I had a week of no progress again. It was just a super busy week and I feel like I spent the whole week playing catch up but never caught up. Maybe this week will be better.
I was on a mission to get some fabric for my Hawaiian Sunset quilt as it’s at a standstill until I find something that will work. As a reminder, this is what the quilt looks like.
It looks like it’s black for the sashing but it isn’t. It’s a very dark blue. It’s so blue that it’s close to black. I want a reproduction print as all of the other fabrics in the quilt are reproduction prints.
So when I was in Decorah on Wednesday Kalissa had an errand in Decorah and I rode along. While she had an ultrasound, I dropped Carver’s bike off at the bike shop for a tune-up, and then I went to Red Roxy’s Quilt Shop in town.
I went in determined to find something but they don’t carry reproduction fabrics anymore. BLAH!
Well, I had a coupon for $10 off a purchase so I decided to buy a yard of Iowa Hawkeyes fabric for a future donation quilt. I felt a little bad only buying that but I didn’t need anything else…so, I got a yard of fabric for $3ish.
I ended up in New Hampton later in the week still looking for fabric, I stopped at Quilter’s Window. No luck there either. They had reproduction fabric. They had two pieces that I could have made work but there wasn’t enough on either bolt. BLAH!
I searched online at some of the online shops I frequent but had no luck there either.  There was a piece that might work but I don’t always trust the colors at online shops. SO…I’m hesitant to order. I didn’t look super hard as I had hoped to find something at one of the local shops.
This week, I’m going to try looking a little more. If I get Kelli’s way I might try to go to Forest Mills Quilt Shop. They typically don’t go for the modern look so I might have better luck there. We’ll see. I hate that this project is at a standstill.
In my hunt for a reproduction fabric, I’ve not had the best luck. Are reproduction fabrics going to the wayside?? I’ll be so sad. Reproduction fabrics are my absolute favorite. Ah!!! Maybe that means people will be clearing them out of their stash and I’ll start finding them at the thrift store.
If you guessed that my Double Wedding Ring quilt is still on the long arm, you would be correct. I did more but it’s still not quite done. The worst part of all of that is that I’m not even doing a fancy motif on it. I could understand why it’s taken so long if I was doing a fancy motif. I’m so close to done though…
I only have a half of the row left. Notice I’m just shy of having enough batting. I stopped as I have to piece some on to what is here. UGH! I was so close. This was the last piece of the roll and it turns out the batting was cut crooked.
I’ll add that to my “I hope I get it done this week list”. AGAIN!
Do you remember that haul of projects a blog reader sent that I was so excited about?? Read about it HERE if you missed it. Well, I think the same person sent another awesome package. I’ll tell you more about it in a blog post later in the week.
Anyway, one of the things in the package was this…They are small 4″ square in a square blocks. So cute!!
I had listened to a Floss Tube by Olivia at Pumpkin Hollow Quilts. She had just made a Jo Morton pattern called Smores and I was fairly sure it was the same square in a square blocks quilt.
So I looked it up and found this…
HERE is a link to the pattern.
Oh, I like that. I’d love to make it. In the process of it all, I discovered there was a ruler to make the block easier and more precise.
I ended up going on Amazon and ordering the Square in a Square Ruler. It looks like this…
They have a ruler that makes blocks that are 4″ and 8″. They have another that has 3″ and 6″. I got the 4″ and 8″. You can find it HERE.
I’ll try it out and then do a little tutorial for it once I get the hang of it. If anyone wants to sew along with me, you are welcome to. It certainly can be in any style of fabric. I’ll be going with reproduction prints.
I picked up some more flannel at the thrift store.
I’ll be hemming the flannel for receiving blankets for the baby care kits our church is doing. Previously our church didn’t do baby care kits so I passed everything to a friend of mine at another church. Now my church is doing them so I feel like I need to do a little more so hemming these is something I can do.
That’s about the only news from the sewing room. Make sure to stop back so I can show you the goodies that came from the blog reader. Everything is perfectly my style. I was super happy all over again!!
I’m anxious to see your Hawaii Sunset quilt when you get the fabric you are looking for. My favorite are reproduction fabrics and I’m concerned that they are getting harder to find. Thank goodness for Jo Morton and a few others…hopefully we will be able to find more reproduction fabrics.
Jo, have you looked for navy reproduction fabric on Missouri Star Quilt Company’s web site? Also, Homestead Hearth (located in Mexico, MO) has a large selection of reproduction fabric on their web site. I am sure if you saw some fabrics that might work that these stores would be willing to send you samples.
THANKS Martha. I would something at Homestead Hearth. I ordered it so fingers crossed it works!!
How about using a very dark purple if you can’t find a very dark blue? Just a thought.
Regards from sunny Shropshire, England.
Finding what you want/need to finish your quilt to satisfaction can be a royal irritation. Having to settle for 2nd or 3rd choice is very hard to do. I found several quilts when I was moving that have been stored for years because I couldn’t get the color I wanted to finish it. Praying/ hoping you find the right dark blue for your quilt.
