2.15.2008

diamonds are a girl's best friend

Who knew that taking a pile of diamond scraps could actually be sewn into this?

I saw the pattern for this table runner and the directions stated to cut the fabric into diamonds using the 60* line on your quilting ruler. The only time 60* has registered in my mind is when the weather man has said it and then it's only because I am trying to decide between a long-sleeved shirt or a short-sleeved shirt. I didn't even know a 60* line existed on my quilting ruler!
And how in the heck do you go about cutting with it? Oh, well. After staring at it long enough, tilting it every which way, I figured it out.
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I wanted to use these fabrics because I do love the apron-that-my-grandmother-wore type of fabrics. And yes, I do remember my grandma in her home-made dress and matching apron. Every day a different one. And every day she looked smashing.
This is from a quilt she made me. And almost every block is a patch from those aprons.
From an apron to a table-runner.

And I was amazed (no. astounded, actually) that my seams met at points. In the past anything that I have attempted with seams that need to meet......well, let's just say I wasn't even in the ballpark.
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But either it was these wonderful fabrics, or just my slowing down/breathing easy/enjoying the piecing aspect of this---it just fit together & meshed so wonderfully.

To my smashing grandmother adorned in her color-coordinated dress ensemble---you are my inspiration.

That's my sister & me (I'm biting my lip because I am wondering--are you sure this bag goes with this outfit?) with my grandma on the front steps of her house.

9 comments:

Lisa Boyer said...

Wow...great piecing skills. Diamonds are bias-y on every edge and difficult to sew. You should be proud of yourself! It came together beautifully--and of course, I love the fabrics.

Unknown said...

You did such an awesome job! Love the retro-apron fabs!

Unknown said...

Your diamonds turned out great! And fabrics you chose are so pretty.

Unknown said...

I very much like your tablerunner. You pieced your diamonds in a very precise way.

The pictures of your grandma remind me of the photographs we have of my grandma.

Your blog is very beautiful. I am so happy I found it.

Anonymous said...

your blog is really quite wonderful--i love all of your pictures.

i will be visiting every day. thanks for sharing with all of us.

-bess

Anonymous said...

I can't wait to see the quilt!!!!

peony designs said...

I just found your blog and I love it. Your pictures are oh, so pretty and I love all of your projects.

I too, had a really hard time with trying to use the degree marks on my quilting ruler.

You did a really great job piecing those diamonds. They can be quite nasty trying to match up.

I look forward to seeing more of what you are working on.

Mary Anne said...

GREAT JOB !!!! Perfectly pieced !!!....oh, and I LOVE those "Aunt Bee"/ "Grandma" fabrics too!!!.....and the picture of you with your Grandma is really sweet (and I'm loving your outfit!)

Knot Garden said...

I love those old-fashioned (in a good way!) fabrics, and they look really good in diamonds. The tablerunner will be so pretty!