Wednesday, June 9, 2010

The Sarah Morrell quilt

I haven't started a new quilt this year and I think I lasted quite well but seeing the Morrell quilt around blogland was just too much and I finally ordered the pattern pack and a starter kit of fabrics.
This is the original quilt pictured in Glorious American Quilts.
It's dated 1843 New Jersey.
This is the pattern from Threadbear by Di Ford. The ladies at the shop give great service and are extremely helpful.

I made a start on the center block and if you knew me, you'd know that hand piecing isn't my forte but I never shy away from a challenge and this will be a good skill building project.
I have a friend doing an insane handpiecing project that helped me with some great tips for hand piecing.
I appliqued the center to the background instead of piecing it in, just because I didn't want seams.
I've never done broderie perse before but I always wanted to have a go and I really lost myself in making this floral arrangement. I'm still in the process of buttonholing the edges and I'm using cotton sewing thread to do it. The pieces are fused on first.
I was fortunate to get the fabric below which  is Austen Manor by Harriet Hargrave and is a bit darker than in the photo.
I've been fabric foraging for the broderie perse and thought I'd hit the jackpot when I discovered the one Di had used called Sophia Pearce from Andover from the Winterthur collection.  It's got floral sprays on a cream background. I ordered it from Quilters Corner only to be told they didn't have it. If anyone knows of a source, let me know. It's a few years old now so I don't fancy my chances.

Edit: never underestimate bloggers, you are the best! Thanks to Miriam, who is also making the quilt, she put me onto a shop that had some and thanks to Christine who also offered some to me.

56 comments:

Thimbleanna said...

{GASP} It's that swirly block that I love so much! Beautiful, beautiful work -- as always Janet!

Miriam said...

Try here Janet. http://www.needlesandpins.websyte.com.au/
Kaye doesn't have a website but her email address is in the above link.
This is the shop where I did my Morrell classes. Kaye may still have some of that fabric.

Anonymous said...

What a gorgeous quilt. I haven't seen it before. I'm going to enjoy watching your work on this one.

Those ladies over at Threadbear have some stunning patterns. It's a dangerous (for my CC) place to visit. LOL

Julia said...

What a gorgeous quilt, Janet.
Yes, Treadbear have some beautiful patterns...I have been eyeing them off too, so many I would love to do,,
Look forward to seeing your progress on this one..
Julia ♥

Jeanette said...

Oh my gosh Janet. I wish you hadn't shown that quilt. :) It's so tempting to get the pattern. I'll be good & just watch your progress from afar. Love your centre block. Hugs, Jeanette

luv2quilt2 said...

That's an amazing quilt. I'll be watching along as you work on it.

Anonymous said...

Janet I think I have some, give me a day and I check my stash

cheers
Christine

Nedra said...

You just come up with more and more amazing projects all the time. I have not seen this pattern before, and I can see why you love it so. What a quilt!

Nat Palaskas said...

Wow Janet, it is an impressive quilt. Lovely quilt. Did you say a reproduction quilt? I love the effect of broderie perse too, but I always thought that it's done in needle turn applique! The colour is lovely. Enjoy - Nat

Janet said...

Wow! What a quilt! You will have lots of fun making this. I love all the blocks with the tiny, tiny pieces (to look at not to make :0) I've never tried broderie perse either but I'd like to... one day.

Deb said...

Hey Janet - fabulous start. This quilt has so much interest it never gets boring. Are you hand or machining the broderie perse?

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

Wow! That is an awesome quilt! I don't think I'm ready to even think about attempting it yet, but I will love following your progress! Have fun!

Jan said...

This is going to be a wonderful project...for you to make and for us to watch materialize!

Linda C said...

Great start to your Sarah Morrell. l hope to have it hanging at my exhibition later this year.l have started it,it's become a UFO, maybe you will inspire me to dig it out and keep going. Thanks for sharing.

Shirley said...

I have resisted temptation several times on this quilt pattern. I shall watch your progress with interest.
Shirley.

Sue-Anne said...

Good on you janet! It's a beautiful quilt and you have done some amazing work on it already. I am going to really enjoy watching this journey you take.

katrien said...

This is a very nice quilt you shall make.And the beginning block is lovely.

Marit said...

It is a beautiful quilt. Will look forward to see more of this as it grows...
; )

Betsy said...

Definetly looks challenging but I know you can do it. congratulations on a great start.

Anonymous said...

Such a gorgeous quilt project, Janet! I love your broderie perse floral wreath. : ) When you use fusible, do you window pane it...? I'll be watching with great interest as this progresses!!!

Deb said...

Oh my goodness, that's a gorgeous quilt. I don't think that I've seen that pattern, although I've tried staying away from Threadbear. I've ordered a few things from them - those patterns are wonderful.

I really going to enjoy watching your progress on this quilt. It's a beauty and you're off to a great start!

SandyN said...

Wow - How beautiful is that quilt... Just LOVE it.


Sandy N

ranette said...

I've been following Miriam on this quilt and I'll enjoy watching your progress too Janet! It's a lovely quilt and I like your center block.

Julie in the Barn said...

That is an amazing quilt! But I'm not tempted to try since it would take me the rest of my life to make. Like the Dear Jane, I'll be content to watch other quilters make this one from here at my portal to blogland. You have made a great start with that beautiful center block.

