On Sunday, while I was searching for some pieces I had made for another UFO, I came across these 6 Oak & Reel blocks. I started these in 2012. I know that because I had made copies of the article/pattern from the American Patchwork & Quilting April 2012 issue.
As I looked at this neatly packaged project with background squares, templates, and pattern, I still loved the Jo Morton pattern and the Jo Morton fabrics I had chosen, but I also I realized I was never going to make the additional 24 blocks needed to complete this quilt.
So while I may have outgrown this project, I didn't want to just ignore these beautiful needle-turned orphan blocks and put them back on the UFO pile.
I decided on a simple setting with plain blocks in between the Reel blocks (much like the original quilt) and a Jo Morton stripe (which I had actually bought for the border of the full quilt) on each end. I was excited by my use of these now orphan blocks in a new runner that will eventually grace my kitchen island. I enthusiastically basted my new runner together.
I started hand quilting the Reel blocks. It has been a long time since I quilted something that was not big stitch quilted with perle cotton. I dug out my hand quilting thread and my good quilting thimble and got to work.
Soon I had another decision to make. What should I quilt in the plain blocks? I searched my quilting stencils (buried at the bottom of a drawer) and came up with two options.
I decided on the star pattern and I am enjoying the hand quilting on these... even if my arthritic hands are not so happy!
My assistant of course had to add her two cents worth of fur!
Hopefully I can show you another finish very soon.
(By the way, I never did find those pieces I was originally looking for! LOL)
(By the way, I never did find those pieces I was originally looking for! LOL)
Happy Stitching,
Deb
What a great way to lose the guilt over a UFO - your table runner looks so good and goes with the season!
ReplyDeleteYes, I felt quite impressed with myself for taking the blocks by the selvage and turning them into something completed - at least in the process of. Reality check is sometimes the best thing!
ReplyDeleteIt looks great and will be a beautiful quilt soon. Your assistant is the icing on the cake! Kind regards from Germany, Annett
ReplyDeleteYou're invited to visit my blog, there's the Chicken Run (a pincushion giveaway / swap) going on.
Annett, thank you so much for stopping by my blog. I hope you come back often - I have visited your blog and it looks like a lot of fun!
DeleteThat is a great runner and waaaay better than letting the blocks languish in UFO-land. I recently discovered that the kitchen island makes a great showplace for my smaller pieces. I sure don't know why it took me so long to figure that out!.
ReplyDeleteYes, it certainly feels good to move from... what will ever happen to these poor blocks... to showcasing them and enjoying them everyday. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI love this block. I did one for a sampler years ago...yours is gorgeous and we cat-owners always appreciate our assistants! :) FREE HAIR FOR YOUR QUILT, ha ha :)
ReplyDeleteWhat would a quilt be without cat hair attached!!! Oak & Reel is one of my favorites too!
DeleteOh wow! Love your oak & reel blocks! These have been on my quilty list forever. Wonderful way to use them up and hopefully start to enjoy them.:)
ReplyDeleteYes, I have loved this block for a long time. Also made a Christmas table topper with a similar Oak & Reel pattern a few years ago. I think they are very elegant.
DeleteSeriously the unplanned is sometimes the most fun!!!
ReplyDeleteOh, it's so exhilerating to do something unexpected! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteThese little orphans are going to make a handsome runner for your island, Debra. Worth every minute of that hand quilting. Lovely post. Your last line made me smile!
ReplyDeleteYes, I think the hand quilting was definitely the way to go with such a traditional and old quilt block. Thanks for stopping by and checking them out!
DeleteÇok güzel ve ilginç tasarım, kıvrımları dikmek zor olmalı. Sevgiler.
ReplyDeleteBlogumu ziyaret ettiğiniz için teşekkür ederiz.
DeleteI just found your blog and I love this pattern! Can I find it somewhere???
ReplyDelete