WOW: Back and Getting Better

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

 

 

I'm back in Melbourne and finally feeling and getting better
 

Last week I was on a roadtrip up to Brisbane to see the V&A Quilt Exhibition for quilts from the 1700's. After seeing the exhibition I was in a restaurant with my DH when I slipped on wet soapy tiles. I fell backwards and somehow twisted my knee and badly bruised both my wrists. I was taken to hospital by ambulance and that was our mini break dramatically and suddenly over!

 

Thankfully I didn't break anything and I'm currently resting, wearing a leg brace, hobbling around on crutches and waiting for the swelling to go down.

 

I have so much going on at the moment that it's an especially inconvenient time to be unable to sew or sit for more than 30 minutes at a time. And, on top of everything else, I still don't have my fabric yet! I know this is really a minor thing but I can't believe I'm going to be the last person to make my own BOM block!

I'm so eager to get started but then I have to remember what I tell everyone else: it's not a race and applique can't be hurried along. So I'll take my own advice.



 

What's Your WOW ?

 

Love Entwined Part 2 is launched

It's already a whole month since this BOM started! 

I feel like I only launched Part 1 minutes ago; the excitement around this quilt means we are seeing a lot of Works in Progress over in the Group and that is always a great part of sharing a BOM with a community of quilters: sharing what we do and seeing what everyone is up to.

Now, if Part 1 was a tentative step towards the beginning of a historic heirloom, then Part 2 is an excited leap into the pattern. All of a sudden the centre square takes shape as we create the template which will guide us for the applique ahead.

Can't wait to see what you do this month...

‘Love Entwined 1790 Marriage Coverlet’ is a Free 18 Month Historic BOM

Each ‘block’ of the month is released monthly, on the 15thof each month. All ‘blocks’ are available for free during the month of their release. Any missed ‘blocks’ may be purchased.
 

All ‘blocks’ are available for download via my Yahoo BOM Group only

Part 2 Printing Notes

  

Part 2 will be released on the 15th.
 

With all the activity over in the group since this BOM launched I want to remind everyone of the simple and effective steps you can take to ensure your pattern prints completely and accurately

Please read the Printing Tutorial above
by clicking on the image

Also, please ensure that you have the latest PDF reader and that it is updated. You can download Adobe's latest PDF reader for FREE. Every month I hear from members who's printing issues were resolved just by updating their PDF Reader software.

Remember that the pattern is available, free, for 30 days, so if there is a file rush over in the group, try again later.

I definitely recommend, with our current volumes, that you "save" rather than "open" the file to your own computer as some members found that pages were lost when they simply 'opened' the file and this could have been due to memory lapses due to high demand and usage. So, download the pattern to a location on your computer and then print from your saved file.

Please read the Printing Tutorial listed here because every month I get the same emails: so many PDF readers automatically 're-scale' documents and this can be adjusted so easily and save you so much "inch square test" difficulties.

A few minutes reading now may save you irritation with your home copier later

 

Love Entwined, Compass Notes

Part 1 of Love Entwined consisted of easing you in with a simple centre applique compass. After all, I knew you'd be busy selecting your fabrics and getting your work spaces in order to create this stunning and laborious heirloom.

Naturally, it's all applique work. Many members mentioned that it was actually their first applique compass, so I must say, I'm doubly impressed with how many were made in such a short span of time. Many members made 2 or more compasses to choose from. How much enthusiasm can a single quilt inspire?

 

Thanks to Bunny and Michele for posting these in the group

 

Of course, I must be the slowest member in my own group because I haven't actually made my own one yet (of course I made a draft when I created the pattern, but I am still waiting on my fabrics. Yes! I'm really still in a fabric slump).

Luckily, our group moderators are both enthusiastic and highly skilled and they've allowed me to show you what they've created, and yes, it's fabulous.

