Monday, March 26, 2012

No Signal!

A new TV (new to us) arrived in our home this week.  A widescreen TV.  We can now see and read all of what is presented on the screen.  I am not sure if that is such a good thing.


We are not so clever when it comes to installing and programming TV/Video/DVD players and together with the fact that this TV was so incredibly heavy and there were so many cables it was never a task for the faint hearted. 


After many cable exchanges, much button pushing, and a gasp from the - not so helpful - onlookers, there was sound, and then finally an image.  The image transported me back to a time when TV stations did not transmit 24 hours a day, and the TV test pattern was a regular screen feature.


I knew immediately that I could replicate the No Signal - Test Pattern in quilt form.  I started and finished this mini quilt project on Friday evening and it's the most playful sewing fun I've had in a while.  I started cutting and piecing without a plan, no measuring, no calculations, just taking one step at a time and trimming back when things got a little out of proportion.   I think it worked out rather well.  Lucky!


I love making mini quilts especially the quilting part!   All of the quilting was done with a walking foot, even the circular spiral on the background fabric.

Quilt Notes:
Mini Quilt measures 25 inches x 25 inches
All solid Test Pattern and binding fabrics are Kona Cotton Solids by Robert Kaufman
Background fabric is Alexander Henry - Heath in Metal
Backing fabric - Kona Cotton in Chartreuse

More mini-quilt projects are likely!

Thank you for stopping by,
Rita

50 comments:

  1. This is so very clever! Well done!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Awesome, and even better as a mini quilt

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is awesome! I knew immediately what it was (does that show my age?) Blown away that you completed so quickly.

    ReplyDelete
  4. this is such a fun little quilt!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Very inventive! I remember very well the hours of test pattern on the tv. As kids, we found that just as fascinating as the programming!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Such nostalgia! Really love it! Our children don't know what they're missing. . .

    ReplyDelete
  7. very fun quilt, rita! it's fun and nostalgic!

    ReplyDelete
  8. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I remember this! I used to babysit for people and TV went off at 12:00. VERY BORING after that. Oops--now I'm feeling old!

    ReplyDelete
  10. looks like an alien from outer space!!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Very fun! I love all of the detail and the scale.

    I recently contributed a TV test pattern quilt design to an upcoming quilting with solids book. This is not the best photo, but you get the idea! Mine also has an extra surprise but you'll have to wait until the book comes out to see. :)

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/ctpublishing/6500722531/in/photostream

    ReplyDelete
  12. I really love how the quilting looks a little like static on the screen. It adds extra nostalgia.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I adore this. When I was a very young child, I loved looking at that screen with all of the pretty colors. I'm very happy to see it again!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Love it! Takes me back. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  15. So cute! What a fun mini it makes :-) Thanks for sharing the story behind the inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love it! Fantastic quilt!

    ReplyDelete
  17. oh Rita it's wonderful ... I did a post about how quilty old test cards were a couple of weeks ago ... collective consciousness rides again!

    I really want to make one of the black and white ones!!

    http://www.pingsandneedles.com/2012/03/distraction-diversion-confession.html

    ReplyDelete
  18. How fun! Love the bright, bold colors!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I love it !! Yes, I'm old enough to remember the test patterns lol. And old enough to remember the waking up (after falling asleep) in front of the tv - to just static and white out screen.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Wow what a great way to get inspiration for a quilt! =D

    ReplyDelete
  21. Brilliant! I remember that signal well from my childhood, not sure my kids have ever even seen it! :o)

    ReplyDelete
  22. That looks amazing! You've done a fantastic job with it.

    ReplyDelete
  23. LOL. Oh my childhood! :D

    Beautiful work!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I remember that picture well. My kids find it hard to believe tv was not always on. Black and white tv was normal before colour.
    That is a very cute quilt.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Very nice! Amazing that you just came up with that.

    ReplyDelete
  26. How fun, just shared the link on my FB wall.

    Hugs
    Naomi

    ReplyDelete
  27. Lovely! The quilting is fantastic :-)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Oh my goodness ~ amazing idea ~ it's fabulous! ~~Jodie :o)

    ReplyDelete
  29. love it! so creative and fun!

    ReplyDelete
  30. You beat me too it! I have had this idea floating around my sketch book for a while. Great job, it looks great! You'll have to produce a pattern now!

    ReplyDelete
  31. love it - took me straight back to childhood - thanks :)

    ReplyDelete
  32. What a great way to set yourself a fun little challenge!

    ReplyDelete
  33. What a super fun "blast from the past"! Loving this quilt!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Fab test card! Oh the memories!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment! I really appreciate it.

Comments are published after review.

Feel free to ask questions and I will answer either here or by email, as is appropriate.