Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Tennessee Lightnin'


When I was in Tennessee with Mary, Bonnie and Tina, we all got a few items at the Cleveland Goodwill.  We split them up 4 ways and each went home with a bag.  



This is the start of what I'm making with the pieces.




It's inspired by this African American quilt made by an unknown maker in the 1930's.  
It was found near Huntsville, Alabama.




It's shown in one of my all-time favorite books.  Scott Hefley features his very inspiring collection of African American quilts in this book called Bold Improvisation



I made a similar quilt last spring with a combination of fabrics from other friends.  

I love the challenge of making a quilt from a wacky bunch of fabrics!  

26 comments:

Rachaeldaisy said...

You sure know what to do with a wacky bunch of fabrics!! This is going to be another beauty!!

apiecefullife said...

I love your quilts but I easpecially like this one.

antique quilter said...

looks like the start of another beauty! thanks for the book suggestion, now to decide is it one i need????
This is one of my favorite quilts you have made
Kathie

Cynthia@wabisabiquilts said...

Wacky and sooo pleasing to the eye!

sheila 77 said...

Lovely fabric combinations - the pink dots against the stripes and the little bit of checked - great fun.

Marit said...

A very promising start for another lovely. Like how vibrant colors you choose. And I will find that book in my shelves and have another good look at it. Thank you!
; )

Unknown said...

You are definitely on a HST binge! But I so love what you are doing with them!!

Lisa said...

Oh la la! I love those HST quilts! How big are your squares?? Just delightful.

Tonya Ricucci said...

whee, love it. fab group of fabrics and I love that inspiration quilt design.

Carla said...

Your quilts always make me smile!

Chris said...

Love what you've got going here - it's got that Nifty look..I'm wondering what did these fabrics start out as? shirts?
Also, may I just say that I LOVE the colors in the photo in your previous post, of the wooden walkway through the trees - those brilliant greens, the yellows, even the brown wood - delicious color! Happy quilting~

beth said...

you have me wanting to make a zigzag!!

Kim said...

I'm cutting HST and watching you!
Love both of them and wonder where my
challenge will lead me? Like Beth I, really want to make a zigzag !

Thanks for more inspiration LeeAnn and
Happy Sewing

Barb said...

I love your zig zag quilt and I'm working on very similar one with swap flying geese that I'm doing with friends. I thought I had made up the arrangement, but I think it is the same as your - hope you don't mind.
love the HTS too.
Aren't challenges and swaps fun?

Selvage Quilter said...

I love this quilt! I remember your marathon sewing session in NYC. It's great to see some of my scraps in there too. This quilt is one of my all time favorites.

Karen said...

With quite a mix of fabrics, the design lends itself well to creating a very interesting quilt. I like it. Very vintage looking.

Mary Keasler said...

Ah! oh so Nifty! I love it.

Bonnie Hull said...

Oh please...now is that nice...to provide us with THAT standard to live up to? Hmmm...okay, I'm going to get my Tennessee bag out and take a look, but I'm pretty sure it won't be so cool...what a colorist you are. xo

Clare said...

What I love about reading blogs is discovering new to me books. Wow! It's going on my Wish List.

Love the pinks.

Victoria Findlay Wolfe said...

the pink and DOTS rock! it will be another beauty! You have that magic touch!

smazoochie said...

Oh! You beat me to it! That quilt has been on my To-Do List fr a long time. I LOVE what you are doing with it!

Sujata Shah said...

One of my favorite quilts in the book! Love your NY geese. Bonnie is right.. you set a very high standard for us. Keep at it, we love seeing everything that comes out of your sewing room.

Sharon said...

Wow, I love your blocks! You sure have a knack for combining fabrics! I love the dots with the stripes! And I LOVE your NY quilt too. I want to do the HSTs too now!

That book is already on my wish list. It's probably time to move it to the top.

Looking forward to this weekend - see you soon!

Teresa Rawson said...

I LOVE that Tennessee Lightnin'!!! It just goes to show me that we all need to loosen up a bit and let the magic just happen!!

Thanks for the inspiration!

In stitches,
Teresa :o)

Theodora quilts said...

Hello LeeAnn and thanks for stopping by and joining in on my quilt shop hop I sure enjoyed myself while there shopping for fabric, I also hit some goodwill and got some goodies along with some packets of needles 20 in a pack for .35 cents I got all there was about 12 packs ,there are not very many good will shops in the area. My table is being shipped and it will take a couple of months to get here and I can't wait to set it up. I like your quilt that your making it is much brighter and funner than the one in the photo I also remember the one you made similar last spring I really like your colors I hope you had a nice time on your trip . take care theodora

Victoria said...

Oh, wow! I think you are an absolute master when it comes to combining color and pattern!!