Finally finished another Roseville block. (If I could just stick with one project this might go a bit quicker.) But I really enjoy the process, so I guess there's no rush. Here's my latest block--now I'm done with 5, and I've actually worked a bit on a couple others too. This is not my favorite block, in part because I'm not wild about some of my fabric choices, but I'm trying to leave them be.
The block also has structural issues (why a person shouldn't stitch so late at night). I'm not sure what to do about it. If you look at the basket/bowl, you can see the upper edge bulges up instead of being straight across as it should be. I was initially just going to rip that part out and restitch it, but I can see it is because I must have been following the design of the fabric as I stitched. If I straighten it out, I'm afraid it will be odd looking with partial pencils. (I have no idea how that weird bulge came to be since my freezer paper piece is quite clearly straight and the fabric design is straight.
Well on looking at it again, it seems to be multiple issues. Part of it seems to be that I dropped down on the sides where it attaches. It likely should be reworked at some point--when I have more patience and don't make a hole somewhere!
What do you think? Should I replace that piece of fabric, or should I leave it alone? I was initially going to use red scales instead of pencils for the basket. I also am not wild about the fabric I chose for the side pieces of the basket either--they seem too light. Now would be a good time to switch fabrics if I'm going to. How badly weird does it look to you (please be brutally honest)? I've looked at it too much to "see" it at this point. What would you do?
I liked the Star block in the center of the quilt so much I decided to make it twice, and skip the floral one. Now I'm working on the scrappy pieced borders. Does anyone have any advice about these? I am wondering if I should stick to softer prints like the 2nd and 3rd squares from the bottom on this trial piece. Would it be better to avoid stronger contrasting prints like the 2 in the middle and the one on the bottom? I like all of my fabrics so much, I paid little attention to placement, but perhaps I should. Help!
This is Nancy Smith's Flower Pots quilt. I love the deep colors she used - they just give it a nice contrast. It is hand-pieced and hand quilted.
And here is Nancy's version of the Roseville Album. It is a smaller quilt minus the inside border blocks.
Here is a close-up.
Last, we have the Hearts and Flowers quilt, beautifully done with many shades of rose, fuchsia and blues. It is amazing how much stitching Nancy gets done but she told me she spends her time stitching and not on the internet.........hmmm, maybe my quilts would come along a little faster if I did the same!! Enjoy and thank you Nancy for sharing your quilts!
I got some more photos from Nancy Smith and today I will show her Lollypop Trees. As you can see, Nancy chose her own fabrics, colors and border. Aren't they beautiful?
Nancy has also made over 110 full-sized quilts by hand with 60% of them being applique. She handquilted all but 4 that I machine quilted for her. She is very modest but has many many ribbons she has won for her quilts.
I will post some of her other quilts this week. Isn't this neat - two Nancys and two Lollypop Trees two days in a row! Judith Lockhart
