Lollypop Trees

May 13, 2011May 13, 2011 Elizabeth E.1 Comment

While some think it takes courage to climb Mt. Everest (and yes, I agree), it also takes courage to finally open the Lollypop Trees pattern by Kim McLean and admit that yes, it’s time to begin. So I played it safe today. I cut apart the life-size pattern pieces and jotted down where the trees are in the Grand Scheme of Things. You can see my penciled-in numbers in the grid on the right. But before I explode the fabric shelves and get crackin’ here’s some background on this pattern.

This is a published picture of the quilt, circa 1855 from New York State. In the notes they allude to the quilt looking like “Lollipop Trees.” But McLean’s quilt is titled Lollypop Trees, a different spelling. The original is basically done in three colors: an olive green, turkey red and deep green, and a zig-zag border.

McLean’s version. You can see some overlap in the design, which I really like. It’s interesting to have the origins of a quilt paying homage to the past; however, with the use of Kaffe Fasset fabrics, it’s become a different quilt entirely.

Here’s a view without those borders–a twist as well, because of the use of more solid fabrics.

This quilt is huge–nearly queen-sized. Hmmm. My friend Rhonda (who is doing this at the same time) suggests we choose our favorites and made it smaller.

This one is not 16 squares huge, but only 12 squares. I like the use of the circles in the border, apparently a design taken from another McLean quilt. This size gives the punch of the large one, but it more suited to what I want to accomplish.

“Front Basting”

November 7, 2010July 23, 2012 Elizabeth E.Leave a comment

I had to post this snippet of video from Pink Chalk Studios showing Lisa Prior Lucy demonstrating her technique of “front basting,”while she sat at Market this year. Of course, this is of interest to me because I have lost my mind and bought this pattern and plan (with my quilty friend Rhonda) to make this quilt. Sometime in my lifetime, although Rhonda assures me we will finish this. Okey dokey.

First, the video. Then look below for the quilt.

What was interesting to me was that Liza Prior Lucy’s quilt, both in her hand and in the background, had a DARK background instead of these lights. Oooh. Now that’s interesting.

Creating · Quilts

Am I Crazy?

September 15, 2010July 23, 2012 Elizabeth E.1 Comment

The Material Obsession Quilt Shop in Australia just announced they are putting together a new Block of the Month group for Lollipop Trees, a fabulous applique quilt by Kim McClean. I sent this picture to a friend and asked her if I was crazy for thinking about making this.

Yes. You are crazy, she said.

She’s right. It would take me about ten years to get it done, but it still lingers in the back of my mind as Something I Want to Do.

I’d receive two blocks every month for 10 months. I assume the borders are included somewhere in there (I’ll have to ask). So, ten years sounds about right. Why is it that my eyes are always bigger than my Energy Level?