07 March, 2015

Go, Big Red!

"Go, Big Red"
Two blocks down, four to go, a lap quilt is born. I attended Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival in Hampton, VA last week; you'd never know that from the number (zero) of photographs I took while away, you'll have to take my word for it. I had my camera with me but had left the memory stick at home in the laptop! The only internal memory the camera has was occupied with photos of the grandchildren and  I was not deleting those. Can you blame me? No way could I erase these all-too-fast fleeting moments in their lives (and mine): 
So, instead, I'm sharing the initial results of the workshop I took from Augusta Cole last Saturday. These blocks are big; measuring 24", they are easy to piece and use up LOTS of scraps, making a really big dent in the red section of my stash! I chose to use all scraps and a consistent white background fabric. Red and white always reminds me of high school, our colors were crimson and white; "Go, Big Red!" was an oft chanted cheer back in those days. In honor of that and the BIG bite this took out of the stash as well as the BIG block size I feel like a cheerleader at a pep rally for this quilt. Before I left home I divided twenty two different red fabrics into three stacks and prewashed them using the method pictured below, it worked great.
Back home now, I've recovered from all the fun and frivolity and put away all of  the treasures that I found in the vendor's mall. Thursday morning we awakend to heavy snow falling in Hampton, VA; the show and merchants area at the Convention Center was nearly deserted, it was eerie in there... those if us who shopped that day felt like we had our own private quilt shops open exclusively for us! I felt bad for the vendors, I know they were anxious, but the attendance did pick up on Friday and by Saturday the crowds appeared back to normal volume. All tolled, I believe nine inches of snow fell and was a record for the area on that date. For me, it was the best of all places to be snowed-in!
Today I've got my work all cut out for me, this one should go together quickly; so much so that I feel a cheer coming on: "Go, Big Red!"
Life is Good!

17 comments:

Nancy Near Philadelphia said...

Big Red is going to be Big Gorgeous!

Shelina (formerly known as Shasta) said...

I am really fond of red and white quilts too. Yours is going to be lovely! No worries about not taking pictures at the show - it probably gave you more time to really appreciate seeing the quilts yourself! I think sometimes we spend so much time recording the moment for the future that we miss it in the present!

LizA. said...

What fun. I've always been a huge fan of red & white but after my last adventure with pre-washed reds bleeding I'm getting leery. Thank goodness for Vicki Welsh and her Dawn soak rescue. I'm now going to take every single piece of red fabric on my shelves and do a long Dawn and hot water soak.

Janet O. said...

Hard fast rule--NEVER delete grandchildren photos! : )
What a nice quilt this will be.

Sherrill said...

Was there a specific technique you used to make that many 1/2 square tri's for the quilt? LOVE it and that the pieces are big making for a large quilt FAST!!

KaHolly said...

These blocks are gorgeous in red! I'm working on a red and white mini and am just loving it! Can't wait to see it all finished!!

cityquilter grace said...

snowed in at quilt event? priceless!

Churn Dash said...

We braved the snow to get to MAQF on the Thursday. It was amazing to be able to go into the popular booths and see what was in them. The staff at the various booths all had time to chat.

I saw a red and white quilt at Deb Tucker's booth, I really liked it. I was thinking that all the reds would need to be washed so seeing how you washed yours was helpful. And seeing your blocks has fuelled my wish to make the quilt.... now I'll have to start collecting.

Helen

Quiltdivajulie said...

Beautiful red and white!!

Gwen said...

What a great idea to use the lingerie bag! I'll do that from now on. My high school colors were also red and white. Maybe that's why I think red and white quilts are so cheerful. By the way, the finger is healing nicely. I should be able to switch to a bandaide in a day or two. It was great to meet up again. Maybe next year we'll end up in a class together and can have a longer visit.

Gloria said...

Love red and white quilts. I attended the show too but postponed arrival until Friday. I always enjoy that show but missed a few dealers.

ljgctn said...

Great idea. Is this in a book?? Our guild is requesting lap quilts for people that have been in the service. A quick and easy do. Thanks for sharing.

sawsan said...

Hi
Did one time of washing enough for not bleeding colours again in the future .

Daryl @ Patchouli Moon Studio said...

Red blocks and your blog name is From the Strawberry Patch so I assume you must love the color red? The blocks are beautiful. Thanks for visiting my blog too. I'll see you on the blog hop next month as well.

Quilting Stories said...

Very lovely blocks! I am eager to see the finished top!

The Crafty Creek said...

The red and white blocks look stunning :-)

Laura Chaney said...

What a great idea to wash your fabrics inside of a lingerie bag! I bet that helps keep them from getting all tangled up and fraying! Thanks so much for joining in on my first link-up last Friday (catching up now from vacation!)