Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Following the parade of quilters....

I couldn't resist joining them *VBS* Amy has hosted a worldwide quilt festival right here on the World Wide Web ! I signed on today at #453. The requirements are that you post a picture of YOUR favorite quilt(all comers welcome), tell about it and link back to Amy's blog.Very probably anyone who has visited my blog,over the past 3 years,has seen this old favorite, "Riding the Orphan Train, Heading West". The blocks used in the quilt are just that,orphans, left overs from other projects, rejects, and a spare parts, added to help them all play together. I think I made it in the late 1980's. I took this picture while I still owned my home. That got sold in 2002, so before that.
It's not made to a specific size, but very much "it is what it is". I utilty quilted it with perle cotton, and as desired, in multiple tread colors. Emphasis on whimsey. It was created in a time when Liberated Quilting was an infant, I believe that Gwen Marston's Liberated Quiltmaking was on the market, but I hadn't seen it as yet. It found very little favor among the quilters I knew and associated with. I was quite surprised at how wonderfully it was accepted here in blogland. Like the Ugly Duckling, it came into it's own, and I love it! *VBS*

30 comments:

Granny said...

I remember that quilt and it sent me searching for orphan blocks around her. Love it!

Scrappy quilter said...

I love this quilt especially knowing it's one of your "orphan train" quilts. The color is fabulous, the work incredible. Hugs..

em's scrapbag said...

I love how talented you are at putting orphan blocks together. You really have a gift. This quilt is beautiful.

BlueRidge Boomer said...

I love it.....this is what quilting is all about.....putting orphan pieces together, to form a whole family!!!

Enjoy......LindaMay

Dolores said...

I love it and I hope you still have it - or have you given it away? Sometimes ideas/styles take time to become in vogue (or is it en vogue?) You were/are ahead of your time.

Zonnah said...

Thats a great idea, putting "orphans" together and making one quilt.

Michelle said...

That is SUCH a great quilt!

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

I think it is stunningly beautiful. The fact that it "is what it is" is what makes it so pretty. There is no pattern and I don't think anyone could duplicate it very easily. :) So there you go - a one of a kind!

Katie said...

And the great train of posts it inspired.

Sunna Reyr said...

Now that is a quilt I would like to own, and I'm not surprised you entered it in the show. I revisit it from time to time and one day I will gather my few oddity's (I've not bin quilting for so many years)and try to make an orphan quilt, hopefully as lovely as yours.

QuiltedSimple said...

I love this quilt - amazing how all those orphan blocks came together so wonderfully!
Kris

Jocelyn said...

What a totally original creative quilt! Love how you pieced everything together. Amazing!

Rosalyn Manesse said...

And the orphan train keeps rolling along!

Quilt Rat said...

Wow! what an incredible result you have achieved. Very striking, great job!

Gari in AL said...

I have a box of orphan blocks that I hope one day to make into a quilt, just like you did. I think it is a great idea and love what you did with yours.

Cindy's Stitching said...

what a fun quilt

Sharon said...

I remember seeing a photo of this quilt on your blog a few years ago...I've always loved this one! It's a great quilt. I have a box full of orphan blocks to put together someday, and I hope mine looks half as good as yours does!

Anonymous said...

Dear Finn, love your Riding the Orphan Train Quilt.....the Spring Quilt Festival is a great idea...hugs lyn

Cher said...

an old favorite and still terrific to see again. isn't blogland the best? there is always a group that will love what you put up and that positive feedback is always welcome. happy to see your post

Dionne said...

I'm glad you shared this quilt because I hadn't seen it before. I love how wonderfully it all works together. I usually relegate orphans to the back of the quilt or to a dusty corner somewhere! Shame on me!
Cheers,
Dionne

Cleary (Cie) said...

That's cool. I have a bunch of blocks I call "My First" that I'm planing someday to do that with. just have to get enough of them.
Huggs,
Cleary

Granny Lyn said...

I just love that poor old orphan...it really is a beautiful swan,,,isn't it?

Jenny said...

This is so beautiful! I love history quilts! Great job.

Kristie said...

That is beautiful! Scrap quilts are my favorite! I really need to make some of these, I probably have enough orphan blocks to make 3 bedsize quilts!
Kristie

Browndirtcottage said...

Orphans no more!! It's lovely!!

Unknown said...

How fun! I love how they all work together :) Thanks for sharing it again!

Tonya Ricucci said...

always a fabulous quilt!

stitchinpenny said...

So many grat shapes , methods and colors to make one great quilt.

Nat Palaskas said...

Very awesome quilt. Love the colors, great quilt for the festival. Thanks for sharing - notnustnat

Karen said...

It is what it is, you say, and I say it is good. I like it very much!