Big Top Finished

 Ever since I saw a photo of an antique quilt I loved on a friend's post I have wanted to make that quilt. Fortunately, a published pattern already existed for it so I didn't have to reinvent the wheel.

This is my version, 111" square, of the wonderful old quilt:

Here is the original photo that inspired me:

The primary change I made, other than size, was to add cheddar cornerstones at the sashing intersections instead of the double geese in the original. I really struggled with that decision. I really wanted to be true to the original maker's design. But, as I tell my students all the time, "It's Your Quilt--You Get to Decide". So, I did.

Eventually, I'll get this really BIG quilt basted and begin quilting it. The back took 10 yards of fabric--good way to empty a bolt that has been in my closet for years.

Now, since I really want to be true to the original, I have started a second one--a much smaller sample that can easily travel when I get to teach this to some lucky guild, sometime in the future. Here is just a taste:

Big, bold, bright--very different. All the geese are the same dotty fabric, all the star points in the blocks are the same fabric, a white/black print. The blocks will have a wide variety of bright prints. 

Often, people cannot picture what a quilt will look like made with fabrics different from the sample. For those who don't love Civil War reproduction fabrics, here is an alternative. This sample will be 45" square.

For more information about this quilt, see an earlier blog I wrote about it Here.

And, just one more thing--today in the US is Veteran's Day, set aside to salute all US veterans of all branches of our military service. As a former United States Marine, I salute all who have served in the past, are serving now, and will step up to serve in the future. Semper Fi!

A few years ago...

Let's quilt.

Barbara