There are hundreds of compasses over in the group now: each one is different and expresses a unique style. It's really interesting to see how this centre work of applique sets the tone for the entire square. There are going to be hundreds of Love Entwined quilts out in the world in the next 2-3 years and I am really looking forward to seeing them as they progress.

Now for the compass. This is the kind of post I like to blog a few days after the Part is launched, but this month has been so crazy for me and I have been rushed off my feet: I'm lucky our moderators are so generous with their time so that I can share it with you here, now.

Glenda had the wonderful idea to hand embroider rose bullions on her compass ring instead of the small applique circles. Glenda, I think you mentioned it was 8 hours work? Look at how marvellous these look, worth every minute.

I tried to keep my DD away from Glenda's photo because I knew that when she saw it, she's demand rose bullion too.! But I'm afraid I'll be sticking with the applique on this one, my embroidery techniques are a bit too rusty!

 

Bunny created machine embroidered roses which I also instantly fell in love with

 

 

and here is Bunny's ring for around the compass, they look stunning!

 

Of course, making your own ring for the compass doesn't mean you stop sharing you ideas! Here's the brass washers idea to help turn those small fiddly applique circles. Thanks again Bunny, I know a lot of members took this idea on.

 

a lot of us couldn't believe something so common could be so effective,

so Karen Van Dijk Nielsen helped us out with a photo

Yesterday I mentioned that group activity inspires ingenuity: well here's an example, the thumb tack method.  It's as simple as it is effective. I can't believe I didn't think of it myself. I've since tried it and yes, perfect little applique circles. Thanks to Marieke Hordijk for sharing this for us.

 

Thanks to the members mentioned here

who gave me permission to share their photos on my blog.

 

There is so much sharing of ideas and methods over in the group that I can't wait to see how we approach and tackle each new Part.

 

Part 2 will be released on the 15th of July and I suspect the group will fall silent for all least a few hours whilst everyone keenly examines the work ahead: we're really stepping up in Part 2 and the quilt centre takes it central shape. I'm already excited and can't wait to work through it with you.

 

‘Love Entwined 1790 Marriage Coverlet’ is a Free 18 Month Historic BOM.

Each ‘block’ of the month is released monthly, on the 15^thof each month. All ‘blocks’ are available for free during the month of their release. Any missed ‘blocks’ may be purchased.

All ‘blocks’ are available for download via my Yahoo BOM Group only.

 

 



WOW: On The Road

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays  

I'm currently on the road

'Where to?'  

 

To Brisbane, to see the V&A Quilt Exhibition
1700-1945

Exploring over 200 years of British quilt making

Exhibition organised by the Victoria & Albert Museum, London

 

I wasn't going to go, Brisbane is far away and it's a big chunk of time to lose, but since starting Love Entwined I feel compelled to see what I can of the era's quilts so that I can visualise amongst real quilts of the era what I think I saw when I spent so much time studying the original. I just had to find the time and go. I need to see these quilts myself, and most importantly, their authentic fabrics with my own eyes and this exhibition (which baffles me) isn't coming to Melbourne!

 

Since I launched Love Entwined, it's interesting how much Georgian I keep coming across. Like this hotel room, selected randomly as we drove. Of course, its the "Georgian Suite!" I think the only Georgian thing about it is the inspired green wall here.

 

 

Can't wait to see this exhibit and let you know what I think, fabric wise.

 WOW is extra early today as I will be on the road and out of wifi range.

 

What's Your WOW ?

 

 

 

 

Group Activity Inspires Ingenuity

 

What's going on over in my Yahoo BOM Group?

Oh, it's just another typical day!

over 1000 new members in the last month

over 2000 messages posted in June

100's of photos posted in the last month

Progress photo's, questions and answers, advice, suggestions and brilliant technique ideas: what a fabulous place to create a quilt. Membership is moderated and we're assisted by a team of knowledgeable Moderators. We're a real community.

 

So if you're making any of my quilts, why not join us today? 
It's the only place to download my pattern for free each month.

