New Laura Ashley Brother Sewing Machine and First "Restyled" Blocks

My first new sewing machine in 45 years is resting on top of my 45 year old Kenmore. It is SEW SWEET! 

I tried it out this afternoon on the following six "restyled" quilt blocks. They were originally all kind of boring nine patch squares and not always with matching corners. Now you don't notice the corners. Looks like I will be busy "squaring up" these new/old 1960's quilt blocks. ( And my photos don't show how square these blocks actually are!)

Block #1 (I remember a hip-hugger skirt in 1967 made of the green fabric.)

Block #2 (I had a dress made of the green and red check.)

Block #3 (Don't remember either of these fabrics.)

Block #4 (Not sure about these, but cute yellow flowers in both fabrics!)

Block #5 (This still reminds me of the British flag. TeeHee!)

Block #6 (Crazy block!)

Quilt Top Gone Wrong!

I suppose I should rename this new blog "Quilts Made from Scraps." Because by the time I ripped apart and recut my mother's forgotten quilt top from the late 1960's/early 1970's, I had more scraps than "scratch."

Here is the quilt top Mom and I found in a sewing basket in the summer of 2015. Mom did not ever remember putting this "interesting" quilt top together, but some of the fabrics were definitely leftover scraps from some of my late 1960's college dresses and hotpants ( teehee, imagine that!). 

Besides the color combinations being hideous, nothing was squared up or even cut straight. Maybe that was before Mom bought a rotary cutter and cutting pad.  And no corners were matched up!  Even the joining of different fabric weights and content was off. 

As the 9 patch squares were not all 12" squares, the connecting light blue ( probably bedsheet) squares did not fit. And to top it all off, the squares had been just haphazardly sewn together with various seam widths. Guess Mom had not heard at that time that most quilters use 1/4 inch seams. 

So I did to Mom's quilt top what she did to almost all of her mother's quilts! Ripped it apart to begin from scratch. Or at least "almost scratch."

First, I spent a few hours picking out the seams attaching the light blue connecting squares.

Next, I squared up most of the almost 12" squares. I skipped the pressing, and that may cause my version to be somewhat wonky. But who will notice besides me? The whole thing is already wonky!

Then I divided each square into 4 equal 6" squares. ( Note the pinked edges from my rotary cutter.)

Next, I began moving around the pieces to get a better motif. 

Not this one.

Looks a bit better. 

Maybe if I flip flopped the pieces it would be a better match? 

Now let's look at another patch.

I actually like this 9 patch square as it is.

But I guess this is the motif I like the best for the quilt top.

But this with a border is not too bad either.

And another one:

Gosh, why did she join these designs and colors?

Hum?

Okay!

No!

Nope!

There are 31 of these 9 patch squares, so I have lots more to look at.

Last one for today:

Should go back and swap a couple of pieces before doing the rest.

Still like this 4 blade windmill the best.

Nope!

Maybe?

Lots of decisions for this forgotten work of art.

Found $10.00 Treasure

Hand appliqued bouquet.

Even more!

The lady at the thrift store said this $10 deal was once a duvet cover, but there is no opening for a duvet to slip inside. So your guess is as good as mine about the purpose of this huge painstakenly hand appliqued piece. Beautiful work! And as far as I can see, no mending necessary! Yippee!

I couldn't leave this bouquet of roses hanging over the folding chair in that almost empty booth at that store!

It will be added to my UFO pile for future quilting.