I had so many ideas about south that I couldn't focus until recently! I have a quilt friend from South Africa and thought using my warm colored african fabrics would be fun since they haven't come out to play for a long time! I started with a dark background and put lots of different african fabrics in many configurations and was really frustrated. Yesterday, yes I said yesterday, I went thrift store shopping with my daughter and my sisters. I found a man's cotton shirt with this fabulous stripe and it was extra large and had all the hot colors I was looking for!
Last night I was so disappointed in my design that I just said I would use the shirt for the backing. When I cut it out, it told me to use it for the background. Yes, fabric talks to me, I'm sure you've heard it too! I took two pieces of the african fabric and voila! I added hand stitching and some machine quilting and found a fun dot fabric for the binding. I want to thank my daughter for staying up with me last night listening to my ranting and giving me suggestions and encouragement!
Barbara, what an amazing find at that thrift store and what a super quilt it has made! This may have been a last-minute quilt, but, wow, no one would ever know that from looking at it! I love the use of the African fabrics--I'd been wondering who might choose to tie this theme to South Africa! Fabric speaking to you? Oh, yes, it often speaks to me as well--loud and clear! A wonderful quilt!
ReplyDeleteBarbara, your quilt is wonderful and I thoroughly enjoyed your commentary. It's fascinating to hear about the journey some of our creativity takes before it manifests into something that often surprises even ourselves. I'm a huge recycling proponent so your bargain shirt really struck a cord with me. Way to go!
ReplyDeleteAgree with Alice - never would have known this was a "rush job". I would have been stressed out. Your quilt looks like you planned it this way from the beginning.
ReplyDeleteGreat quilt & story...even though it did not come together until last night, it IS a wonderful feeling when that flow happens, and it certainly shows in this piece. My fabric talks to me a lot: sometimes we play very nicely together, other times, not so much!
ReplyDeleteYour fabric certainly knew what it wanted and it was very smart too! What a lucky find - the shirt's second life is perfect.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, thanks for the thrift store lead and thrill of the wait for your own revelation. I must chastise my fabric for holding back on me. I want it to talk. Good job. A fine arrangement.
ReplyDeleteHi Barbara - Beautiful quilt and fascinating story. And yes.... my fabrics speak to me all the time. Most of the time they're telling me to put them all back where they belong :-) I love shopping the resale shops - you just never know what treasures you're going to find ! Keep up the great work ! Kathy
ReplyDeleteBarbara, what a great story! Sometimes the best things come at the last minute.
ReplyDeleteThere is something so soothing about your quilt. It is bold and full of color, but calming. It is beautiful!
Hi Barbara. This frustrating, quick job turned out to be a lovely quilt. I really like the recycled shirt background fabric. It is perfectly at home with the African pieces. And I love the fact that you chose a South African theme. Wonderful!
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