See you there !

 

WOW: Calm after the BOM?

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

 

Was it naive to assume there'd be calm after the BOM? 

 

 

I thought that once I'd launched I'd go back to my sewing pile (some shirts I''ve been meaning to make for the last 6 months), maybe finish my winter afghan and think about the best date the launch the next BOM (don't want to overwhelm the group message board); Rose, Cherry & Lily...

 

Not So! Things are just getting busier! Our Yahoo Group has grown by 500 members this fortnight and our activity in the group has been busy and excited. I'm waiting to hear back on some fabric I'd inquired about and want to use for this BOM and lastly, I've decided that I simply have to seen some 1790 quilts with my own eyes. So I'm hitting the road, it's early this morning and I am heading out to Brisbane to see the V & A exhibition for myself as it's not stopping in Melbourne. A roadtrip!

 

Slowing down? Hardly!

 

 

What's going on in your wednesday?

 

 

Love Entwined: 4 Colour Ways

With an undertaking like Love Entwined, deciding on a final colour scheme can be fraught with indecision - just ask me; I'm still undecided on my final colour scheme and here's four reasons why.

 

 

1.Dark background, full colour applique

This was one of my first colour schemes and one I am having trouble letting go of it as a possibility. I love it and the dark background means the applique shines and really comes into its own. My only apprehension is that it doesn't ring true (in my opinion) to the original. Or does it? Who knows. I've spent alot of time thinking about the original and have created something of a set idea about it which has come from studying the design so closely. Of course, I really don't know anything for certain because I've never seen the quilt.

 

A lot of discussion has taken place over in my BOM Group regarding colour choices for this quilt and I've been giving out the same advice each time: do what speaks to you, make it authentic to your own style ...in that way you will do the quilt justice.

Only problem is, I cant take my own advice because I love all the possible colour options!

 

2. Pale green background

There's no denying a pale green background just works; it's subtle and it lets the applique take centre stage whilst setting a sophisticated tone. And tone here is the issue for me; because it asks for the applique fabrics to be in complimentary hues and colour families which means purchasing a lot more applique fabric than ordinary, but I do love it...

 

 

3. Classic scrappy

It's become my opinion that the original is something of a scrappy. Like before, I can't determine this with any authority given that the quilt hasn't been seen in public since 1956. Whatever the original is, a scrappy quilt can not only seriously stash bust your fabric but put it to seriously good use too, what a stunning heirloom this would be.

4. Light French Blue with pinks and yellows
This is the colour way I finally decided on. The light french blue really speaks to me and I have been wanted to make a significant quilt with this blue/light aqua tone for a few years. The added bonus here is that it is such a Georgian colour too. I'm actually waiting for my fabrics to arrive so my final choice is not definite, it will all decide on seeing the fabric in the flesh and making the final call then.

 

These images are only coloured in sketches, not real quilts and this means the colours used are guides only. The fact is, the yellow is appearing out of tone in these pics and not showing up as true - this is especially the case with the light french blue and pale green background. So the colours above that look out of place - they are out of place, they've been distorted via imaging.

 

I think though, that these colour ways give you a good idea of the real possibility your own Love Entwined can take in feel and colour theme.

 

The top 3 colour ways take over 158 separate applique colours each, with a set background. My final colour choice is this last one and it's the one used in the pattern; it contains significantly less fabrics.

 

Determining fabric usage in a quilt such as Love Entwined is difficult. I have done so in the pattern but what I really want to say is; set your background fabric and after that, it's anything goes. How many colours you use, how many prints, how complex, how diverse, it all depends on what you want to create. Some quilters are talking about making a 2 tone quilt and this could certainly work too.

 

When my fabric arrives I will share my 'final' selections; whilst I wait, I am really enjoying looking through everyone elses colour palette and am so pleased that you're sharing your own progress in the Group- it's really interesting for the rest of us to see what you're up to and how you're interpreting the design.  

 

What do you think?

