h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi Kasese, long time no hear! How are you?

I've been going through some fairly major RL stuff recently, won't bore you with the details; if you want to find out more, the quick way is to ask Abbi (probably by e-mail); the slow way is to read the "eyes" threads!

Anyway, whatever. I was reading recently about "Crazy Quilts"; it was a very short bit (in French!) within a larger article about patchwork. There was only one small illustration, but I really liked it, seems like the sort of patchwork I could get into!

I'm going to do a google on it, but as you are so into quilts etc; I wondered if you'd heard of it & could tell me your views?

squeak soon!

Terri.

Hi Terri- Ccrazy quilts were born during the Victorian era. They are generally made from irregular shaped pieces of fabric sewn together and embellished with broiderie bead work etc. Most of the originals were made with scraps of velvet, silk and brocade. They were made to use up one's bits of fabric but also to show off one's fine needlework. You should have no trouble finding information on them through google. You may even find some examples at the Smithsonian site. The Albert Museum in London may have something as well. These quilts have made a come back amongst modern day quilters but usually in the wall hanging size. Good luck, let me know how your search results turn out. Kathleen

Hi kasese,

Yes, I had a great time googling this; kept me amused for hours! I almost certainly won't have the patience to do anything like some of the stuff I looked at, but it's given me some great inspiration & I'll probably try a small example. I've got my eye on a little shop here that makes hats, plucking up courage to go in & beg for scraps; not easy with my "terri"ble French, but could be a wonderful source of "bits"!

What are you working on at the moment?

Terri

hi there- I thought you'd have fun. Once you get into quilting sites, the insperation is endless. I'm presently working on what is called a Baltimore Album quilt. These quilts originated in the mid 1800s in the U.S. and were primarily made as presentation or commemerative quilts. and were originally made in colours of red and green. If you want to see some examples, google has lots of sites on the subject. My quilt is completely hand made and is to commemerate my parent's 50th wedding anniversary. Each block took me about 25 hrs. to sew and the boarders took weeks. The hand quilting however has taken me many mondths. I can almost see the end of the tunnel. Because I prefer hand applique to piecing, my next project will either be a Hawaiin type quilt or I've been thinking of reproducing some Rennaisance decorative panels. Lately, my mind is unable to focus on one thing at a time. I'm also fascinated with the art of Aubrey Beardsly and some of his illustrations would lend themselves to the fabric medium quite well. Take a look at the Baltimore Album quilts and tell me what you think. Some of them are overly ornate but mine is somewhat simpler and modernized. Catch you later, Kathleen

Hi Terri- Any luck with your Crazy Quilting? Let me know how it's going K

Hi there!

Not yet got round to starting anything, but have looked at quite a few sites. I really love the idea of Aubrey Beardsley quilting though, just my sort of era, very "Home of Today"!

I've got a bit sidetracked recently, I'm working on a very different thing, using pieces of glass which have been eroded by the sea & sand, building them up into a sort of igloo type structure. I can only add one or two bits a day, it's very delicately balanced & requires quite a bit of care & patience; not something I have a lot of usually, so it's probably very therapeutic!

I'm still determined to do some quilting though. I've got two cushions with pretty ugly covers & want them to look sort of mediaeval, but if it takes too long to do, I know I'll never finish them!

Terri.