Saturday, May 11, 2013

That 70's Quilt

I've become obsessed with a certain quilt block pattern.  

I found it used in an old quilt here.  According to Barbara Brackman's Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Block Patterns,* it's called "Shooting Star," and dates back to 1895.  



I made it with my 1970's fabrics.  Each block is 24 inches, so the whole thing is 72 inches square.




This block is a great way to show off large prints.  
This print is from a table cloth that came with 4 inch white fringe.





This one is yardage, 36 inches wide, of course.

(Sorry about the blur.  It was sunny, but breezy outside today.)




More yardage--perfect for a summer dress.





Another table cloth, which also came with white fringe, paired with and a man's shirt.




An apron with sleeves.




The print is bark cloth, and was made into napkins.  The gingham was curtains.  




Home decorator yardage.


I just love these fabrics!  They remind me of the carefree days of my teens and twenties.

Here are some other quilts I've made using 1970's fabrics.














HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

*The Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns is an excellent resource for over 4,000 quilt block patterns.  The book is out of print, but there's a digital version called Block Base here.














39 comments:

O'Quilts said...

Thank u...I enjoyed the nice quilt show:)

audrey said...

You do amazing things with fabric! Love the fun, playful vibe that all your quilts seem to have. Very cool to see that line-up of quilts!

Cynthia@wabisabiquilts said...

I think I grew up with that green tablecloth! Fabulous quilts - I especially like the house quilt.

Quiltdivajulie said...

Love the spools and the lava lamps . . . and your creativity!!!!!

Quiltdivajulie said...

Love the spools and the lava lamps . . . and your creativity!!!!!

Kim said...

Wow what a nice quilt collection...I do really like the way you see things, blocks and colors and making something special from recycled bits and pieces.
I do have some of those same fabrics :0).

Have a blessed Mother's Days

Elaine M said...

Thank you for sharing your quilts. Love what you have done. Shooting Stars is a great block for large prints. The spools is wonderful, so cheerful. I recognize some of the prints.

Debra said...

Great quilts!

Julia Wood said...

I love your work!

Jan said...

I am already wading in fabric and now your fabulous 70's quilts make me want to jump up right now and dig out the 'several' large boxes of vintage fabrics I have tucked away in a spare room closet! Are you happy?
Seriously, how wonderful are your new pieces?! The spools quilt might be my favorite. Today, anyhow.

Ada Plouvier-Kopitopoulou said...

Whah! Fantastic quilts. I love these 70's prints. Sweet memories too! I use shirts, tablecloth's and whatever fabric I can lay my hands on.

judith said...

These blocks are really huge!
I love your 70's quilts :)

Julierose said...

I really like those 1970's quilts you've made! I think the houses are especially smashing! Hugs, Julierose

Alice said...

Goodness, you have quilts coming out of your pores! They're all fantastic.

Helen in the UK said...

What fun quilts! Particularly like the spools and tumbler quilts :)

Chris said...

Thanks for the fun tour - LOVE your quits always...and those 70s prints are so nostalgic. I made all of my own clothes in jr. hi and high school, pretty sure I wore some of those prints. Happy Mother's Day!

Margaret said...

Love the colors and energy in your quilts ... impossible to choose a favorite as they are all wonderful!

Sharon said...

These are fantastic! Love the retro fabrics!

Nancy said...

You've been busy in a most colorful way! Love those old fabrics, and the assortment of types from home dec to aprons. The Tumbler is quite intriguing.

Vicki W said...

I love every quilt in this post! The house and tumbler quilts really call to me.

Tonya Ricucci said...

fabulous. love how you find these fabrics and turn them into wonderful quilts.

Brenda said...

Thanks for a great demonstration of using us oldies but goodies and Barbara Brackman's book. I have the book and lots of great fabrics and now I'm inspired to start piecing!

Nina Lise@Mrs Moen said...

These are awesome! You certainly have brought these beauties back to life!
Happy mother's day to you too!

Alice said...

Reminds me of things my grandmother sewed - and wore!
Thanks for your comment on my blog, and Happy Mother's day to you too.

Carla said...

Your quilts are amazing! Thank you for sharing your talent with us...happy Mother's Day!

Ailsa (Cape Pincushion) said...

Another original, inspiring quilt! I love the block you chose.

fiberchick said...

I now share your obsession! Both the original and your quilts are just fantastic. Those 70's fabrics are so freaking happy.Thanks for the show!

Paulette said...

I love this new quilt, and all your 70s-inspired others as well!

Mary Keasler said...

You have done it up right! Another brilliant success. Ah, the 70's. We were all really stylin' back then. Wish I had saved all my clothes and fabrics from those days.

Karen H said...

I love your 70's quilts... I'm always on the lookout for fabric from that time period....And my favorite fragrance is Patchouli.... :)

Rachaeldaisy said...

Ohh I love it when you do a Nifty Quilt Show!! Every quilt is an absolute beauty!!

janequiltsslowly said...

Wow, love that 70's quilt!

Terry said...

The quilts remind me of my youth. Big and bright. They will be a quilt historians treasure or nightmare
Love seeing so many quilts all together.

Marit said...

Your shooting star is so beautiful, the colors are really shining. Some of my favorite blue and greens with the added golden contrast.
So many colorful and a bit crazy quilts, just the right thing to make one smile. Have fun, creating...
xo

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

They all look great & make me smile!! Linda @ kokaquilts

MulticoloredPieces said...

Hi, NIfty. That old shooting star pattern is so pleasing, maybe because of the simplicity of its design. And were we that wild in the 70s? Just goes to show that one should never clean out a stash. Gorgeous quilts, as usual. I enjoyed seeing your NYC photos. What fun!
best, nadia

Helen said...

I began quilting in the 70's, but I bought those dull calico fabrics they were selling to quilters in those days. I could kicky myself now when I see what I should have used! These speak the decade!

Teresa Rawson said...

What a fabulous blast from the past. That is a great block, and your fabrics are a riot!

In stitches, Teresa :o)

Sherri ~ daintytime said...

You're doing great work. I also have a lot of 70's vintage prints. I like how you are using them. I especially love the last quilt you showed on the post.