Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Amish Gems - UFO Finished

This is was my second-oldest UFO. We exchanged the blocks in the QGGH Evening Scrap Bee back in 1992. I wouldn't remember but I made a label... for the top. Since then, it's moved with me every time. Good intentions but...

Machine quilting by Peg Collins, Alamosa CO.
Dark and bright solids create
squares on point for an Amish Gems quilt.

I finally realized I will never quilt this. Quilting sister (QS) ordered me to send it to our dear friend, Peg Collins. Her email is collinspeg(at)hotmail(dot)com if you'd like to speak with her about doing some work for you, too. She's so artistic and custom quilts beautifully. In fact, she won a ribbon at AQS a few years ago. So into the mail it went with a note: no hurry, do what you think best.
Details of all the wonderful quilting
on Amish Gems, designed by Peg Collins

Peg used a variegated thread, black batt and her fabulous design sense. How exciting to have this complete and in use for the holidays. It's still pretty after 23 years!

I do remember making the back. There wasn't enough fabric to make an entire back and with all three kiddos covered in chicken pox, visiting the fabric shop was not an option. These two seemed to go together. It's ordinary today but back in '92, this was quite a wild back.

AmishGemsBack


Enjoy the day, Ann

36 comments:

Monica said...

Those Amish solids really are nice. Your colours glow! Second oldest UFO? What is the oldest one?

But this is a great finish, and I like the lime binding. I bet you wouldn't have done that in 1992!

Teresa Duryea Wong said...

Wow. That's an oldie! Good for you for getting it out and getting it finished. And now it has more of a story!

Mary Marcotte said...

It's hilarious that there were days when colors did or did not go together. Those rules were pretty strict, too. Wait, there was a time when some colors were not available! I remember those days, and the days I said I would not use _____ color! I've changed so much over the years. I've used lime green! In a quilt! A grandchild did that when she insisted that I buy lime green for a pillow for her room. After that, every rule was tossed, lost, and gone forever. There's no going back now! I love your quilt and have no doubt that you will have many, many years of enjoyment from it.

Mystic Quilter said...

A real beauty - and a good age into the bargain! My first love and first real quilting book was on the Amish quilts - Roberta Horton.
I just love the jewel colours, sparkling like crazy.

audrey said...

Oh I bet this was a wild backing, but it's aged wonderfully! The whole quilt just glows--you definitely captured that Amish beauty. Lovely to have it quilted so well and now on to enjoying it!

Kaja said...

That was where I started too!

Kaja said...

How lovely that you finally had this quilted - and she has done a fabulous. It all started with the Amish quilts and this reminds me of why I was captivated - the colours just sing.

Janie said...

Amish is classic, great colors too.

Ann said...

Thanks, Monica. It amazes me how good this still looks. The oldest is a medallion that's posted somewhere on this blog. Since I'm hand quilting, it may be a life project.

Ann said...

Such a good point, Teresa. I'm so glad this is out of the stash.

Ann said...

Ah, Mary, I'd forgotten that a couple of people chided me for putting "orange and red together" on this quilt. I couldn't find it; they touch on point. Now it looks fairly ordinary.

Ann said...

That was one of the first book studies I ever did with a small group. Still love that way of learning when there's a book with loads of information.

Ann said...

Thanks, Audrey. Not too many age this well into the "middle years" of a quilt. Perhaps because it evoked 1900 Amish?

Ann said...

Thanks, Kaja. Peg quilts in ways I would never attempt. So fun to have one that I didn't quilt.

Ann said...

Thanks, Janie. They are classic colors and still pretty.

Lisa J. said...

This is a gorgeous quilt. I never get tired of Amish inspired quilts. Love the back!

Stephie said...

I'm surprised your QS hasn't demanded you give it to her for her brilliant solution to your gorgeous UFO! It's wonderful to be able to blog about it now, something we couldn't do 23 years ago! I think it's such a beautiful quilt - a real gem!

Ann said...

Isn't it amazing how much better every quilt looks when it's finished. Quilting and binding does it every time.

Ann said...

I offered it to her if she wanted to quilt it. She lost her chance. Blogging is great. I love seeing and discussing what we all do. And meet such charming quilters.

Quiltdivajulie said...

Truly fabulous -- and I love the "ahead of its time" back!

Ann said...

It's great to have it finished. I'm glad you like it, too, Julie.

Lara B. said...

23 years..... What? I always lose a decade in there somewhere. It's a Beautiful Quilt, beautifully quilted Ann! That's some memory of having all three down with chicken pox at once.

Helen L said...

It's a classic, so it isn't out of style!! And it is just beautiful, with beautiful quilting, and I love the back! Glad to know I'm not the only one with old WIP's!! Hugs, H in Healdsburg

fernroycequilting said...

Wow. There is something so timeless about solid colors! Kudos for you for finishing your beautiful quilt.

Cathy Tomm said...

Great finish!I love how the backing worked out for you. I love the solids.

Ann said...

Thanks, Helen. It looks so much better quilted and bound. Now to finish the oldest one...

Ann said...

Thanks for the comment. I saw the Pilgrim and Roy exhibit in Boston last year and many of those quilts had similar colors. They are timeless, aren't they?

Ann said...

Thanks, Cathy. I always like using what's on hand for the backing.. There's almost always something that needs to be used up. But this one seemed a bit loud - even for me.

Cathy said...

A timeless beauty! Congrats on the finish.

Ann said...

Thanks, Cathy. It is wonderful to have it done and find I like it even more.

Nicky said...

Love the colours in this quilt Thanks for linking up to #scraptastictuesday

Leanne said...

It's beautiful, it sort of glows. I love scrappy solid quilts.

Linda Smith said...

It's like having a time machine. The 23 years-younger you just sent you a gift. A real beauty.

Ann said...

Thanks, Leanne. I think that glow was what brought Amish quilts to prominence originally. Glad to know I captured a bit of it.

Ann said...

What a charming idea, Linda. Thanks!

Ann said...

Thanks for hosting your linky. It's always fun to see what everyone is up to.