whitewash

Monday, July 18, 2011

The Farmer's Wife

Just before I left on vacation I started my adventure into The Farmer's Wife quilt. I have had the book for quite some time and knew someday I wanted to make this quilt. Lucky for me, it has become the latest rage and now I have lots of friends joining in on the adventure. The book has some great letters from the 20's of women who commented on whether they would want their daughter to marry a farmer. It is quite fascinating to read. The book does not give you exact instructions for the blocks but there are several groups out there helping with directions.
Here is a picture of the finished quilt. There are 111 blocks in the book and some quilters have chosen to do a smaller version. I am not making any decisions at this point as to the size of my finished quilt.
We saw lots of farms on our trip through Michigan and Canada. I couldn't help but think about the lives of the women who live on the farms.




I have chosen to use the Marti Michell templates to do my piecing of the blocks. Yet, another thing I have been wanting to do, perfecting my piecing. I am happy with what I do because I am not a perfectionist but I never want to give anything away because I don't like people to see my corners not matched up. This was a perfect plan...The Farmer's Wife and Marti Michell templates. I am happy with the first blocks that I did but feel even more confident that the next ones will be better.




One great thing about this quilt...it is all coming from my stash!! The Marti Michell templates do cost money but are worth their price because you get perfect piecing every time. I have another blog post to write proving the worth of these templates. They are saving me from pulling out my hair right now on a swap I have committed to participate in. I love gadgets that make my life easier!

9 comments:

Tilly said...

Hope to see you at our FWQAL meeting at The Quilt Asylum on August 1!

Ellyn said...

your blocks are lovely! I like the last one best, the blue & tan. Nice work my friend!

Melissa said...

Your blocks look great - I'm looking forward to seeing this quilt progress!

Marti Michell said...

Your blocks look great! Thank you for using our templates to cut them out. I enjoyed making my Farmer's Wife blocks and am really glad that you and so many other quilters are finding the template conversion info so helpful. Happy quilting! :-)

Deb said...

Quick question...does using the Marti Mitchell templates mean that you'll be making larger sized blocks than the FW calls for? Or...if you use them the blocks will be a perfect 6"? Our quilt shop gave us a Marti Mitchell link and said to sign up and we'd be sent a conversion chart. I haven't received anything and not sure what that means. Did you buy ALL the template packets? I already have two but wasn't sure about investing in all of them. Thanks!

Cyndi said...

I have always loved your work. You have such an eye for color. I can't wait to see the finished product. Then you can start on the cat quilt!

Sewjoe said...

Deb,

The templates allow you to make the 6" blocks like the pattern calls for. I don't know about a conversion chart but I know somewhere there is a list that tells you what templates make what blocks. It really did make it easier. Eventually, you will own all the templates that can be used in many other patterns.

Sewjoe said...

Cyndi,

Yes, I owe you a quilt for your cat...just after the one for Aunt Sue, Grandma Bessie, Uncle George, SIL Teeda, etc. LOL!

bp said...

Absolutely love how your blocks are lookin'! My Marti Michell templates should have arrived by the time I get home from the swamp!