Tuesday, November 3, 2015

LeMoyne Star Quilt


Back in 2011, I visited Marit and her mother in law, Linda Dodd.  
Linda has a rich quilt-making heritage.  She kindly showed us some of the family quilts.
This one really caught my eye.  I took several photos and vowed to make one like it.
You can read the quilt's story at the bottom of the post.



After studying the quilt closely, I realized it was pieced by hand.  
I tried, but couldn't find an easy way to piece it by machine and keep the integrity of the original.
 Besides, I needed a travel project.



So I bought Jessica's great book and learned how to do English paper piecing. 
Her instructions are very clear and easy to understand. 
Plus, she shows you how to make the perfect little travel sewing kit. 



Forty-nine stars--mostly made on trips--and over a year later, 
I decided it's time to start connecting them.
My plan is to make 100 stars.  




I found the red I wanted, and began cutting squares.




This weekend I began connecting stars and squares.  Very exciting!

I can't believe I've taken on such a labor intensive, long term project.  
But something about this quilt kept talking to me.  




Recently I remembered this block is called LeMoyne Star.  
My mother's name was LaMoyne--a different spelling, but still--
and her favorite color was red.  
Hmmm....


Here's the story of the quilt. 
Linda's grandmother, Dora Stevens, made the quilt from 1940's feed sack remnants. 
The remnants came from dresses that Linda's mother, Elsie Mae Peterson, 
had sewn for two of her daughters, Ester and Carol--Linda's older sisters.  
It was war time, and Elsie took great care to find matching feed sacks 
so the girls could dress alike. 



The quilt is tied with red embroidery floss. 
It has a pieced back.




37 comments:

Supergoof said...

feedsacks from the war made a verry happy quilt, I'm in love,...
:o)

Julie Fukuda said...

I like good take-along projects too but I don't think I would ever try that by paper piecing. It is certainly going to be lovely when finished.

Linda said...

What a fabulous quilt and such a lovely story of how it was made. Good luck with your own hand made project. What a lot of work but obviously enjoyable.

Quilteuse Forever said...

EPP is relaxing, portable, but very long! This is a slow-stitch project, enjoy each moment!
You really have dozens of good reasons to make this particular quilt! Its scrappy look make it irresistible and its story is just what we enjoy, don't we?
LeMoyne, LaMoyne... Could possibly your mother being of French origin?

I recently wrote to Marit, she is a very kind and talented person. She is connected with her family in law in such a great way, quiltmaking!

Janet said...

What a wonderful quilt to make. Stars, red fabric and feed sacks, a great combination.

Chris said...

This is indeed a nifty quilt! Love the quilts story and your family connection too - meant to be? A little surprised at the construction, I have pieced them as square clocks but your way makes perfect sense. Enjoy - just lovely!

Julierose said...

Beautiful quilt you've got going there! My Grand-mere's maiden name was LeMoine--but I've never attempted one of those stars...looks like you found a great way to do it. Hugs, Julierose

Marit said...

You are off to a beautiful start. The red really makes the stars shine. This quilt is holding so many layers of stories already. Love that it also is a wip that you carry with you when travelling. Very interesting name of these blocks, and what a special connection with your mother's family name. Amazing! Seeing how you put them together makes a lot of sense! I have had my eye on these stars for years. There's so many beautiful ways to use them. This is probably the best one yet, but I am likely to be a bit biased on that subject...
; )

Brenda said...

Wow! another great Nifty quilt! I love the red too.

Ann said...

Your stars really sparkle on that turkey red. This will be a delight. Congratulations.

audrey said...

It makes so much sense to hand stitch this sort of quilt. Love the connection you feel to your project and the journey it's already been on! It already is obvious that this one will be another Nifty beauty.:)

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

Wonderful stars!And the red is perfect for them. I love the little bits of gingham sprinkled everywhere! And the original quilt is a real beauty too, very inspiring!

Janie said...

