Going back in time

Last April I started a new quilt project, 6.5" squares cut out of vintage sheets, pillowcases and tablecloths blogged about here

After sewing a few rows together, I stumbled there was something not quite right about it, it was lacking it's quaint charm (you know that one you see when other people create their vintage sheet masterpieces) well I called out to the bloggy friends for a bit of help here, it was decided that the orange / green check (ex tablecloth that was horrible to sew with) needed to go. BUT that involved unpicking and I don't do well with unpicking or re-doing projects. So into the cupboard it went. Until this year's 2012 challenge popped up and I decided it was time to get cracking on it. First things first, unpick orange / green check. Then off to the op shop yesterday to see what I could find.

I struck op shop gold and decided to leave some of it still there for the next person collecting vintage type fabrics / sheets. I only wanted to spend $10 and I did exactly that. Two sheets (above) set me back $7 but that pink was so gorgeous!

I then picked up 6 pillowcases and while I know some of these are probably more 80's era they were still floral and at 50c each I thought I'd grab them anyhow and re-donate if they didn't work.

   

So I came home in the stinking heat that was yesterday and started cutting and cutting and cutting some more. A couple of hours later I had a pretty little stack of vintage charms. All 144 squares stacked up in a star ready for sewing!



I still wasn't 100% sold on some of the squares so decided to lay them all out on the floor to see how it flows. As the rows grew, so did my love for the squares mixed and matched. No particular thought except to scatter the colours around. While I was undecided about that darker pillowcase (pictured above) I love that it gives it a little more depth while not taking away from the lighter colours.

It was so darn big, I couldn't photograph all the squares lying in rows. This is about 3/4 of the quilt. I am for the time being doing 12 x 12 (that's 12 rows of 12 squares) which will make it 72" square) IF I decide to add more it will be simply a case of more cutting and adding more rows to either side! I am stoked at how it looks for now!



What do you think - MUCH better than that ghastly original I was trying to do with that orange / green check? This morning I've managed to sew up 2 rows. Hopefully will get another 2 done before I pick up the girl and go out to lunch… wish me luck!

    

So the BIG question… will this remain a picnic blanket or will I try to get it on the boat as our bed quilt. Hubby didn't seem terribly keen on the idea and when I suggested to him that it would be perfect as the boat is circa 1960's and these are mainly 1970's it would be the perfect fit. He muttered something along the lines of can't we have blue or something similar… But then THIS from the man who doesn't quite 'get' quilting. I'll let you know how I go convincing him!