Crispy said...

Oooo I LOVE this quilt!! It's going to be fun watching you make this beauty!! The center block is gorgeous, you took to hand piecing wonderfully!!

Crispy

Karen said...

For hand piecing not being your forte, the center block looks very good.

Abby and Stephanie said...

Another stunning quilt you'll be making. I love that you challenge yourself. Love the centerpiece.

Lori said...

Woo-Hoo!! That is one amazing quilt!! Your center block looks so close to the original!! Nice work!!

Chartreuse Moose said...

Stunning quilt, and a wonderful way to challeng diverse skills! Will enjoy treking along on your stitching journey!

alobsiger said...

It's a beauty, Janet! I don't know why but it made me giggle to read that you haven't started a new quilt THIS YEAR. Tickled my funny bone for some reason! My statement would read something like: haven't started a new quilt this week. ;-) Enjoy the process and I'll look forward to enjoying your progress!

Barb said...

This is wonderful! I love your broderie perse block - very very pretty. I'll really enjoy watching the progress on this one - thanks janet for sharing

Anonymous said...

Oh my- that's a major project!! I'm trying not to start new projects until I reduce the backlog of half-finished things - but it isn't working, I've just started yet another quilt!!

Anne said...

Hi Janet,

your centerblock and broderie looks both great to me!!!
I've just started this quilt as a BOM last month here in Holland, you can see it on my blog if you like:
http://kreannetief.blogspot.com
Enjoy this wonderfull quilt and I will join your progress in it...

Anne.

taylorsoutback said...

Off to a beautiful start! Will enjoy following along as your quilt progresses.

taylorsoutback said...

Forgot to mention - just visited 40 quilts from the Winterthur collection in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Some wonderful examples of broderie perse. Your block would be the standout shining star among them!

Sharon said...

Lead me not into temptation....Good lord I can't stand myself. You are such a bad influence! *vbg* What a great pattern site you posted about, but I"m trying hard to restrain. I've only looked at their patterns 3 times since I read this post!

Unknown said...

What a Beautiful Quilt..I haven't seen this one before either...Looking forward to watching your Progress..Guess What..I have ordered Kim McLean's Lollipops pattern...need to start a new project too...
cheers

Robin said...

Wow, that antique quilt is beautiful! I like your blocks so far, too. You WILL share the hand piecing tips, correct?? LOL /that would be great!!

Munaib said...

Gosh Janet that is some project you've taken on. You're braver than I am. It's going to be lovely and I'll be interested to see the broderie perse when it's finished. I'm glad you managed to source some of the right fabric. Quilt bloggers are amazing!

Dixie Howard said...

Love your center block - looks like you are a handpiecing pro to me! This quilt is going to be a beauty!

Cathi said...

That is a stunning quilt! I've never done broderie perse and have always been curious about it. Your post has made me want to try it!

Sarah said...

You are one crazy lady taking on this project! But thank goodness for that, because now we all get to watch you do it, and enjoy your progress.

Kaaren said...

All I can say is, "WOW"! What an amazing work of art and if anyone can do it justice, I know you can, Janet.

I'll be in the front row watching your progress. Amazing work so far.

*karendianne. said...

Janet I'm so thrilled you'll be working on this. It's an unrivalled quilt and your workmanship is right in line with that adjective. Unrivalled. The process of learning and advancing new techniques adds to the thrill and sparkle of it all. Yeah you!!! You're such an inspiration.

Martha said...

This is a quilt I have always admired (from one of my favorite books). Of course, I know it's going to be perfectly stitched (just like all of your other quilts), and I am so excited to watch your progress.

Ann Champion said...

I love that quilt! There's such a wide variety of blocks..it won't get boring. You're off to a wonderful start. I look forward to watching your progress. :)

pratima said...

The quilt for your inspiration is breathtaking! Your block is so beautiful! It would be amazing to see you progress on this one.

Dorothy said...

Hello,
We must like the same things. I made the Sarah Morrel quilt at Di's class in Warrandyte. I really enjoyed making this quilt.I loved sourcing all the fabric for the picture blocks and for the Broderie Perse. Yours is looking wonderful. I have also made the Mary Manakee quilt and I had a look at yours and it is really nice.
Dorothy

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh it is going to be awesome!

Janet said...

What a wonderful start on the quilt. Absolutely beautiful. Makes
me want to give it a try but probably way beyond my ability.
Janet

Mary Ann said...

That is such a gorgeous quilt, Janet! I love it! It's something that really calls to me after finishing piecing my Dear Jane! That centre block rocks, BTW!! ;o)

Cathy @ CabbageQuilts said...

Oh My Janet, you are amazing, I will watch this come together with interest. What a lot of beautiful, fun work ahead of you xo

Miriam said...

I am so glad Kaye could help you with the fabric.

I am going to enjoy watching you create your version of this wonderful quilt!

Mary Ellen said...

I found some of the fabric at:
http://www.favoritefabric.com/cgi/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=ANWMBRDR

although it has a green background, if you are going to use it for broderie perse, it may not matter. Happy quilting!

Val said...

First visit to you blog now I am a convert love your work

Robin said...

What a gorgeous quilt! I look forward to watching your progress on it. :)