun little stroll down memory lane with your bow tie quilt and the Thimbleberries Posy quilt. It just goes to show that traditional blocks look great made from every style of fabric. I have a stash of Thimbleberries fabric that I need to use. I’m going to find a pattern and make a scrappy quilt. I love the bow tie block but not 3” which I’ve used in smaller quilts, maybe 6”. Take care! 🍓
I was just digging in my Thimbleberries stash to find a border finish for a reproduction block. They blend with many of the reproductions. My oldest unfinished quilt kit is a Thimbleberries purchased in about 1996 in her studio in Redwood Falls MN. I have proudly purchased only 4 new kits(finished now) since the pandemic began. No new fabric even for backings. Even at that, I most likely will leave fabric behind (and quilts). What’s a fabric lover to do?
Thimbleberries – blast from the past for sure! Love how your blocks are coming along!