doll’s fan quilt

I’ve been thinking of other small quilts one could make with scraps - and after perusing this fabulous book …

… decided to try the doll’s fan quilt.  Naturally, I decided to try this at 10 to 6 this evening when I should have been preparing dinner, tidying the house, folding washing - bathing the dogs would even have been a worthier option ’cause they STINK from the all the wet weather.  

And when I’m doing things in a guilty rush, I utilise the most slapdash, inefficient and un-economical methods.  Oh well, it was fun, and now I have a number of ways not to construct a doll’s fan.

So these were the templates …

… and I decided to re-acquaint myself with foundation piecing (doesn’t everybody do this at 10 to 6).  After a couple of false starts - I can never remember which way to place the fabrics - I had my wedges done, and then the red centre.  Then the wailing from the family proved overwhelming and I had to down tools and cook dinner.  Gee they’re demanding!

Whilst sauteing onion, I measured the little fan and could have cried.  Despite my careful foundation piecing, it appeared to be too small.  Then I realised, I hadn’t added the border - this would add the needed 1/2 inch!  Huh!  Thank goodness.  

After dinner, I pinned, pinned, pinned - I bought these red pins the other day - they are fine and sharp and they’re all red so I won’t have to worry about matching my pins! - and then carefully sewed that curve.

It was so neat!

So lessons learnt - foundation piecing is okay, not convinced it would not be quicker and easier to cut a template and just piece the jolly wedges.  And secondly, don’t cut templates out of flimsy-as foundation stuff - you cannot cut around them with an degree of accuracy.  Der!

I will make as many as I can from these lovely scraps but I’m not sure I’ll continue with the foundation piecing.  I might just cut out a template - I certainly will be doing that for the other two pieces.

btw, the original quilt was put together by Sara Nephew - author of the book - she found a bundle of 15 squares in a box and they were intended to be dandelions.  The book is a delight to read - Ms. Nephew has collected photos and stories of the women who made many of the quilts in the book, and she also includes copies of newspaper advertisements from the 1930s.  The language is just delightful.  Let me share one little article with you …

Though many of us have little opportunity nor inclination to see the rising sun, we still find it very lovely to look at in a gay coloured quilt.  This one, aptly named Rising Sun, will be lovely with the sun’s rays made in scraps or in three different materials.  The block goes together quickly - before you know it, you’ll have enough ready for your quilt.  In pattern 5346 you will find that block chart, an illustration of the finished block in actual size, showing contrasting fabrics; accurately drawn pattern pieces; an illustration of the entire quilt; three colour schemes, step by step directions for making the quilt, and exact yardage requirements.  To obtain this pattern send 10 cents in stamps or coin (coin preferred) to Mary Cullen’s Household Arts Department, The Journal.  

Ms. Nephew comments that many thirties patterns must be redrafted as it seems as if some of the designers had never pieced a quilt themselves - they were more focussed on producing something new!  

Still, how marvellous that the newspaper offered a new patchwork pattern every week!  

Oh and did you see the yellow background?  I bought this beautiful yellow fabric today at a patchwork store in Cleveland (where Nanny and Grandad live) - it almost has a slight sheen to it like a chintz and was available in every colour imaginable. It is beautiful quality and the yellow looks just glorious with my 1930s fabrics.  

I also bought this gorgeous fabric - oooooh!  I think I will slice it into borders.  Nanny wished wistfully for her 5 daughters to be young again so that she could make them all a dress in it! - she bought 2 metres too!  Can’t you just imagine pillowcases trimmed in this!  Or quilt sashing!

Oh dear, I’ve just “woken up” - it was my coarse snoring that jolted me awake as I sit here on the sofa in the quiet, dimly lit hum of the heater! Hope this post makes sense! I’d best be off to bed.  Good night!

 

 

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