If you've had your eyeballs open around blogland lately you will have noticed that everyone is joining in The Farmer's Wife Quilt Along. She's quite alluring, that saucy farmer's wife. And with all of the gorgeous blocks everyone has been making, I couldn't stop myself from joining. Not that I really wanted to stop myself. Sure, I have plenty of partially made quilts that really should be finished. But.....who cares? I sure don't, and I'm sure you don't either. So join in would ya? You know you want to!
I just picked up my book at Borders yesterday. It's $27.99, but I had a great coupon and got it for 1/2 price. I've seen it on Amazon for around $18.00, and many have found it at Joanne's and used their 50 % off coupon. The book comes with a cd for downloading the templates. While perusing flickr I found a wonderful link to download all of the templates by a fabulous gal named Liz. She's combined them all onto 15 pages which makes it so convenient. Thank you so much Liz!! Of course even with Liz's templates you'll need the book for block construction. The best thing about the book to me is the letters written by 1920's farmer's wives. They wrote into the magazine answering the question, "Would you want your daughter to marry a farmer?" The letters are so inspiring to read. And pretty funny, apparently Jazz music was considered quite inappropriate among the farmer's wives. Who knew Jazz was the gangsta' rap of 1922?
Block #1!! Woohoooo!
Well, I went through my stash and pulled some fat quarters. My goal is to use what I have. I really wanted a soft, cheerful, vintage cottage feel to my blocks. It's fun to rediscover fabrics that I forgot I had!
Like you chickens! I've only had you punks for about....6, 7, 8 years? But I'm happy to see you again! I've had some fabrics in bins under my bed so long it's a nice surprise when I open the bin; like someone sent me a gift. Is it sad that I feel like I'm receiving a gift from an imaginary friend when I rediscover fabrics that I apparently purchased myself years ago? Of course not.
Once again, hello floral stripes. I forgot you existed.
I don't know how long it will be before this quilt is finished, it may be a loooong time. My goal is to just finish a few blocks a week, along with the other quilts I'm working on. No rushing, just thoroughly enjoying the process. Let me know if you're making one too! I'd love to see your blocks! x
Oh swoon, this quilt-a-long is getting harder and harder to resist. All the blocks shown have been so adorable!
Posted by: Michele | July 13, 2011 at 03:58 PM
While I am generally drawn to more modern fabric, I really like the fabrics you are using. This is going to be gorgeous.
Posted by: Lucia | July 13, 2011 at 07:02 PM
I LOVE your faqbric choices! And yes, it is wonderful to rediscover forgotten fabrics ;)
Posted by: lisa | July 13, 2011 at 07:29 PM
I've had the book for a while, but this QAL made me jump in and start on the quilt.. I'm not a joiner and I don't blog, but I follow lots of quilters who are making this quilt and I enjoy seeing what everyone is doing. So many ideas!
Posted by: Rita | July 14, 2011 at 04:22 AM
OhMyGosh. Apparently you ans SW1 need adult supervision. Now I'll have to tend the home fires while I send you two off to rehab. Naughty, Naughty!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | July 14, 2011 at 07:19 AM
I can absolutely relate to every single word of your latest posting. I actually bought my book some time ago and it sat untouched for months. But recently it's been everywhere and when I saw the FWQAL, I blew the dust off my book and realized the treasure I had been sitting on. It's been years since I worked with templates, and had a bit of a rough start, but once I discovered St. Liz on Flickr had put all the templates on one link and only 15 sheets of paper, I was off and running. I've also promised myself to use only fabrics from my stash, and going thru them has been like listening to old songs on the radio! Each one brings back a memory of all the delicious projects I had planned for every little fat quarter. I'm having so much fun! And all those unfinished projects staring me in the face? Well, they've waited this long, they can wait one more day! By the way, your block and fabric choices are beautiful! Have fun!
Posted by: Gloria Martin | July 14, 2011 at 08:23 AM
Ha, what do I see?? All these wonderful forgotten fabrics.....these poor sweeties!! But it seems as they will have a "revival" now and they deserve it.
I´m really curious and can´t wait to see all the wonderful blocks you will made out of them!
And by the way, what did the farmers´wives write about half-grown-up boys?? Any advices?? Hehehehehe....
Have a wonderful day, liebe Freundin! ;o)
Hugs,
Sabine D. xxxx
Posted by: Sabine | July 14, 2011 at 09:49 AM
I so want to join in but until there is a little bit of fudge in the budget I won't be getting the book. It looks really fun though. Oh and I too am a computer nerds wife!
Posted by: Laura K | July 14, 2011 at 07:23 PM
Your blocks look wonderful! And that chicken shirting is to die for! How cute will that look in your quilt!
