Friday, October 5, 2012

vintage maple leaf quilt

Happy Friday! 
Awhile back at an estate sale I bought these sweet vintage maple leaf blocks. They were all delicately hand sewn together with the prettiest calicos.
 There was an uneven number, so I wasn't quite sure what I would make with them, because I wanted to use them all. So, they have been sitting patiently waiting for me to sew them into something pretty.
 The other day I was over at Amy's blog, Diary of a Quilter, and she was showing this cute patchwork book, and...
this maple leaf quilt. I knew I had to get the book, and that this was the perfect project for these vintage maple leaf blocks! 
So, I just finished the quilt top! It was hard to get everything even because the blocks were not all the same size, but it came together. It is on the smaller size, because I didn't want to add anymore blocks, just the cream ones. It will look great as a wall quilt or just a throw for the couch. What do you think? 

It is definitely on the softer side of colors, but I love the primitive feel of it. I have a darker 30's reproduction fabric for the binding to help bring out the colors. 
So, here is where I need some help. The quilting! I want to hand quilt, but I am not sure what I should do. I want to do a design in the blank squares, and then I am not really sure how to go about the leaves. Any suggestions? 
 I am looking forward to getting it quilted and hung up!
Wishing you all a lovely and creative weekend! 

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46 comments:

  1. UnknownOctober 5, 2012 at 11:08 AM

    What a wonderful way to preserve someone's hard work! Lovely job!

    ~Andrea

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  2. Sentimentally MeOctober 5, 2012 at 11:12 AM

    OH My GOodness it's the sweetest! Love love LOVE those calico prints. Just so Pretty! Have a lovely weekend, Heather!

    xo

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    1. vintage greyOctober 8, 2012 at 11:15 AM

      Thank you! Hope your weekend was wonderful! xo Heather

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  3. birdie blueOctober 5, 2012 at 11:16 AM

    love the soft calico variations on your vintage maple block quilt top. and, aren't you clever to have lucked onto the perfect solution to the uneven number of blocks. it turned out beautifully, heather.

    enjoy your weekend.
    xo
    molly

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  4. Sandra (Cherry Heart)October 5, 2012 at 11:30 AM

    It's looking lovely, the pretty wee prints are adorable. I've no help to offer on the hand quilting front. I'd love to do a quilt that way too but, where to begin? Good luck with it though!

    Sandra x

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  5. Helen PhilippsOctober 5, 2012 at 11:59 AM

    Such a lovely way to use those pretty maple leaf blocks, Heather! I love the tiny prints and the way you have put it all together looks just right!
    Helen x

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  6. Ruby and ArthurOctober 5, 2012 at 12:34 PM

    I wish I was a quilter and could help you! I'm sure it will be wonderful when it is done. It has a great Autumn look and you can brind it out each year! Love it, Jean

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  7. Vintage Sheet AddictOctober 5, 2012 at 12:46 PM

    Now, you know I'm not an expert at any of this quilting stuff, I'd like to be, but I'm not! Would it look to odd if you just outlined the shape of a maple leaf on the blank squares, with a simple stitch? Otherwise, still in a simple stitch, a shape? The thread could be the same cream colour, so it's just hinting something's there, rather than distracting from the lovely fabric in it! Great find, whatever you decide to do! Ada :)

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    1. vintage greyOctober 8, 2012 at 4:42 PM

      Thanks for you suggestion! Hope you are having a great day! xo Heather

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  8. KathyOctober 5, 2012 at 12:52 PM

    I am not a quilter but I am sure someone will jump in to advise on that part. I just have to say this is a perfect rescue! It is almost like you had the same vision as the creative who began the project. Everything lined up just right for you to find the squares and then see the book. Just perfect!

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  9. Clara {Clover and Violet}October 5, 2012 at 3:52 PM

    Perfect use for the mple blocks! Love the way it looks!

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  10. sweetvintageofmineOctober 5, 2012 at 5:02 PM

    I really love the soft colors in this quilt top! Very pretty, so perfect for a gift, especially for this season! Coming together nicely! Roxie

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  11. CarlaOctober 5, 2012 at 7:18 PM

    Very nice "rescue". You find the neatest stuff

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  12. AnnetteOctober 5, 2012 at 8:58 PM

    What a wonderful find! And you finished it beautifully too. Maybe a simple outline inside the leaves and a leaf pattern inside the blank squares. Whatever you do will be perfect!

