A couple of months ago I went on retreat with my new guild (hi Marlene, Mary, Jan and whoever else is on here!). I didn't really have anything lined up to work on, and asked for your favorite scrap quilts. I'm pretty sure EvelynB posted a picture of this lovely wreath quilt. I just loved it and was looking for a holiday quilt, so I went home and graphed it out. An easy quilt, really. I made everything equal to a 2" square.
So EvelynB, if it WAS you, Thank you so much. I love this pattern. If it was someone else, sorry, but thanks!
So without further ado, this is my Wreath & Humble Pie Quilt. (Why humble pie? I decided to leave some of my incorrectly pieced HST as a reminder to S-L-O-W D-O-W-N)
My snake river quilt used up most of my light to medium greens, and this one used a small bit of my dark greens and just about all my red. For some reason, I don't have much red.
Here's a close up - with one of the incorrectly pieced HST, but you can see I used a lot of different greens.
I'm pretty sure the quilting will hide most of the oops, but it's for my bed and I'm the one who needs to learn to slow down, so it works.
Anyway, I just think this quilt is adorable. Oh, also, a ton of different wow fabrics too.
Used to be, I didn't like scrappy quilts, but now that I've realized that I can still control the way things appear, I love them. I can't completely let go, and just go random, but I'm still using my scraps and making lovely quilts, so I'm happy.
No purchases were made in the making of this quilt.
EBGQ - Funny you should ask. I was just telling DH the other day that I was going to try to go this spring. I had so much fun and got a lot done.
I've been thinking of making a blue snake river quilt for the back bedroom. This one would only be twin sized - which would be WAY easier than queen. I haven't quite decided.
PWife - As far as I know, there is no pattern. I just drew it on graph paper with each square = 2". Two inch squares and strips to fit. Maybe someone else will know where you could find a pattern, but I didn't need one, it was pretty easy.
I still have a LOT of greens & blues. So I'll have to think what to make next out of them.
Thanks for the nice comments. It is a lovely quilt and I think it will look nice on my bed - next year.
Thank you for the credit, Katiemedarlin, but I stole the wreath from surfing the internet. It was a small wallhanging. I love all the dark greens you used in your quilt. I certainly don't see any mistakes. Please post when you've got it quilted. It's absoutely gorgeous!
Here's a drawing of the wreath block. Once I got it drawn, it wasn't hard to piece. I chose according to the scrappy squares I had already cut. I did mine slightly different in the center because I'm lazy.This message has been edited. Last edited by: EvelynB,
Evelyn - it never occurred to me to make the centers one piece after I had graphed it out using 2" squares. Silly but true. It is a lovely quilt and quite easy too. Even if it's not your pattern you gave me the idea and I thank you. I love it and it will look beautiful on my old iron bed.
I made the top using an alternate fabric square and HATED it. I kept in on a bed for months waiting for inspiration. I'm sure I saw something that gave me the idea (note this year's BOM for HGTV with alternate blocks). I loved the wreaths so much that I took this entire top apart and remade it. I saved the alternate blocks because that fabric was lovely and used them in another quilt.
This is the original layout of the wreath. I liked the red bows but didn't have enough cut red squares so I changed it. Plus I wanted it to be easier to piece. I am very, very lazy.This message has been edited. Last edited by: EvelynB,
Ladies, both quilts are beautiful. I love the inspiration shared on this board. Evelyn, you contradicted yourself when you said you are lazy. I read the first post and you said you didn't like the layout and took it apart and put it back together. I was thinking "oh the energy she has, once together I doubt I would take anything apart...". Then in your next post you mention you are lazy. I had to laugh, I don't think so. Lovely work!
Girls I just never get tired of this board. Lynn and Evelyn both of those quilts are just awesome. I am in awe at what you come up with Lynn. Thank you both for sharing.
Evelyn, that quilt definitely looks better with the alternate blocks. I don't know that I would have taken the whole thing apart, tho. But the end result is so much prettier. I like the bow, but I think the actual wreath looks more round, smoother without it. Either way, I like the way mine turned out.
I got an email from my brother who lives in Germany. He wanted to know if I could make him one of these quilts. I can't stand doing the same quilt twice, but because the blocks are so big, I might just do it. It works up fairly quickly. I told him I'd think about.
Originally posted by EvelynB: I saw a similar wallhanging while surfing. Checking the web again I see that Thimbleberries has a pattern that could be used for the red bow wreath.
That wreath wall hanging is in a book I have. Perhaps a Leisure Arts or Rodale Press "Best Of..." maybe? I'm out of town grandson & dog sitting, but can check next week when I get home, if anyone still wants to find the pattern.
Evelyn, I too have a photo of your original quilt saved to my inspiration folder. I didn't realize till this thread that I had this pattern in my possession!!! A "timeless" design. I must have made the wall hanging in late 80's or early 90's. The bed quilts you ladies have made, motivate me even more to get one done. This message has been edited. Last edited by: wildcatmom,
Had to smile when I realized the pattern you were all talking about. I, too, was inspired by EvelyB when she originally posted it. I have since PMed her and said thanks. My thank you was not only for the pattern, but a kick to me to just go for it. I had always admired scrap quilts, but when I tried to lay them out, I was too obsessed with being sure things matched. For this pattern, I just cut and pieced and ended making four wall hangings that turned out great! Since then, I have had a lot more fun with scrap quilts because I realize that the "scrappy" part comes for not being too matchy-matchy! Thanks, again, Evelyn. Here is one of the wall hangings I made. I love the quilts that both of you made! Susan
Posts: 609 | Location: West Central Ohio, USA | Registered: Dec 28, 2002
Love the beautiful works and sharing of inspiration! I have pics saved as well hope to make a Christmas quilt for DD this year!
"People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within." Elizabeth Kubler-Ross
Susan, I love your wallhanging! I think I have three leftover wreath blocks and that would be such a cute use for them. It took me a while to really appreciate the beauty of scrap quilts although I did love the scrappy quilts I had as a child. I still have a couple of them and see dresses I wore in them. I think scrappy quilts have more of a sparkle to them and they do make me smile. TFS and thank you for the credit although I stole the idea. I enjoy looking at the Friday show n tell so I can save ideas for future projects. I should start labeling them with the quilter's name. Duh! Evelyn
Love the wallhanging - would make an adorable table runner, wouldn't it? Hmmmm. . . maybe I could get a head start on next year's gifts. Finishing one in January would be a record for me.
Great pattern, lovely quilts. Thanks for finding it EB!