Saturday, November 27, 2010

MANSFIELD PARK

No, it's not a Jane Austin movie.  It's a quilt - duh!!  That's the name of the pattern I've been working on and it's designed by Karen Montgomery, published by Timeless Treasures.  I saw it made up several years ago at a quilt show and that is the first time I ever had the desire to make a basket quilt.  I have spent the last several days putting the sashing and corner stars together.  It is in 3 sections right now.

I'm seriously thinking about sandwiching it in 2 pieces so I can comfortably quilt it on my sewing machine (since it's a double bed size).  Even though when I did this once before I swore I would never do that again!  However, that was a long time ago, and I think I've learned a lot since then and it might not be so bad after all.  For one thing, I would like to quilt it myself - after doing some big time practicing - and after I figure out how I want to quilt it.  Any suggestions would be welcome.


I'm winding up my Christmas preparations.  Yesterday I put up a few Christmas decorations, but not a tree.  We won't be here for Christmas, however, I'm not a total scrooge and I love the decorations.  How are your preparations going?

17 comments:

  1. Fantastic work, Ruth. I love the patterns, the colors, everything.

    ~Joan

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  2. Your basket quilt is fabulous! Good luck with you quilting! I would probably do some sort of free motion design in the basket.♥

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  3. Those baskets look great! Wasn't it early this year you had stacks and stacks of pieces and part you were showing us? I hope the half-and-half quilting method goes well for you this time around. It's going to be wonderful when it's done.

    And we don't have a Christmas tree either. Because we have an Emma. And the other kitties would probably try to climb it, too, so it's just not worth the trouble. (If we had kids or guests, we would have one, though.)

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  4. Love the quilt! My decorating is coming along, too!

    Liri

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  5. I love little baskets and yours are so cute. I love the colors and fabrics you have used! I don't have any suggestions for quilting at the moment but whatever you decide, it will be fantastic. No Christmas decorations here yet. I'm still worn out from Thanksgiving and have not given Christmas much thought. I'll get in gear pretty soon.

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  6. I just love basket quilts and yours is soooo wonderful!

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  7. I like the setting for the basket blocks. The quilt has just the right amount of pop and of softness.

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  8. I'm sure you will decide on the very best way to quilt those cute little baskets; I wouldn't have a clue how best to do it! I've been digging out Christmas two days now, and still have a long way to go! The GS's wrapped the lights on the tree in the front yard today, but we decided to wait for a few days to light it. I've got to buy more AA batteries; I've played all day with everything that moves or plays! *tee hee* I'm just a kid at heart in spite of my old age! *silly smile!* But I'm having fun! ---"Love"

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  9. I love basket quilts and yours has lovely colors. Wish I had some quilting suggestions, but I am sure you will come up with a great idea.
    I am still in Thanksgiving mode. Probably will not decorate til thje houseguests leave next week end.

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  10. It looks lovely. I would keep the quilting simple, maybe just 1/4" echo lines inside and outside the baskets and the stars in the sashing plus a simple cable on the sashing itself.

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  11. What a terrific quilt top!! I love baskets!

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  12. It's nice to see traditional quilts still being made. I have always enjoyed basket blocks.
    As for Christmas deco...the hubby and I dropped out of the holiday scene years ago.
    Happy Quilting!!

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  13. Your quilt is really lovely. I love the scrappiness of the baskets and stars.

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  14. Wonderful!

    Love the fabrics you used--- they created a lovely vintage quilt---- what a treasure!

    Your Christmas banner is great---thanks for sharing. :) Carolyn

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  15. Hi Ruth
    I just lovely your basket quilt, its beautiful, I have made a similar basket in my latest creation.
    We are setting up our christmas tree tonight. The boys are really excited. Only 12 more school days for them and they will be on their 7 week summer break.

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