Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Farmhouse Quilt Top

I forgot to take process photos this week but managed to get the top together. The split Ohio Stars alternate with some easy Log Cabins. Their strong light and dark sides make the furrows highly visible. The log cabin blocks sewed up quickly and the quilt went together like a snap. What a relief after futzing with those split Ohio Stars.

I'd like to consider it done but a narrow border might be better.

Alternating split Ohio Star and Log Cabin blocks in blue and white prints form this quilt top
Ohio Star and Log Cabin farmhouse quilt top

A few miles north of Jamestown is Columbia State Historic Park, a gold rush town integrated into a living town. The proprietors and docents dress in period clothing to share a vision of life: mining, blacksmithing, cooking. There are two hotels and several restaurants. We watched blacksmithing, families riding the stagecoach...

Tourists line up to ride the stagecoach
Stagecoach rides at Columbia State Historic Park

and took a turn in the one lane bowling alley.

A wooden bowling alley with pins that must be reset manually.
Single lane bowling alley, Columbia State Historic Park

Why did this house look familiar to me?* In 1940, the McConnell's bought and restored James Wilson's 1876 home, living here till their deaths. They petitioned the legislature to create a state park commemorating gold rush life - partly to keep the hotel across the street from turning into a brothel.

The white clapboard house sits behind a white picket fence.
Wilson-McConnell House

*It was Gary Cooper's home in the movie High Noon. Although I shouldn't be, I am constantly surprised to find so many classic movie locations around California.

Enjoy the day, Ann

29 comments:

Pamela said...

The blue and white together are charming!

Julierose said...

Just a lovely pairing of those two blocks in the blues and whites ; I agree about a small border... hugs, Julierose

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

Your quilt came together just beautifully!! and what fun - to tour around CA!!

LA Paylor said...

the quilt is so good. I just love these two patterns together with the sparkle of white with blue patterns on some strips. LOVE the town...wish I could tour it too. LeeAnna

Angie in SoCal said...

Stunning quilt! I'll have to put that park on my list if I ever take another road trip up to No Cal. Thanks for sharing.

Janie said...

Your Ohio Star/Log Cabin top is gorgeous, classic! Nice piecing!
And touring Jamestown and Columbia State Park with historical reenactment looks like it was fun.
It's now on my list.

Robin said...

This turned out so pretty and so visually satisfying. I bet your friend is going to be thrilled.

Judy said...

I love that quilt!! Great choice with the white and the blue, so classic.

patty a. said...

What a great idea to pair the Ohio star blocks with the log cabin blocks. Those log cabin help the contrast between the lights and darks. I know you won't just put a plain one fabric border on this so I can't wait to see what you do to add to the fabulousness of this top!

Nann said...

The stars + cabins are a great combination. I've seen split Ohio Stars that are just two fabrics . . . scrappy blocks are much more interesting, but as your blocks show, "scrappy" doesn't mean "unplanned"!

Quiltdivajulie said...

Lovely quilt top - border or not. And the scenes from you latest town visit are wonderful. Thanks for sharing them.

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

A wonderful quilt, loving all the blue & whites together!

Helen L said...

Where are you from? I love Columbia!! Such a wonderful and fun place to visit to get a feel of life in a different century!!! Glad you got to see it! (I'm in Healdsburg, ca, and we've gone there a few times for vacation.)

Helen L said...

oops! Forgot to tell you that your quilt looks fabulous!!! Such a stunning setting!! Hugs, H

Mystic Quilter said...

Ann, I love this blue and white quilt, the combination of the two blocks has created a stunning pattern.

Ann said...

Thanks, Pamela.

Ann said...

Mixing two or three blocks makes such unique quilts I wonder why we don't do it more. Thanks for confirming my decision about the border.

Ann said...

Thanks, Alycia. California state parks are beautiful and well worth multiple trips. I'm glad we finally got to these.

Ann said...

Blue and white always combine well and are usually peaceful. You have so many places to visit in Colorado. That's where I first got interested in geology.

Ann said...

California has such wonderful state parks. I hope you can visit this one some time.

Ann said...

I was very impressed with the quality and friendliness of the re-enactors. We had as much fun as they did.

Ann said...

Thanks, Robin. Blue and white quilts always make such comforting results. One of my favorite combinations and I rarely make them. I think SIL will be quite pleased.

Ann said...

Thanks, Judy. I agree that blue and white make a classic.

Ann said...

Good point, Patty. The log cabin carries the contrast much better than the Ohio Star. Isn't it amazing what great results come from a two block quilt. I should do this more often. Sorry to disappoint you but I'm adding a plain border this time. Nothing else seems to work with the style.

Ann said...

I've never seen split Ohio Stars before. The ones you describe would make a wonderful scrap quilt. I'll have to try it sometime. You're right; these were definitely planned out because I needed to get the light/dark of the Stars working properly. The first few were messy but it got better as I went along.

Ann said...

Thanks, Julie. We enjoy visiting historic sites and California's state parks are always beautiful.

Ann said...

Blue and white are always a great combination, aren't they?

Ann said...

I can't believe we waited so long to see it. Beautiful country and such a wonderfully arranged site. California should be proud of all their parks.

Ann said...

Blue and white is always a favorite of mine. I need to make some for myself. They remind me of old china, always calming and peaceful.