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.














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39 comments:

  1. O'QuiltsMay 11, 2013 at 4:20 PM

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

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  2. audreyMay 11, 2013 at 4:29 PM

    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!

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  3. Cynthia@wabisabiquiltsMay 11, 2013 at 4:41 PM

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

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  4. QuiltdivajulieMay 11, 2013 at 5:02 PM

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

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  5. QuiltdivajulieMay 11, 2013 at 5:02 PM

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

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  6. KimMay 11, 2013 at 5:11 PM

    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

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  7. Elaine MMay 11, 2013 at 5:32 PM

    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.

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  8. DebraMay 11, 2013 at 5:51 PM

    Great quilts!

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  9. Julia WoodMay 11, 2013 at 7:02 PM

    I love your work!

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  10. JanMay 11, 2013 at 7:13 PM

    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.

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  11. Ada Plouvier-KopitopoulouMay 11, 2013 at 10:15 PM

    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.

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  12. judithMay 12, 2013 at 12:51 AM

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

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  13. JulieroseMay 12, 2013 at 1:24 AM

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

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  14. AliceMay 12, 2013 at 1:46 AM

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

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  15. Helen in the UKMay 12, 2013 at 1:49 AM

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

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  16. ChrisMay 12, 2013 at 4:11 AM

    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!

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  17. MargaretMay 12, 2013 at 4:18 AM

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

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  18. SharonMay 12, 2013 at 4:38 AM

    These are fantastic! Love the retro fabrics!

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  19. NancyMay 12, 2013 at 5:37 AM

    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.

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  20. Vicki WMay 12, 2013 at 5:46 AM

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

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  21. Tonya RicucciMay 12, 2013 at 6:15 AM

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

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  22. BrendaMay 12, 2013 at 11:15 AM

    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!

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  23. Nina Lise@Mrs MoenMay 12, 2013 at 11:24 AM

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

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  24. AliceMay 12, 2013 at 1:45 PM

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

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  25. CarlaMay 12, 2013 at 8:03 PM

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

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  26. Ailsa (Cape Pincushion)May 12, 2013 at 11:58 PM

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

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  27. fiberchickMay 13, 2013 at 6:39 AM

    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!

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  28. PauletteMay 13, 2013 at 8:08 AM

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

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  29. Mary KeaslerMay 13, 2013 at 2:51 PM

    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.

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  30. Karen HMay 13, 2013 at 6:07 PM

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

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  31. RachaeldaisyMay 14, 2013 at 1:47 AM

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

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  32. janequiltsslowlyMay 14, 2013 at 8:07 AM

    Wow, love that 70's quilt!

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  33. TerryMay 15, 2013 at 4:14 PM

    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.

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  34. MaritMay 16, 2013 at 1:39 AM

    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

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  35. Linda @ kokaquiltsMay 17, 2013 at 10:32 PM

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

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  36. MulticoloredPiecesMay 20, 2013 at 11:55 PM

    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

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  37. HelenMay 23, 2013 at 12:28 PM

    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!

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  38. Teresa RawsonJune 11, 2013 at 6:08 PM

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

    In stitches, Teresa :o)

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  39. Sherri ~ daintytimeJuly 25, 2013 at 9:35 AM

    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.

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