Wow, I agree, inspiring, not to mention super beautiful, both Linda Dodd's quilt and yours. Thanks for sharing.

apiecefullife said...

Another quilt on my "to do" list. I love your, love the red.

Hilacha (loose strand) said...

Chapeau! on your EPPiecing those le moyne stars! And then, you have a real talent for working with reds.
Will it take you another year to finish the intended 100? Keep the spirit up. I'm sure that the final result will be even better thatn what you have shown so far.

Mary Keasler said...

What a delight with your signature reds, no less. It is gonna be beautiful. And all by hand, yet. Very impressive.
And by the way, do I see some familiar feed sack prints in there?

Sharon said...

I love hand piecing Lemoyne stars. Perfect take along project and when you are finished, you will have another amazing quilt for your collection!

Rachaeldaisy said...

Some quilts deserve to be sewn by hand and this looks like a joy to sew with it's wonderful fabrics combined with that glorious red. It's lovely that your quilt already has a story and history by it's connection with the quilt made by Dora.

Quiltdivajulie said...

While I would not be likely to undertake an EPP project like this, I totally understand why you accepted the long term challenge . . . some thing simply NEED to be created. The results are already gorgeous. Happy stitching!

beth s said...

You always inspire me!!

bumblebee53 said...

That looks outrageously complex, and worth every bit of the effort. Love the original and your own - and the story connecting you and this square.

Monica said...

"I can't believe I've taken on such a labor intensive, long term project."

Yes, that is what I say every time I pick up my Texas Star. But, the end is near! Fortunately, I still like it. :D

Rebecca in AK said...

The original quilt is a beauty! And yours will be too! That is the perfect red too. Will you call yours "LaMoyne Star"?

smazoochie said...

Obviously, you were destined to make this quilt!
No wonder you were so inspired, the old one is a beauty & your new one is as well.
You are making me itch to start some sort of hand work.

lindaroo said...

What a treasure! No wonder you were inspired.

Barb said...

Wow - I love it for so many reasons! PP sent me the wrong diamonds for my workshop, what size are you using? I might have a whole bag for you.
This is how I did my giant star (which still needs quilting) I had fun doing the large pieces.
This is going to be fabulous. what red are using? it's wonderful!

Ailsa (Cape Pincushion) said...

Its going to be stunning! I love the colours and hand-piecing is so rewarding. I am addicted to paper-piecing now. I can do it while hanging out with my husband; its much more social than sewing with the sewing machine.

Judy Martin said...

Wow, congratulations on what you have achieved so far. Everything about this quilt is beautiful and happy, but the colours are what make it sing. I love that you are carrying forward the tradition in so many ways. This will be a heirloom. xo

Tonya Ricucci said...

gorgeous. brilliant red background, love it

Unknown said...

Absolutely beautiful!!! Which red are you using? Is it a Kona?
This quilt takes me to your Eyelash quilt..... which also has a perfect red!!

fiberchick said...

Another beauty on the way! So great that you know the history of the inspiration quilt too. How do you like paper piecing?

Karen said...

You have well met the challenge of the LeMoyne Star design.

Nifty Quilts said...

Hi all, Thank you for your sweet comments. They'll keep me going on this loooong term project. For those who asked what red I'm using, I don't remember. It's a Kona, probably Classic Red, or maybe Chinese Red.

Bonnie Hull said...

as usual your impeccable stitching shows through...amazing. xo

www.essay-writer.club said...

This quilt looks very attractive. And it seems it is very intricate. Good luck with it!

Julierose said...

Love your paper pieced LeMoyne Star-my grand-mere's maiden name was Lemoine (diff. sp, too). I have always wanted to make one--but the points scared me away--maybe this is the way to go. AND I have that book--hugs, Julierose

Annemieke said...

Oh this is so nice and fun too.....everything that you show here is becoming a project I would love to try. And I also started English paper piecing a few years ago, it is very different from machine sewing but I love it in a different way too. It must be excited to see it grow.
Groetjes
Annemieke