Stringalong Linky Month 3

Here's my progress. It looks the same as last month but now there are 30 blocks!

This one is growing too! 27 a month equals 81 blocks, although there is 82 because one month I made an extra.

How are you coming on your string quilt? Likely much faster than I!!

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You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

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Upcoming on Humble Quilts

Wow, I started to get sick at the coast on Saturday, drank lots of fluids and warded it off until Sunday night. Monday I stayed in bed all day, until I went to Urgent Care. Yesterday was better after 24 hours of antibiotics, but still rested and took it easy. I really wanted to sew, but didn't even have energy for that.
So, here's my post for the day:

We will share our string quilt progress on March 29th

On April 1st we will share our month 2 progress of the Spencer Museum quilt:

Your little swap quilt should be in the mail no later than April 30th.

It's been a quiet week. I hope that changes soon.

Quilt & Fiber Art Museum

Here is the historic building in LaConner, WA that houses the Pacific Northwest Quilt and Fiber Museum. Isn't it lovely?!

The quilts that greeted us are in the museum collection. The volunteer said they were put up to bring a bit of spring to the PNW. It has been so snowy, cold and wet. Perfect way to welcome spring.

 I'm pretty sure several fabric in this 1840's quilt have been reproduced. 

The Hartsford Quilts weren't quite what I was expecting, but still fascinating and a terrific story. 

“The Hartsfield’s collection’s roots date back to the early 1850’s with my great, great, great grandmother who lived in Whitlock, Tennessee, and whose name was Ms. Molly. She was the seamstress for the plantation’s master and she was his property. As a slave, she was “beholden” to her slave master’s wishes, and she bore two children by her owner. Ms. Molly had two children out of slavery; the name of one son is Richard Caldwell, who is my great grandfather [x4], the other son’s name is unknown.”
                                                 Jim Tharpe

 I'm still a little confused if photos were allowed or not, so I am only sharing the 3 quilts that a pattern has been reproduced and can be purchased by contacting the museum.

Make sure to read the story below. This one was behind glass so was harder to photograph. The one made from the pattern looked like a really good copy.

What I love about these quilts is that the quiltmakers had to make do! Love those 3 green background blocks.

We had a feeling these were from pajamas. How sweet!

I LOVE the half blocks all the way around this quilt! I'm not sure the pattern has them or not.

I love that the quilt owners feel a deep responsibility to keep and document these family quilts- no matter how humble they are. 

Friendships on A Friday

I've said it before, I'll say it again. What I love most about quilting is the friendships I make!

Before going to the textile Museum (more on that Monday) I had a chance to visit with Laurie and see some of her "new" acquisitions and her recent sewing projects.

Look at this amazing princess star antique quilt! I love that the quiltmaker quilted the hanging diamonds directly over the applique! 

This was a beautiful crib quilt with fantastic Prussian blues and that tiny scalloped binding!

I've tried to copy her decor ideas, but cannot pull it off quite like she does!!

A newly finished quilt top using Judie Rothermel's 25th anniversary collection. (correct me if I'm wrong Laurie)

smalls....very smalls.... 

 tiny....very tiny.....

 She is putting rows together. WOW!

After lunch in LaConner, we met Merry at her house where she offered me her Accuquilt Go.
Of course, it is so fun to see a quilters home!

 She was quilting this lovely piece and I noticed Laurie and Merry matched it quite well! LOL

Merry has been part of the little quilt swap and I thought it was pretty darling how she had them displayed.

 Wine anyone????

On her design wall she was working on this fun self portrait!

She shared with us the most precious story about 2 yo-yo quilts in the flower garden style her grandmother had made. One, from a neighbor friend, was given back to Merry to keep in the family. It was so unique and fun to look at!

It was truly a labor of love! The fabrics were fun to get an up-close and personal look at. 

And she was happy to make some space in her garage! My question for you who use this, where is the best place/price to get dies? I would like the get ones that do strips. 

Last week I made this comment on my Abe Lincoln post, " It has a lot of brushed cottons" and a reader asked me "  I would like to understand what a brushed cotton is.  I don’t recall that term when I have shopped for fabric - so just curious."

If one person asked, than I'm sure there are a few more that don't know either. 

In order to see the below fabrics well, you'll likely need to view them on something larger than your phone. 

Here is one side of a homespun. It isn't as thick as flannel, but somehow in the process the fibers are raised creating a "brushed" look and feel. 

Here is the exact same piece of fabric only it is the other side that is not brushed/raised. 

I love using the brushed fabric to make the quilt softer and more snuggly, without it being a thicker flannel quilt.

I hope that answers your question.

Have a lovely weekend, dear friends.

QA Quilt Show

Friday my plan was to meet up with Laurie at Quilters Anonymous quilt show in Monroe, WA. 

I was also able to visit with JoAnn from Quilters Coop and Susan, who was helping. The booth was super cute and busy. I can't believe I didn't take any photos!

But here are a few of my favs

The tag on this one wasn't correct so I'm not posting it with the quilt. It was a lovely vintage quilt from the 30's. 

 This is sort of a string quilt. My strings aren't quite this wide. 

This one was nice, from a distance. Be sure and look close at the next photo and read the tag. I think there could have been a better alternative. That's just my opinion.

I'm not sure what happened to the tag on this. What an amazing quilt!

It was a terrific show with a lot of inspiration!!

The doll size quilt swap is on! Everyone should have received a name of who they will be mailing to.

Thanks for wanting to participate! 

Have a lovely day!