Month 16 Pink and Red Wreaths

Red Wreath Original Block

"C-2 Wreath (red) with name/date
Rose Wreaths were especially popular circa 1840-1860 with numerous variations recorded by quilt historians. This block has the name "A.B.Martz" and the date "1859" stitched in block lettering in the quilting."...Neva Hart

Original Quilt - Pink Wreath Block

"D-5 Wreath (Pink)
This block shows off the echo quilting used throughout the quilt." ...Neva Hart

Original Quilt Detail

Detail of the letters in the quilting and the year 1853 below the red wreath block.


In the original quilt, the red wreath block is placed next to the rainbow block.

Original Quilt Detail

The inking is the word 'Wreath'

Esther quilted through the inking.













The red wreath was the first block I stitched. As we planned this project, I decided I had to stitch one of the blocks in the 8" size before committing to the entire project.

I used embroidery for the smallest green stems.

I was hooked!
It was easy to say yes to the smaller size, and this beautiful quilt.

I wanted the stem to decrease at the tip.

I used a stem stitch from the base of the bud going up. The knot is buried behind the red bud. After completing the last stitch at the tip, I work on the back and weave the thread back to the base of the bud. Working down from the bud, I used a chain stitch for the stem. This gave me two different stitch widths.  I had a place to bury my knots, no dark threads will show through my appliqué ground fabric.

My pink wreath has a little goof.
See it?
Right in the center!

In my inking zeal, I inked the year I started the project!

Easy fix!

I will add the year I finish the quilt under 2015, between the flower and the bud. This will give me the start and finish years with the details on the label.

My goal is 2017; quilted, bound and labeled.


Please check our Facebook Page HERE to see 100's of SVBAQ block photos.
If you would like your block photos shared on the blog please email them to us, or link your blog up the 15th of each month.

Happy Stitching,
Dawn & Doreen

End of Month 15 - Peony blocks and more....

We have more beautiful blocks to share for December's end of month Show & Tell. Above is LeMoyne's beautiful Peony block stitched up in cheerful 1930's reproduction prints.

Next we have Wendy's Peony block. Wendy is using early reproduction fabrics and I think her arrangement looks striking against the bold cheddar background.
She is quilting each block in pot holder style.

Here is Nancy's Peony block, also made from earlier/1800's reproduction fabrics. Nancy attached a note to her block picture letting us know that she hadn't had a chance to iron her block yet. (she was determined to get her block completed before month's end)
I'm sure we all agree, Nancy's block looks beautiful even without a final press!

LeMoyne Meichner was exceptionally busy this month, determined to catch up on some of the earlier released block assignments. Congratulations LeMoyne on your amazing accomplishment! All of your blocks are gorgeous!

You can find more block pictures on our Facebook page HERE.

As another year comes to an end, we would like to THANK you all for sharing 2016 with us! Your support and participation continue to make this Shenandoah Valley Botanical Album Sew Along the success that it is.

As a special treat, we'd like to share with you all an old family photograph of Esther's home on Locust Grove.
(we are uncertain at this time who the women are in the picture)

On behalf of The Virginia Quilt Museum, Neva Hart, Dawn Cook Ronningen and Doreen Johnson- we would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year!

Happy Stitching,
Doreen & Dawn

Mid month Show & Tell - Peony block

We have some fabulous blocks to share this month.
Once again, the personality, stitch work and creative interpretations are wonderful!

Gail decided to fussy cut her flowers using a technique called Broderie Perse. Her block finishes at 8.5" and if you look closely you can see the tiny ant she embroidered onto one of the stems.

Dianne Miller was gracious to share with us how she applique'd her Peony block. Dianne stitched her stems & leaves from one single piece of fabric. She cut away and turned her fabric under as she worked her way around the block.

Pamela and Patti made their blocks using hand dyed and batik fabrics...

Below are a few more small 8.5" blocks.
Krista's in wool and Dawn and Susie's in cotton reproduction prints.

Pat's block in batiks with a modern Kaffe fabric for the vase

Marcia's block created with modern "Tula Pink" fabrics

If you are currently working on your Peony block (or any other botanical block we've already posted) please send us a picture when it's finished. We'd love to share more of your work in our End of Month post!
You can also follow us and share on facebook HERE

On behalf of The Virginia Quilt Museum, Neva Hart, Dawn Cook Ronningen and myself - we would like to wish all of you a very Happy Holiday Season !

Happy Stitching!
Doreen & Dawn

For MORE blocks and details shared by our blogging friends - please visit their links below:

B-4 Peony - Month 15

"A robust bouquet in a classic vase form which may have been inspired by the well-known potters in the surrounding counties where Esther lived. Stoneware containers, however, are not footed."..Neva Hart

This block required a little bit of attention to detail when layering some of the leaves and stem work. Below you can see the order in which I stitched my pieces down:
(click on image below for larger view)

It looked to me like Esther used reverse applique' when sewing 2 of the more round shaped buds. That was also my preferred method of sewing them.

As one to "fuss a bit" with flower arrangements, I decided to rearrange the lower bud near the top of the vase and straighten up the stems going into it.

And here is the finished block:

We look forward to seeing your interpretations of this block as well!

Happy Stitching,
Doreen & Dawn

You can visit the group Facebook page HERE.
Remember to come back mid month for more block Show & Tell photos.
You can also email your block photos to us and we can help you share.