Thursday, January 8, 2015

Modernizing the Farmer's Wife Quilt: Introduction



I have always loved the Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilts that I have seen, however I enjoy making simple quilts.  The Farmer's Wife quilt is anything but simple with all those tiny pieces in a six inch block!  I mentioned to my friend Jennie that I have thought about simplifying and modernizing the Farmer's Wife quilt.  She thought it was a great idea, and I started planning how I would do that. 

It is a new year, time to start a new project, and the perfect time for me to start my own Modern Farmer's Wife quilt.  I will be posting my progress and my ideas for modernizing the quilt here on my blog, so feel free to join me in making the quilt--especially if you have started a Farmer's Wife quilt only to abandon it due to the tiny pieces. 

Here are my plans for the series (with a sneak peek at the upcoming episodes): 
  • Episode 1:   Selecting Fabric and a Block Layout
  • Episode 2:   Enlarging the Simplest Blocks {Using only squares and rectangles, plus a bonus fifth block}
  • Episode 3:   Enlarging Simple Blocks {9-patches made with HST and 4-patches}
  • Episode 4:   Enlarging Intermediate Blocks {Blocks made up with just HST}
  • Episode 5:   Enlarging Intermediate Blocks {Blocks using HST, squares, and rectangles}
  • Episode 6:   Enlarging Blocks divided into fifths {Plus Adding a Border to finish at 12 inches}
  • Episode 7:   Repeating Simple 6 inch blocks {Two and Four of a Kind}
  • Episode 8:   Using Individual 6 inch blocks {Combining blocks, plus a bonus fifth block}
  • Episode 9:   Finishing the Blocks {Adding borders}
  • Episode 10:  Finishing the Top {Adding sashing and cornerstones}   

  • Episode 11:  Machine Quilting the Modern Farmer's Wife


In the episodes sharing the altered blocks, I will be including the sizes I used to rotary cut my blocks.  Please refer to the excellent FWQ book by Laurie Hird for more information.  I must say that the best part of the book (and the reason why I wanted to make this quilt) is the letters it includes from farmers' wives of 1922 answering the question: "If you had a daughter of marriageable age, would you, in light of your own experiences, have her marry a farmer?"  I love the message behind the blocks and quilt.

I will be going through this series quickly (hopefully finishing by the end of the month), because I have already started making the blocks.  Whether you decide to make a Modern Farmer's Wife Quilt or not, I hope you enjoy this series. 

Before I finish this post, I thought I would include a couple tips for organizing the fabric when making a sampler quilt. 

Tip #1  Use Post-it notes to keep track of strip sizes.


Tip #2 Use paper plates to organize blocks which have already been cut


If you decide to make a quilt from this series, I hope you will show me.  :)

XX,
Jasmine

P.S.  I will be updating this post with links to each episode in the series as I finish them. 

P.P.S.  I know it is a little funny to call this a series with episodes, but you can just blame that on all of the series and episodes of Curious George I have been watching with my boys who have been unwell.  ;)

P.P.P.S.  I will be linking up with some of my favorite parties including Let's Bee Social, Needle and Thread Thursday, and Can I Get a Whoop Whoop.

18 comments:

  1. This sounds amazing Jasmine! I'm excited to see your posts :)

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  2. Interesting - I can't wait to see your take on it! I decided I hate samplers in any form, but it's always nice to see the Farmer's Wife done a little differently.

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  3. That sounds like a fabulous idea! I have seen a lot of Farmer's Wife blocks but had many of the same thoughts. I look forward to seeing your modern take on this lovely quilt!

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  4. This will be wonderful! Can't wait to see what yours looks like. I have yet to tackle that one but have made many samplers and I love them all!

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  5. What a great idea, Jasmine! I have too much on my plate right now to join you but I'm going to enjoy checking in with your blog to see your progress! I love your fabric choices. Marbles are a staple in my stash!

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  6. I am looking forward to seeing your posts. I would love to join in but I told myself I can't take on any new projects. But we all know I have zero willpower!

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  7. WOW! I love the pictures, the layout, the organizing and the total planning. Really impressed. Good for you.

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  8. Wow. I love your idea. I look forward to your posts. Reading the letters in the book was my favourite part.

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  9. I have been looking at your blocks. I like your idea of making it more modern and I enjoy following your progress. Nice work!

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  10. What a great idea! Love your samples, Jasmine. Your fabric choices are gorgeous. And I like how you simplified the blocks. This is going to be fun!

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  11. Yay! I feel the same about the Farmer's Wife Sampler! Loving your version!

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  12. Really fabulous tips! I never made the farmers wife blocks, but it is gorgeous! Thank you for sharing...gotta keep an eye on your progress!

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  13. All the best with this project; it looks easier than the original which seems to take forever. Thanks for the tips for organising strips and pieces.

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  14. Rosemary B here:
    I will save this page and make a time to follow through on your instructions. These are so well done.
    Thank you Jasmine
    Right now I am taking care of my mom and dad. They are 92 and very cute, a little bit forgetful and they need my supervision and encouragement. they are pretty fun, really.
    I want to do this project, but for me, I get way behind. So it is great that you have this key page

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  15. I love this!! Now that I have finished my Tula Sampler 100 blocks, I am beginning to think about jumping into this project. What a great idea to enlarge the blocks. I, too, would prefer a more modern look for this quilt. Fun!

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  16. What a fabulous idea to add these twists to the FWQ blocks. I've had my fabric and book sitting and waiting for me to get started for over a year now and haven't gotten started yet. Going to have to read through all you posts to find some inspiration!!

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  17. This is one of the loveliest Farmer's Wife quilts I've seen. You've put a new slant on it for me. It's very popular around here, and I've never been able to get excited about it until I saw yours.

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  18. Thank you! I bought the book, but when I saw the size of the blocks, I was not overly thrilled and put the book in the "someday" pile! You just moved the patterns in the Farmhouse book higher up on my list!!

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