bring a plate
Here in Australia, invitations to morning teas, school P&F suppers, church jumble sales, family christenings … any event that combines people and food! … are often accompanied by the phrase “… and bring a plate!”
Of course everyone knows that the plate is to be filled, preferably with something homemade, and my Nanny Dougall was the queen of “bring a plate”. She brought pies, and shortbread, and tarts, and beautiful melting moments, and light fluffy sponges - boy could she cook. And the plates were a crazy selection of old Royal Doulton and Meakin plates that both she and her mum had collected. They sat, wreathed with their cheerful Art Deco flowers, in the china cabinet facing the steep sand hills and brilliant blue ocean of Nanny’s little seaside village, and when they were out and about, there were dark rings in the sun bleached wooden shelves, reminding us where to return them.
Now I have several of these plates and they all have a bandaid - an old tatty cloth one - stuck to the back with Nanny’s name - Claire McDougall - written in her faded blue handwriting. She was happy to share the bounty of her kitchen, but by golly, that plate better come back!
So the other day whilst I was sewing bunting, the rich creams, and 1940’s turquoises, greens and oranges, and pink florals reminded me of Nanny’s plates and so was born the “Bring a Plate” quilt - based on the design of my blue Family China Quilt from a few months back.
I chose 10 fat quarters from Peppermint Stitches, some fabulous red and pink check that looks just like the tablecloths Nanny kept in her sideboard, and a wonderful white and red polka dot and set to work.
The plates have 8 wedges in them, the 9th fat quarter makes a pretty lilac centre, and the 10th fat quarter is for green leaves.
And here’s the best bit, from 10 fat quarters I get 32 beautiful, Nanny Dougall plates! Awesome!
So, I have drawn up a 52 inch square quilt with 22 plates sashed with the white and red polka dot, a 6 plate on point table runner, 2 x 1 plate oven mitts (as per Nanette’s advice, I shall practice my stipple machine quilting on these), and the best bit - a 4 plate hexagon shaped tea party quilt for little people and their softie companions. This is the most cheerful and productive project!
The tea party quilt is also including some applique - a wreath/bouquet/blob of flowers in the middle, and then leaves and a smaller flower in each of the triangles. And I have some pretty as green gingham binding - oooh it does look sweet even if I do say so myself.
Now, I just have to make some felt food for these plates … inspired by Nanny of course. But I won’t include the fresh oyster pikelets she used to make me for breakfast. They were delicious. Truly they were!
31 July, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Oh no. Now you’ve done it. I TRULY, TRULY have quilt envy! Gingham? Wedges? Circles? Flowers? Your fat quarter choices were superb too. Oh my. I can’t tear myself away from looking at it on the computer screen. Oh my, Lily! Can you tell I love it???!!!
1 August, 2008 at 12:26 am
MMMMMMM! Perfection!
1 August, 2008 at 1:12 am
Lily, That quilt is amazing. Combining china and quilting, I like it a lot.
I have heard urban legends that recent immigrants used to get quite confused by the “bring a plate” invite and turn up wondering what to do with the plate.
1 August, 2008 at 4:15 am
What a great post — from Nanny’s plates to yours!
1 August, 2008 at 6:22 am
…..so when are you going to start publishing your patterns??!
1 August, 2008 at 2:29 pm
These plates look delicious! You and Amy may convert me to applique yet.
1 August, 2008 at 10:55 pm
[...] ??? are often accompanied by the phrase ?????? and bring a plate!??? Of course everyone knows thttp://blockaday.com/bring-a-plate/RUDD- VERMONT COUNTRY AUCTIONS Saturday, July 5, 2008 10 AM Ben … - Antiques and the Arts [...]
2 August, 2008 at 12:30 am
I love the colors - absolutely beautiful!!!
2 August, 2008 at 4:22 am
oh my! I think that I might float away on how cute those are…like I might have to sneak in the craft room right away and make something that is maybe 1/10 as clever. SO WONDERFUL! I love the print mix, and the little one is just the best! Thank you, thank you for the beauty!
3 August, 2008 at 9:42 am
I loved reading about your Nanny, the queen of “bring a plate” - I imagine a formidable woman with a generous heart, happy to be able to place one of her wonderful cakes on the table. It is so great that you use those memories to create a quilt, and what a wonderful quilt it will be! I love the combination of gingham an polkadots and a wonderful selection of colours for the plates - can’t wait to see more!
6 August, 2008 at 4:57 pm
I love, love, love this project. You simply must publish this pattern, please! It’s fabulous.