I chose smaller calico-like prints from my stash and dug deeper into my older fabrics. It's always such a pleasure to place an 'older' fabric in a quilt and give it a reason for being! I took my cues from the inspiration quilt (below) but didn't use any stripes or plaids like this quilt maker did. I also did not add that unexpected strip of bright red on one side. My blocks seemed to call for a softer green border. My quilt is approximately 51 1/2" x 51 1/2". The inspiration quilt is 65" x 68" and notice how there is binding on three sides but not on the fourth! There is definitely a story with that added strip of red but we'll never know! Ah...the mysteries....
And I didn't forget the signature!
And now the completion of this Maple Leaf has me eyeing yet another Maple Leaf quilt in another exciting book full of inspiration: "Signs and Symbols: African Images in African-American Quilts" by Maude Southwell Wahlman.
And I find myself thinking hmmm......
OH, I especially like that last photo you shared from Signs and Symbols. Someday I will make a maple leaf quilt (or an oak leaf one since most of our trees are oaks). Your version of the U and U quilt is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI know....Isn' that Signs and Symbols quilt the best ever? My eye is now tuned to spy maple leaf quilts and I love the old ones for ideas. It's one of those traditional blocks that I needed to make.
DeleteI really like your maple leaf quilt. I have a bunch of mid-20th century fabrics waiting for the right project. I'm inspired to dig them out and play.
ReplyDeleteYou should! Some fabrics wait for a long time to take their place in the sun!
DeleteA number of years ago I made a queen sized maple leaf quilt for my sis and her hubby who live in MD. They love the bright autumn leaf colors. And they remind me every year how much they appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteMaryland has some beautiful color in the Fall!
DeleteWell done with your Maple leaf quilt, it's a beauty and lovely use of your older fabrics which were perfect for this quilt. I suspect we may well be looking at another Maple quilt soon!
ReplyDeleteI have my book open to this quilt in my sewing room and am giving it a lot of thought but it may have to wait for a bit because of the upcoming holidays and some projects to finish before Christmas!
DeleteBoth great quilts, inspiration and yours! And I like the next inspiration to!! cheers,
ReplyDeleteThis turned out beautifully and your fabric choice inspired. A wonderful finish! I too wonder about that red side piece....
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet quilt. I've always liked this block. The last quilt is extremely inspiring too!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your finish. It's a very pretty design. That red strip on the original is certainly mysterious. Do you think it could have been a repair? Have fun with your second maple leaf quilt.
ReplyDeleteI MUCH prefer your maple leaf quilt to the inspiration. Yours is more balanced, and the colors show the blocks better. The other is too blendy-blendy. I made a maple leaf quilt for my sis in MD, and they get it out every fall (fall colors) for the bed, adn she keeps saying thank you each year. NOW THAT IS NICE! Not all recipients are that thoughtful.
ReplyDelete