Sometimes it is just so hard to find what is needed when you want a particular kind or color of fabric. I hope you will find it soon because it will be fun to see that quilt put together. The blocks are beautiful.
I’m sorry to read that your quest for blue fabric for Hawaiian Sunset has not yet been fruitful. I have two thoughts, in case they are helpful. First, there were two fabrics at the one shop that would have worked if there was enough on the bolt. Can you find out what these fabrics are and find one of them at another shop, even online so you can buy enough? Two, my parents live in Iowa and when we visit we often go to Quilter’s Paradise in Mt. Pleasant, IA. They have mostly reproduction fabrics, so you might try there. It may be more of a drive than you want, but it may be worth calling to see what they have.
I also love the reproduction prints and have had the pleasure of visiting a shop in Williamsburg, IA called The Woolen Needle. I was overwhelmed by the beautiful choices! This shop specializes in reproduction prints and it’s only a couple of hours from you. It would be well worth your time and trouble to go especially since it’s so close to the Amana Colonies!!
My favorite color for quilts (and most everything else lol) is blue, but to me – it is also the hardest color in quilts to ‘match up’ or find exactly what I have in mind. Many years ago I made a spiderweb style with 4 different light to dark blues but didn’t purchase anything for borders. I carried those samples around for years until I found something that I felt could be used for a border, I guess I had to wait until that particular color family of blues came back into style. But I bet soon you will find just the right piece for your quilt.
Jo I sent you a picture of my repro fabrics. I know I have what you need. Please look at emails.
I am in love with the pattern Hawaiian Sunset and the square in a square blocks too. But, I’m making a quilt for my dil – not happy with the pattern or the fabrics she chose. Hard to work on quilts you don’t really like. But will be hers not mine. Have to finish six more blocks then I can start something new.
Hope you find what you need! There are still some great designers of reproduction fabrics if the shop carries them.
Calico Hutch usually has a good selection or Country Peddler up by Fennimore Wi.
Yes, the Civil war repro fabrics are getting scarce in stores. Connie’s Quilt Shop in Marion used to be a reliable source but she’s been phasing them out for at least a couple of years. Last time I was at Little Red Hen in Muscatine (last fall?), they had Jo Morton’s fabrics plus some other repro lines.
Thanks to those who mentioned Mt. Pleasant & Williamsburg – I may need to make a road trip or two. Yes, I’m one who hates to buy fabric on line, especially garment fabric.
We have like favorites. I also have Hawaiian Sunset in progress and am also working on Jo Morton’s smores. For the smores square-n-square block I am using paper piecing . I believe I got the pattern as a freebie on the internet. The block finishes at 4″. I pre-cut the center sq at 2″ – the corner pieces (1st round cut 2 2 1/2 sqs cut on the diagonal and the 2nd round cut 2 3 1/2 sqs cut on the diagonal. I keep the paper foundations and fabric pieces in baggies and stitch up a few when the fancy hits me. They are very accurate and are mindless sewing. Terry
If you’re ever up in the Minnesota Twin Cities, the Noble Quilter in Elk River has a really fantastic selection of Civil War reproduction fabrics. Pine Needles in Rochester sometimes has some. Good luck!
I like that “S’mores” pattern too! It glows!
So sorry about the batting on the wedding ring quilt – so near and yet so far. Another glitch to overcome, but it’ll be just gorgeous…
Sewing Seeds Quilt Co in New Ulm, MN carries a
ton of reproduction fabrics. If you knew the brand and name of the fabric line you are looking for, I bet they would be happy to help. Or, they may find something better. The store is all about great service. Maybe they would even FaceTime with you for a better look at the color. I agree that it is hard to trust colors on the internet, but the right dark blue fabric is out there. You just have to find it!
I saw a line of fabric this morning that looks like maybe something you may like for your Sunset project. Check out this link for the fabric line. Maybe the blue might work.
https://bearcreekquiltingcompany.com/shop/search/?keywords=Garden+Gatherings
Jo, if I find something in my LQS and they don’t have enough, I make a note of the name and manufacturer so I can go home and find it on line. I know the color will work since I saw it in person. I prefer to buy local but sometimes it isn’t possible. Just a thought….
I would love to do a so long for the S’more‘s quilt. I have the pattern, and I also purchased the same ruler. Lots and lots of reproduction scraps of Jo Morton‘s fabric line. After I finish the quilt I’m working on I’m going to break out my square in a square ruler.
Jo – Check out Pieceful Gathering Quilt Shop on line. They carry LOTS of civil war era cottons. Maybe they have the blue you’re looking for.
Try Temecula Quilt Company online. Very nice reproduction fabrics!
There is a quilt store in Fennimore, WI called The Quilt Peddler. They carry reproduction fabrics. And you might find just what you’re looking for. Very nice shop. It is my favorite store in the area.