Several years ago, an online quilters group I belong to got into a discussion about other activities we enjoy. Cooking, travel, writing and photography were mentioned quite often, but it turned out nearly all of us had two things in common – we have pets (mostly cats and/or dogs), and we are avid readers. Most of us also had a sizable library of quilting books.
My own collection began with one of the few quilting books available when I made my first quilt in 1973, Ruby McKim’s 101 Patchwork Quilt Patterns. Rotary cutters hadn’t been invented yet, so every one of the 1755 (but who’s counting) 2.5″ squares in my 9-Patch quilt was traced with a pencil around a cardboard template and cut with scissors. Of course, the template’s edges got a bit “softer” with each tracing, so perfectly matching seams were a dream, not a realistic goal. It wouldn’t have won any prizes, but it kept me warm, and that was the point, and I was hooked.
Soon after I began quilting, I discovered Amish quilts, and bought a couple of books about the quilts made in Pennsylvania. I’ve always loved bold graphic designs, and my father’s family is Mennonite, so it was probably a natural attraction.
One thing that struck me was that – contrary to the “rule” that Amish quilts must be mostly black or dark and “cool” colors – most of the quilts in this book have very little black. And bright? There were some of the most over-the-top color combinations I had ever seen. I loved it! Colors that weren’t acceptable for clothing could be used in quilts.
Here, my “Dust off a Quilt Book” blog hop post segues into my “Magnificent Mini” challenge blog post for Island Batik fabric, Aurifil threads and Hobbs batting. They supplied the materials for this project.
I chose to make a miniature version of the Amish classic “Trip Around the World.”
I had quite a bit of fabric left over from my 2018 “stash” of Island Batik Fabrics, including this stack of 10″ squares from the Lavendula collection. I chose a navy blue from the “foundations” collection to go with it. I decided my center would be 9″ x 9″ (finished size), and the individual squares would be 1″ finished. My borders would finish 3″ wide.
Next, I had to make five strip sets, each with four strips, and rotating the colors properly. To help keep things in order, I cut a square from each of the scraps and numbered them. I laid out the squares in order for each stripset.
Now for the borders:
Add a binding, and a title “Across the Pond”, and this little quilt celebrates the journey of two of my Quaker ancestors, Thomas Stackhouse and Grace Heaton, who arrived in Philadelphia aboard The Lamb. In 2001, I got to spend a day in the towns of Settle and Giggleswick, Yorkshire, UK. It felt like a homecoming of sorts, to walk on streets that they may have known centuries ago.
Thanks to Bea for thinking up and hosting the “Dust Off a Quilt Book” Blog Hop! I can’t wait to see what the other bloggers have found on their bookshelves. Many of them, like Bea and I, are also Island Batik Ambassadors!
Love it!
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A lovely trip around the world in those gorgeous batiks.
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very cute! love the fabric colors ♥♥
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Cute quilt! I think I have that book too!
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I love your mini – trip quilt. And of course, I love the fabrics! Lavender, yellow and green are a combo I like to use.
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Great mini. Looks great in batiks. Like the celtic quilting in the corners too.
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That is too cute and I love your border quilting. I’m going to have to keep that one in my idea bank! LOL!!
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Hello Anne ~ I love your sweet little quilt. The wide border sets it off so nicely. I enjoyed reading the story behind your quilt, too. Have a lovely day!
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Love your project!
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Batiks are perfect for a modern interpretation of Amish quilts. I’m intrigued by the religious history in your background: Mennonite and Quaker – generations apart, maybe, but interesting nevertheless. 🙂
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The Quakers were on Mom’s side of the family. That particular branch of my family tree ended with my great grandmother, who was raised a Quaker, and married a Baptist.
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I love your mini quilt! I suspect I have this book in my library as well – I love Amish style quilts.
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Very cool quilt! Amazing colors! Wonderful! Enjoy your day! 🙂 🙂
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This is really beautiful in those batiks!
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Pretty quilt and 2 projects in 1, good for you.
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wow this turned out gorgeous. thanks for sharing
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Pretty mini quilt. I remember the days of cutting everything with scissors. I love my rotary cutter. Thanks for sharing in the hop … 🙂 Pat
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I love Celtic knots in the corners! Lovely mini.
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What a fun mini
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Great mini – and I love the stories. I grew up in Reading PA – near the Amish and have always loved quilts. My mother disliked the darkness which you mention. I love that you made this a two for one – I didn’t – what was I thinking???
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A fantastic mini trip around the world. Love your quilting too.
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Very very nice love the quilting idea..
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Oh what a nice little quilt. Thank you for sharing great photos of how it came together.
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Beautifully done
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This is such a pretty little quilt. One of my first quilts was a trip around the world for my sister’s wedding present. I remember using cardboard and pencil and scissors to cut the squares. One pattern called for ripping the strips (not the best of ideas).
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Mini LOVE!! Those Celtic corners? Perfect addition to your quilt!
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Beautiful. I was just thinking today I should do a trip around the world quilt.
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Across the Pond is just so cute!
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Wonderful colors, very pretty!
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Beautifully done! Your colours are gorgeous and the Celtic knot quilting really does dress up the corners 🙂
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Hi Anne, what a great mini. Those colours are gorgeous!
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