Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Worn and Washed Strip Quilt - Work in Progress

Worn and Washed Strip Quilt - Work in Progress | Red Pepper Quilts

Last month I traveled to London and on to Birmingham for the Festival of Quilts. It is there that I picked up a bundle of reclaimed fabrics collated by Kim Porter under the Worn and Washed Fabrics label. Kim started Worn and Washed Fabrics after being inspired by both her love of patchwork quilts and seeing the beautiful prints and softness of pre-worn clothing. Kim sells reclaimed fabric bundles at quilt shows and markets.

Worn and Washed Strip Quilt - Work in Progress | Red Pepper Quilts 2015
Worn and Washed Strip Quilt - Work in Progress | Red Pepper Quilts 2015
Worn and Washed Strip Quilt - Work in Progress | Red Pepper Quilts 2015

I purchased several bundles including a blue/indigo bundle of reclaimed shirt fabrics (unfortunately I did not photograph it prior to opening it. It was beautifully packaged and once opened I cut straight into it!). The bundle included a variety of blue prints; florals, gingham, stripes, and several small pieces of Liberty Tana Lawn. All fabrics are cotton fabrics of various quality (thread count), freshly laundered and naturally dried.

Worn and Washed Strip Quilt - Work in Progress | Red Pepper Quilts 2015

I have added several more pieces of  reclaimed shirt fabrics as well as a range of Liberty Tana Lawn fabrics in navy, blue, black, and purple, all from stash. I was surprised by just how many complementary pieces of fabric I was able to pull from stash.

Worn and Washed Strip Quilt - Work in Progress | Red Pepper Quilts 2015
Worn and Washed Strip Quilt - Work in Progress | Red Pepper Quilts 2015

The bundle fabrics were all 5 inches wide and varied from 5 inches to 12 inches in length. As such a somewhat improvised Strip Quilt was the perfect design. I have set the fabrics against a background of yarn dyed fabric by Lecien. This fabric is 100 per cent cotton with the cross weave creating a textured appearance much like traditional linen. This fabric is similar in weight and cuts, presses and sews just like standard quilting cotton.  

Worn and Washed Strip Quilt - Work in Progress | Red Pepper Quilts

This quilt is a little different to my usual work and and unlike most of my other quilts progress is made with the use of my design wall floor. Once piece at a time, one row at a time. I get tempted to start sewing pieces of fabric, or rows, together which inevitably leads to having to unpick as I change my mind about layout. I am really happy with how the quilt has turned out although I have struggled with the irregularity of  fabric pieces and even the irregular height of the rows. I've kept self doubt at bay by focusing on the prints, the colors and the task of simple sewing.


Reading for basting and quilting. Thank you for stopping by,
Rita

RELEVANT LINKS:
Worn and Washed Strip Quilt - The Finished Quilt
Worn and Washed Fabrics on Facebook
RPQ Worn and Washed Quilt 2014
An Indian Summer Strip Quilt 2012
Low Volume Strip Quilt 2013

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28 comments:

  1. What a wondeful quilt this will be! The fabrics are terrific and the design you chose works so well with them!

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  2. Wow! I love this quilt. I'm such a blue girl, myself, and this looks like a quilt I'd love to make someday. So beautiful.

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  3. love this idea. I have some old shirts and vintage sheets. this is such a simple design I might have to copy with my stash.

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  4. Beautiful - great to see fabric being reused

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  5. I love it--sometimes the simplest designs are the most beautiful!

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  6. What you've just made is a string quilt, which is imperfect and irregular by definition, and perfectly beautiful all the same. Great quilt!

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  7. So pretty! And a surprising departure from your usual palette. I love how you've mixed florals and cross weave with the reclaimed shirtings. I like the irregular sizes of the patches, too. Can't wait to see it quilted.

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  8. Both traditional and modern. And of course, a surprise for the eyes (pink). Love it.

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  9. This might be my favorite quilt you've ever made! I realize it's so simple compared to many of yours, but wow it is pretty! I like those little pink pops of color. Gorgeous!

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  10. What a yummy quilt, Rita! I love your design and how you used some pre-loved fabric--great result :)

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  11. I desperately need to start using my scraps - you have inspired me to start sorting - love this one and looked back at some past ones also - well done!

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  12. I was lucky enough to do a Worn and washed workshop run by Kim. Love your layout and now I think I need to do another.

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  13. oh-my-goodness!!! What a stunning quilt. I just adore all the colors you chose, so perfect in this pattern

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  14. The fabric look beautiful together! I like that in the layout is bars go side to side but the strips go top to bottom. A nice variation on that theme!

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  15. I look at the fabric on this stall every year at the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham but have never bought any. You visit and buy lots and already have a quilt top made. The colours you are using are lovely.

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  16. I love this idea and what you have done with it. Hope to see more of your reclaimed fabrics in other work.

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  17. I love the randomness of this quilt, yet it all seems so perfectly put together! That one consistent linen-look fabric makes it all work. Fabulous!

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  18. I too think this is one of the most attractive quilts you have made. I like its originality and energy. I always am hugely impressed by the perfection of your usual piecing, quilting and finishing but this beautiful quilt is full of life and character.

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  19. Love everything about this quilt - the fabric selection, the layout & hues. Stunning!

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  20. Now this I absolutely love! Using reclaimed fabrics is brilliant. I see that you are using quite a bit of purple here, and it plays wonderfully with the blues. Just love it!

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  21. Um, Rita? I think irregularity suits you! This is amazing!

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  22. Rita, this is great! What a nice find. Mens shirts are made so well, and usually 100% cotton. I have a basket of worn out mens shirts in my "room" upstairs, I toss them in the washer every other month just to keep them from getting musty. I have three sources: Hubbs (his olden work shirts from when he was at DIA, and my two lovable sons in law, they have nice cotton shirts. When they get shabby, they are mine :-)
    I really really need to get back to cutting them up. I save just about everything.
    I love the colors of this quilt, as always, you provide so much inspiration. Thank you for sharing

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  23. This is a beauty! Both soft and bright, it just cries to use for cuddling. Can't wait to see how it's quilted. Thanks for the inspiration to try something like this.

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  24. This is wonderful, Rita! You know you are fueling a new gingham trend with every quilt you make :) every fabric you use seems to become something I really need, lol!! Another beauty, this one!

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  25. Nice! I like that the rows are different heights. It adds to the visual interest of the quilt.

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  26. Rita, I love how you have used the past to make a quilt for the future. Colours are stunning, as always with your quilts. Well done.

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  27. It's Beautiful! The colors are wonderful. You have such an eye for colors. I wish I could see as you do. Stunning!

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