Which colours would you choose? 

‘Love Entwined 1790 Marriage Coverlet’ is a Free 18 Month Historic BOM.

Each ‘block’ of the month is released monthly, on the 15^thof each month. All ‘blocks’ are available for free during the month of their release. Any missed ‘blocks’ may be purchased.

All ‘blocks’ are available for download via my Yahoo BOM Group only.

Love Entwined is launched!

 

Love Entwined is already shaping out to be a marvellous adventure; the energy and enthusiasm this quilt has generated prior to launching is breathtaking. I haven't been this excited about a quilt in years. I know a lot of you feel the same. Together, we're going to have a wonderful adventure making this heirloom. Today we've made a start and I'm looking forward to the finish line when we call look back and say, we did it!

 

Does it feel like I've been discussing this quilt for weeks? Well, I must admit I have. So let's get straight down to business and take a good  look at the centre square as this is where the quilt really begins and where our BOM starts it's journey.

 

 

Now, neither of these mock up sketches do the pattern or my colour options any justice, but I think it gives you enough idea of where this pattern is headed. In Part 1 which just launched over in the group, we start with an introduction to the quilt, it's fabric requirements and the centre compass. Don't be fooled, it may not sound like much, but it's plenty to be going on with and next month (July 15th) we really step up a notch in terms of getting the centre square together. Due to my late launch, you have just enough time to think about your colour ways and select your favourite applique method.

 

I have posted the centre square (instead of just the compass this month) for good reason: a lot of beginners have contacted me. You want to make the quilt, you want to join in, but the idea of making the whole quilt is just too daunting. I suggest that you make the centre square only. This centre square (with, say, a 2 inch added border to finish) would be a stunning wall hanging on it's own. It's a real option for those of you who aren't experienced in applique or don't have the time to invest in the entire quilt.

 

You already know what this means,

there's something in this quilt for everyone!

 

You'll notice that I am between a rock and a hard place, colour wise. Should I stick with the faded linen or brighten up with the white background? Red and pink vases? Or blue and yellow? I can't decide! I keep going back and forth. I have tried to be Georgian True but there is so much conflicting advice about British Georgian colour schemes, and then; do the cool, sophisticated interiors of subtle tones and striking hues work in quilts? Is the original really created in 'Georgian' colours? I don't know. I've never seen it. After all my intense scrutiny, I don't want to make a call either way. The more I look at the original the more I think that it's actually a scrappy quilt. Will we ever know?

oh 'a fine marriage coverlet' where are you?

I've had a lot to say about the original 'fine marriage coverlet' in the past weeks. You all know that Love Entwined 1790 Marriage Coverlet is my ode to ‘a fine marriage coverlet’. I have created this quilt pattern as a historic interpretation of this important quilt and it is my hope that the popularity of this BOM will renew interest in the original quilt.

Now the focus shifts to the actual making of a new heirloom and I find that I don't have anything more to add about the original because there's no more information to go on. So, lastly, before we move ahead, I want to make one last statement about the coverlet:

It is my hope that it will be found and afforded its place in both British and quilting history as a fine example of women's work and as a legacy of workmanship respectively. It’s my opinion that this can only happen if it is found and preserved in a Museum for future generations to come. This quilt is an ode to the legacy of quilting and to women, known and unknown, who have contributed to our rich and combined quilting heritage; for whilst this is a British quilt, quilting belongs to the entire quilting community and does in that respect, inspire and ask us to maintain its preservation, regardless of our geographic location.

So, who's ready to start this BOM ? 

‘Love Entwined 1790 Marriage Coverlet’ is a Free 18 Month Historic BOM.

Each ‘block’ of the month is released monthly, on the 15^th of each month. All ‘blocks’ are available for free during the month of their release. Any missed ‘blocks’ may be purchased.

All ‘blocks’ are available for download via my Yahoo BOM Group only.
 