Posted by: Dawn | July 15, 2011 at 07:41 PM
Yes, it is fabul;ous to find fabrics you've forgotten and still love! Not so wonderful to come across those fabrics I've bought and forgotten about for good reason--sometimes I'll pull something out and wonder just who gave this nasty colored fabric?! But the other day I 'found' a Bali Pop package that hadn't even been opened and it was like opening a bag of candy--yummy. I'm sure your quilt will be fabulous, but no sampler for me---I'm more of a quilter than a piecer and I'm sure I'd muck it up.
Posted by: Amy | July 16, 2011 at 05:34 AM
You have such a gift for combining fabrics. I love the vintage look of the block. I'm sure it will be a gorgeous quilt! It is funny how we rediscover fabrics that we forgot we had...kind of a gift to our future selves! :-)
Posted by: Jen in NY | July 18, 2011 at 11:49 AM
Sarah I would like to e-mail you but I can't find your e-mail. I was wondering
if you used quilting thread on your machine to quilt with or is it regular sewing thread. Love your fabrics, you always make some beautiful things. I have followed your
blog for a while now. Please e-mail me and let me know. Thank you from Louisiana.
[email protected]
Posted by: Elsie | July 24, 2011 at 01:04 PM
I haven't jumped on the bandwagon for the FWQ-- yet, but I have seen many quilting bloggers interpretations of the blocks. I love yours-- and I really have loved all the ones I've seen. That is fascinating that the book includes letters from the farmer's wives-- I may have to use my Joann's 40-50% coupons to purchase it. Sadly, the Borders bookstore nearby have closed. I was a big fan-- not necessarily for books, but also for gifts. Enjoy the quilt-along. I have so many UFOs that I can't possibly do it right now--maybe a few years down the line. Have fun with it!
Posted by: Elisa | July 24, 2011 at 05:32 PM
Love your fabrics! Will have to check out the farmer's wives book.
Posted by: sharon | July 24, 2011 at 07:37 PM
Love your fabric choices. I stumbled upon your blog by accident and lo and behold, my name is mentioned! I'm amazed at how many people have been mentioning the link to the templates.....
Posted by: LizA. | July 29, 2011 at 06:18 PM
I got this book for Christmas 2010 and I have two blocks done! ha ha! But it is lots of fun seeing everyone's blocks!
Posted by: Sharrieboberry | August 04, 2011 at 09:46 AM
WOW, I'm almost a month behind on this post! (I have a great excuse. Really. Course I can't prove it until next Spring). Anyhooooooo…
I love that you're doing the FW! I'm up to about 18 and I've hit a wall. I know once some stuff gets cleared off my plate I get to 19 and beyond (if only Buzz Lightyear was a quilter!). Or I make make myself a quilt with 18 blocks. I'm pretty sure I know how this novella's gonna end.
I love the Farmer's Wives stories too! I think the book is worth the stories alone. Love your jazz reference to the gangsta rap of today. You suppose they said, "keep it jazzy" and then flashed each other a saxophone hand sign? I would like to think they did!
KMAMFXXOO!
Posted by: happy zombie | August 06, 2011 at 10:32 AM
Love your color choices. Do you have to pay to download? I have the book and disk, but I can't get the combined templates to print.
Posted by: Teri | September 19, 2011 at 09:42 AM
I have resisted and resisted this but I feel like I'm running from a blogland avalanche. Can't hurt to just pick up the book and make a *few* blocks, can it?
Your fabrics are wonderful. I love greeting old friends who have been waiting patiently.
Posted by: threeundertwo | September 26, 2011 at 11:08 AM
Oh I REALLY like your choice in this one!!!! I've NEVER quilted one before. Well I did help quilt one for our pastors wife many moons ago. Each lady in our church did a block to make the quilt and then we got together and quilted it. It was SOOO MUCH FUN! I LOVED IT! I've only made the kinds of quilts you tie with the string to quilt it. Can't remember what those are called. ONE DAY I am going to actually quilt one! I have always sewn but not the type of person that likes long drawn out projects because I lose interest in it and get bored quick. :( I WISH that wasn't the case but it IS true. :( I found your site by looking for a border to put on a comforter I tore apart to fix the liner. It had something like ploy fil in it and when I washed it that mess knotted up like you would not believe. So I had to take it apart to fix it. Now I want a border on it. So I am looking and have enjoyed YOUR SITE!
Posted by: Rose | December 22, 2011 at 09:15 PM
I absolutely love the fabrics you have picked out for this quilt, especially the strawberry print. Can you tell me if you know the name of the fabric line this came from. I have a particular quilt pattern this fabric would look great in. Thanks. Kate
Posted by: Kate | February 08, 2012 at 08:26 AM