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    1. vintage greyOctober 8, 2012 at 4:44 PM

      Thank you for your suggestion!! ;) Hope you are having a lovely day! xo Heather

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  13. Chenille CottageOctober 5, 2012 at 11:47 PM

    Dear sweet Heather,
    Oh...Just look at those wonderful blocks. I love the tiny prints and the Maple Leaf block is so perfect for this time of year.
    You really do find the neatest stuff!
    Hugs,
    Carolynn
    I've been away on the Oregon Coast(where I had no internet) and have just returned home...What fun I am having visiting my sweet blogging pals!

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    1. vintage greyOctober 8, 2012 at 4:45 PM

      Thank you so much! Oh, how nice to be away from the internet, but glad you're back! Have a lovely day! xo Heather

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  14. ~Damita's Pretty Wrap~October 6, 2012 at 7:08 AM

    Those blocks are lovely, I'm so glad you found them! Love your small quilt, its coming together well, can't wait to see the border you put on it. I love the way hand stitching looks, but I wouldn't really know where to start. Good luck, i'm sure you will do just fine :) xo Holly

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  15. gillyOctober 6, 2012 at 9:48 AM

    What a great find - such a beautiful quilt, well done you for breathing new life into it.
    Have a lovely weekend,
    xx

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    1. vintage greyOctober 8, 2012 at 4:45 PM

      Thank you Gilly! I love to rescue! ;) xo Heather

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  16. The Cottage Market {Andrea} ♥October 6, 2012 at 10:17 AM

    WOW Heather you really are amazing! It just blows my mind how fabulous you are! I have total faith that you will know exactly what to do as usual!!! : ) sending hugs...

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  17. Donna@AllthingsMingOctober 6, 2012 at 2:44 PM

    I am a very novice quilter , but I like the fact that you didn't add any more blocks and went with the plain blocks , it really shows off the beauty of the vintage leaves. It has a tranquil look to it . I would just do any outline stitch of the leaves on the blank squares or maybe an acorn?. what a great find and as someone commented above , it really carries on the legacy of someone else's time and talent and that it didn't go to waste.

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    1. vintage greyOctober 8, 2012 at 4:46 PM

      Thank you so much for your sweet suggestions and comment! Hope you are having a great day! xo Heather

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  18. Musings from Kim K.October 7, 2012 at 6:02 AM

    Simply beautiful. I'm glad you rescued it. You are so talented, Heather.

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    1. vintage greyOctober 8, 2012 at 4:47 PM

      Thank you so much Kim!! I am just glad to be able to finish it! ;) xo Heather

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  19. donnaOctober 7, 2012 at 7:35 AM

    Heather what a beautiful quilt. You have done an awesome job. I think hand quilting would be perfect for this quilt.
    Hugs
    donna

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  20. Tammy@T's Daily TreasuresOctober 7, 2012 at 9:57 AM

    It is a wonderful thing to respect the work of someone else -- you did a fantastic job of bringing those squares to life. It made a very pretty quilt. Lots of love goes into hand quilting. Whatever you do will be fantastic! Hope you are having a great day. Tammy

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    1. vintage greyOctober 8, 2012 at 4:48 PM

      Thank you so much Tammy! Hope you are having a wonderful day! xo Heather

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  21. BeccaOctober 8, 2012 at 2:15 PM

    I am completely amazed by this project! What a great way to take something cast-off and turn it into something beautiful. The colors go together so well.

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  22. UnknownOctober 8, 2012 at 2:25 PM

    Lovely quilt blocks....super great find, so glad you joined them all together. Wouldn't you love to meet their maker....have a great week-----

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  23. DanaveeOctober 8, 2012 at 2:59 PM

    I have no pointers..........only admiration for what you did! So pretty!!!!

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  24. MaryOctober 8, 2012 at 5:38 PM

    Those are so pretty....I OWENED that tan with blue and red flowers. I had quite a flashback with that one. Haahahhaaaa. so great to see that leaf work. What many hours you have put into those already!

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  25. UnknownOctober 8, 2012 at 6:16 PM

    This was a lovely way to put those blocks to use! Wonderful!

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  26. Little Susie Home MakerOctober 10, 2012 at 7:44 AM

    Those maple leaves are so pretty. I really like the fabric choice. it is going to be interesting to see yow you decide to quilt it!
    Blessings,
    Susie

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  27. GardenOfDaisiesOctober 13, 2012 at 9:43 PM

    I love the maple leaf quilt you are making from the vintage blocks!!

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