Ready? This Free BOM Starts Tomorrow

Are you ready for Love Entwined?

‘The earliest surviving coverlet dates from the end of the eighteenth century and the patterns are full of the life and colour found in the best tradition of applique. It seems at first only to have been done in the well-to-do houses.’

‘The earliest example which has come to light so far is also one of the best’

‘The patterns in early wood-block prints were sewn originally to the fine unbleached linen with loop stitch with thin brown wool, but during many repairs (some as late as 1835), coloured silk and cotton thread have been added. The majority of the original “dark and shady” cotton prints of red, madder brown, purple and rusty black are lightened by twigged and sprigged patterns in rose, coral, indigo, and pale blue, but many later prints are among them’

‘Other patterns show carnation and various daisy heads among sprays of leaves and flowers—eight slightly different plant-pots and four flower arrangements in two kinds of vase patterns: the centre square is lavishly adorned with hearts, denoting a marriage coverlet, but nothing is known of its history'

These quotes are from 'Patchwork' by Averil Colby (if you dont already own this book, it's a quilting staple, I urge you to seek it out) and are discussing a very special and historic quilt, known only as 'a fine marriage coverlet'. The whereabouts of this coverlet is not currently known, nor has it been seen or exhibited publicly (to the best of my knowledge) since being featured in this 1956 publication. 

This BOM Starts Tomorrow!

This quilt is a historic quilt and of great importance to both women's work and quilting history. It is my hope that this BOM will revive interest in this quilt to the extent that its whereabouts will be discovered so that it may be preserved and archived and acknowledged for future generations as the piece of history it undoubtedly is; this quilt is a legacy.

Making the BOM? Grab the button!

<div class="Esther’s-BOM-GROUP " style="width: 180px; margin: 0 auto;"> <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/estheraliubom/" rel="nofollow"> <img src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l501/estheraliu/482fd947-51c5-4094-bfa2-88097ba35ab4.jpg" alt="Esther’s BOM Group" width="180" height="223" /> </a> </div>

WOW: Ready For An Adventure?

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

 

I have finally put down my pen, decided on some fabrics (for the time being anyway) and am ready to start the Love Entwined adventure. It feels like it's been such a long time coming...and in many ways, I could certainly keep working on this quilt for the equal measure of time all over again. But the thing with making the Love Entwined pattern is this: you don't so much 'finish' it as reach a point where you can't go on any further alone.

I've spoken in previous posts about how Love Entwined is not a 're-manufactured' quilt pattern, and it simply couldn't be - I don't have the original quilt, nor have I ever seen it in person. There's been much I can only ponder and guess whilst going forward in my own style.

Yet having said that, it is a historic quilt and this means I have reigned myself in and stayed as true as I could to the design.

And now it's finished. And I'm as ready as I will ever be. What I need now is to get on with making this quilt and sharing the journey with my Yahoo Bom Group. I'm already looking forward to exchanging thoughts and ideas about each block and seeing how you all interpret the blocks in your own special way (like you always do). My Yahoo Bom Group has come to mean so much to me - it's not just the place I share my patterns, it's where I continually grow as a designer and as a quilter. Especially now. For Love Entwined is a very special quilt. It was once special to a specific woman in her own time and place in history, and it is now special for several different reasons: for it's marking of time and place in Georgian history, women's history and quilting history. Very special indeed.

 

And this makes sharing it with you all so much more important to me, for this, unlike other quilts, is not a sole journey to be undertaken alone. It is a personal satisfaction, but one to be shared.  It's a journey I am looking forward to undertaking with others and hopefully we'll create this beautiful fragment of history - all in our own special ways- and revive it's legacy through different cultures, different countries, guilds, groups, and in our own unique space, one quilt at a time.

 

Love Entwined 1790 Marriage Coverlet is a free historic 18 month BOM which launches on friday

Blocks are released monthly, for free during the month of release

Join my Yahoo BOM Group to take part

 



What's Your WOW?

