Happy Corduroy Appreciation Day!!

The date that most resembles corduroy, 11-11-11, is finally here!

To celebrate, the Corduroy Quilt Enthusiasts have prepared a show for you.  

Click on the links below to see over 30 quilts made from corduroy!   And while you're touring the show, you might like to celebrate the day by wearing corduroy, eating long skinny foods, or recalling your fondest corduroy moments.

 Remember to send your appreciation to our Veterans and their families too!

First, I'll show you my corduroy quilt.  I took the Rebels challenge with the gold and green floral corduroy, added some thrift store clothing and a few bits of yardage.

It's a nice, long size, perfect for a nap on the couch.

Here's a bit of the Rebels challenge fabric.

I used wool batting, tied it with wool yarn...

And backed it with a nice, cozy flannel. 

Now, enjoy the show!

Barbara Brackman's Material Culture

Deb Rowden's Thrift Shop Quilts

Rebels!

Bumblebeans

The Root Connection

Smazoochie

Blue Mountain Daisy

Miki's Fabric Creations

On the Way

Helen No Blog

Scraps and Threadtales

Love, Laugh, Quilt

Quiltdiva Julie

A Needle in a Haystack

Indigo Threads

MO, Broker, My Creative Side

Quilted Under the Influence

Pieced Goods

Good Earth Quilting

The Farmer's Dotter

Feather River Quilts

Jean's Quilting Page

From the Magpie's Nest

The Quilts of Gee's Bend

Save the wales!

Preparing for Corduroy Day!

The fuzz is flying all over the globe! From Australia to Canada, from Europe to all corners of the U.S., quilt makers are preparing their corduroy quilts to show on Corduroy Appreciation Day, 11-11-11.

Check back here on Friday for a list of links that will take you on a show of more than 30 corduroy quilts!

                                                     Save the wales!

Got Corduroy?

Corduroy Appreciation Day, 11-11-11, is just one month away!  Are you preparing to celebrate with a corduroy quilt?

Some of you have written that you're feeling a bit intimidated about working with corduroy.  I'll admit, I was too.  But I grabbed my pile of corduroy and a pair of scissors, and dove in.  I found I really love working with corduroy, especially on a rainy day.  I can't wait to make another one!

Here's the process I used, which is one I learned from China Pettway, of Gee's Bend, Alabama.

First, PUT AWAY YOUR ROTARY CUTTER AND RULER.  You'll only need your scissors.  Next, cut or tear--yes, TEAR--your corduroy into strips of various widths. 

Sew two pieces together, using a bit more than 1/4" seam allowance; iron the seam open from the WRONG side of the fabric.  The corduroy really takes the press nicely and stays open and flat.  Notice there's excess.  Take your scissors and cut it off.  Don't measure; just eyeball it.

Then sew on another piece; iron open, and cut off the excess.

You may be tempted to get out your ruler and square it up.  DON'T!  Just eyeball it.

 This will give you nice subtle angles.

Keep adding to your block in whatever way you like, until you feel like moving on to another block.

Then make more!  Use your scissors and eyeball measurements to make them fit together.  Sometimes you'll need to add a strip here or there. 

This is about one-third of the quilt top I made.  I'm thinking we should reveal our corduroy quilts on our blogs on the big day.  Let me know if you plan to participate, and I'll post a list of Corduroy Quilt Makers with a link to your blog.

Save the wales!