 

 

WOW: Say Chintz!

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

 

I feel like I've been in a Georgian whirlwind this past week! Usually I like to quilt for 3-4 hours a day during the week with weekends reserved for family time, but these last few days I've been onto this subject and pattern with all day intensity.

 

I came across a clearer image of the 'love coverlet' and decided to make some changes to my pattern. Whilst this BOM is not a re-manufacture of the original, I don't want unnecessary elements outside the style theme in there! I thought I saw birds, there weren't birds, they had to go. It's all for the benefit of the quilt and worth the extra waiting time. I do apologise for those of you on the edge of your seat, waiting for the first block, I understand! I felt exactly the same when I started the pattern, it gets under your skin.

I've finally decided to use chintz throughout this quilt

I'm still debating whether to go with a light or dark background (leaning towards light) but it will depend on the tone match I can find when I buy my chintz range. I will post details once I have decided where to purchase. In the last few days I was lucky enough to come into some Chintz a friend was willing to part with and can see some good colour ways here - for fussy cutting and graduations, like flower petals.

I haven't made a chintz quilt before and look forward to it being another first in my quilting adventure! I love this glossy look, I can only hope the entire quilt has this gleam, but I do wonder if it will be harder to turn edge? I'll find out soon enough...

The Yahoo BOM Group has had 250 new members join in this last week and I know we're all excited to make a start, I'm sorry to keep you all waiting, but with my new image 'updates' I felt I had no choice.

The energy around this quilt already feels so wonderful, some quilts just have that 'something' about them which makes creating them extra special and I already know that this 'one' is one of those and we haven't even started yet.

Are you as excited as I am ??  Stay tuned...

 

What's Your WOW ?
 

Picking over the pattern...

I am beginning to think to myself, what have I started here with Love Entwined?

The energy around this quilt is so enthusiastic and keen, I love it, but I also can't ignore how much I completely underestimated everything about this quilt: the time it would take to create the pattern, the time it would take to break down into a BOM, the interest it would arouse, and (most frustratingly of all), the time it would take to select fabric for this quilt.

Both editions, mine is the bright orange one on the right

 

You see, a friend showed me her Patchwork edition of 1958 (I'm amazed how many quilters have this book in their library, isn't it great?) and the image is much clearer than my own, in the 1956 edition.



Can't believe the clarity difference!

Much clearer. So of course I've been nit picking as much as I can over the finer details

....it's addictive!

 

Already I've scrapped 2 birds I was sure 'were there' but in the clearer image have proven not to be.



My sketchbook of images to use in this quilt, I've tinkering away at these for months

the previous working sketch, I've already updated it!

A lot of you are asking if I can put up the fabric requirements for the BOM so that you can go ahead and purchase your chosen range. All the fabric requirments and break downs will be provided in full in Part 1 of the BOM. I will not be adding snippets of info on fabric requirments anywhere else first as I have learnt from previous BOMs that this only leads to confusion.

 I know we're all impatient to start and will be updating this blog as soon as I am ready to launch!



WOW: Georgian Style

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

 

The idea of a Georgian quilt has quite gripped me. Of course, I'll select whichever fabrics and colours I love best, but that hasnt stopped me developing a keen interest in the Georgians. And it's true, if I can find a Georgian 'theme' that I really love, that's what I will be going with.  

This Georgian style board is from Anita Brown's blog (who has given me permission to post it here for your enjoyment, thanks Anita). The blue and pinks are spot on for this era and give a great feel for the tones I’m seeking out right now.

This image is a link to the British Library info page on the era. It's fascinating, I have spent hours reading through all the sections and highly recommend it. I haven't read it yet, I cheated and watched the BBC TV show made from this book  below (from the library) last night and have purchased it this morning. Again, it's fascinating and I can't wait to go over what I saw, in print.

 

Now I have a real feel for Georgian taste, I do wonder if I will stay true to the style or do my own thing, or a mix of the two? I don't know. As soon as the fabrics are selected, it will be time to release the first block.

I'll post as soon as I know...



What's Your WOW ?

Love Entwined: Search Update 1

'a fine linen marriage coverlet'

where are you?

Well it seems several of you have enthusiastically taken up the call to find this treasure of a quilt!

What a faulous response and to keep us all up to date, I will list what has been investigated so that no one need double up or spend time unnecessarily. Please email me directly OR leave a comment to list any searching you have undertaken below this post and I will keep updating it until this quilt is found.

The Search List:

Elaine has managed to confirm (via the Museum Curator Heather Audin) that it is not in the collection of:

• The Quilt Museum and Gallery
• The Quilters' Guild of the British Isles

 

Contacted, awaiting response:

• Quilt museum in York (run by the Guild) (Elaine)
• V & A in London (Elaine)

I know that some of you emailed to let me know that you intended to contact several groups, I will update your findings when I receive them

Introducing Love Entwined: 1790 Marriage Coverlet

Well, I think it's time to announce that Love Entwined is my next Free BOM!

Love Entwined: 1790 Marriage Coverlet

Taken from 'Patchwork' by  Averil Colby. Published 1956.

Each new BOM is an opportunity for me to accomplish a quilt from my quilting To Do List. I talk about this ‘list’ a lot, it drives me to trying new things and styles all the time. Although I think I already have a personal style of quilting design (we all do), I’m still growing as a quilt designer and I won’t be satisfied until I have completed ‘The List’.

 

Just the other day, a new member in my Yahoo BOM Group commented in the sign –up section that she wanted to create 100 quilts before she died. I read that comment and nodded enthusiastically, it’s such a great idea to constantly be striving towards something and I’m glad to know that I’m not the only one motivated by a personally set finish line!

The two BOMs I am releasing the next few weeks are quite different. Rose, Cherry & Lily is an applique quilt with a pieced centre and is unapologetically romantic. I’m already in love with it and it looks like I’ll be making two from the very start, one for each DD.

But the focus today is on the first BOM which will be released this month, and that BOM is Love Entwined: 1790 Marriage Coverlet.

It's a historic quilt. It will be my first (and likely, last) historic. This is a big change for me as I am ordinarily focused with sharing my own original designs only and have never made an 'interpretation' quilt. Or a historic quilt specifically. But this quilt lured me in. It has a special place in my heart as it’s one of the first quilts I saw that made me realise I’d have to add ‘historic quilt’ to my Quilting To Do List and the idea to finally make it has been working away at me for over 10 years...

This is an enlargement from the only photograph I have been able to find of this quilt.

It’s a very special quilt, full of mystery and intrigue as far as I’m concerned. The only known photo of it is from an Averil Colby book “Patchwork’ printed in 1956. The photo is not great quality and it’s in grey scale. This should have deterred me from attempting to re-create it, but it hasn’t! I think I must live by the motto: an adventure isn’t complete unless it’s challenging as well!

This quilt has been a true labour of love. First, the work. I have a lot of quilting experience and even I grossly underestimated the time required to draft up, as accurately as feasible, this quilt. Then, with all my hard preliminary work out of the way, I thought I'd go ahead and try to create it in EQ7.  I did. Then disaster struck. I encountered a 'polygon error'. My quilt was gone. Just like that. GONE. I took a week out to recover from the lost work, I was frustrated and unsure if I would persist. I'd already invested so much time and taken time out of my life to create this pattern: was it better to cut my losses or try again?

I decided to persist or I knew I'd regret having nothing to show for my hard work.

Spending so much time alone with a design makes you think a lot about it's original work up. I’ve never seen this quilt in real life or in colour. I have searched for it, but it’s been very hard to track down – if it still exists. I really hope that somewhere, it does. Of course, a real issue with it is that it has no name to reference, and is simply referred to as: ‘a fine marriage coverlet’ and is dated 1790, placing it in the Georgian era, England.

What is the allure of this quilt? I can’t quite put my finger on it. It’s not 'perfect'. There are some design flaws which made re-creating the pattern difficult; I had to make choices when several options were available, which I will point out in the pattern specifically as the monthly blocks are released. And yet, I persisted. In fact, the more time I spent with this quilt, the more purposeful the design appeared to be and the more keen I was to do it justice and revive it in some way.

 

I have spent months and hundreds of hours painstakingly tracing, as accurately as possible, the original quilt. Working from a grey scale photograph is difficult and there were points where I had to create options when they literally couldn’t be seen.

This quilt is not a ‘re-manufacture’of the original, it could never be that.

It’s my interpretation of the original, through my own eyes. Of course, every quilter infuses every quilt they make with a certain style or character, you see this when you look at the same quilt pattern made by different quilters, and it’s the same here. Some aspects of my own style have crept in, it’s unavoidable. But this is most definitely a historic quilt, which I have interpreted and re-created in order to be made and enjoyed for it's historic value and beauty.

As a quilter I have noticed details, such as broderie perse cutouts, which I am assuming but can't be completely sure of, and stitches inbetween shapes and other flourishes. I've been drawing things my own way, keeping as close as possible to what can be seen. The rest I have had to imagine and improvise, keeping in theme with the style elements dominant in the design.

The longer I spent on this quilt, the more attached I have become to it's design and it's designer. Details I looked over initially have come to have an important place in the scheme of the quilt. Take for example the bow border around the quilt; I never really loved these and assumed (years ago) that I would change them to something else if I ever made this quilt.

But after spending so long entrenched in the design elements, changing anything became impossible. Although I make each quilt to satisfy something in myself ( and although I enjoy sharing what I do with you, my fellow BOM Group quilters), this historic quilt is more than a satisfaction to me.

It’s homage to the unknown woman who made it. So I found that when I reached the bow border, I couldn’t change it – I didn’t have the heart to.

Here I am with a mock up of the pattern. I'm afraid you can't see much, but I can tell you, this quilt grows on you and I am more keen on it today than I was when I started.

Love Entwined: 1790 Marriage Coverlet is an intense applique quilt project: it’s not for the faint hearted and I don't recommend it for beginners.

As I mentioned, this will be a one in a lifetime quilt for me and I want anyone considering making this BOM to really be aware of the dedication involved to seeing it through to completion. This BOM will run for 18 months (more details later in the week) and is definitely one of those quilts that simply can’t be rushed.

For those of you who know this is just too much for you, don’t worry, the next free BOM Rose, Cherry & Lily is up next and is decidedly easier… there’ll be something for everyone, BOM wise, this year.

So this is a brief introduction to Love Entwined: 1790 Marriage Coverlet, my first historic quilt. I'm excited about releasing it and like always, this BOM will be free for the first month of each block release.

Of course, I can’t possibly cover everything about
Love Entwined: 1790 Marriage Coverlet in this one post so in the next few days I’ll be looking into the all-important era, colour and fabric issues before releasing the first block…

Would you like to make this quilt? I have created Love Entwined: 1790 Marriage Coverlet to be released as a free, 18 month historic BOM. Everyone is welcome to make it, including groups. The pattern will be available for free (limited to the block each month)download via the Esther Aliu Yahoo BOM Group only, after launching. Membership is, and always will be, free. Why not join us today?

Call To All Quilters!

I would like to call on all quilters, especially in the UK where this quilt was made, to look into your guild archives and groups and associations and find this beautiful, historic quilt. It must be somewhere. It's last reference is it's owner ( Mrs. Erith of Dedham) who granted permission for it to be included in the book 'Patchwork. It's important enough to have been featured in Averil Colby's book - so we know it has significance, but where is it?

Have you seen this quilt? Please let me know anything you know and hopefully we can solve this mystery. Feel free to add a comment or email me directly contact@estheraliu.com