Gypsy Wife Begins
Gypsy Wife is a quilt designed by Jen Kingwell that I’ve long been wanting to make. Two of my friends and I have decided to do our own little mini quilt along, so today I’ll show you my progress.
Connie and Sally are making their quilts from a kit. I have decided to make mine from my stash. While they are working on their quilts in sections, I’m starting with the blocks and going from there. My quilt is definitely going to be eclectic. We’ll see how many of the blocks actually make the cut, and how many I redo!
Here is my first block.
This one went together pretty well. I’m pleased with the bright colors.
Next up was this fun little block.
I like that background fabric so much I just bought another 1-1/2 yards.
And then this one.
This one went quickly, using some charm squares in my scrap bin.
This is actually the first block I made.
This was actually a sample block to check my seam allowances. I like it so much, I’m keeping it in.
Last, for now, is this one.
This one was really easy. I found all but one of the HSTs in my scrap bin, all squared and ready to go! Yippee!
Speaking of Challenging Quilts
This weekend I joined my brother Steve and sister-in-law Nita, (owners of What A Hoot Quilting) as they brought a busload of women to the Cities on a mini shop hop. One of the highlights of the trip was an evening with Patricia Cox. An amazing woman, Pat not only creates beautiful quilts, she also collects them. She enjoys sharing her quilts that she has acquired over the years. Pat is in her 90s, still teaches quilting, and is a delightful speaker and presenter.
I wanted to share this picture of one of Pat’s quilts with you. This one was a favorite of mine.
Those are little 1/2-inch squares in this quilt! Here’s a closer view.
If you ever get the chance to hear Pat speak and see some of her quilts, don’t miss it.
While you are reading this post, I’m goofing around with my cousin Deb. She is one of my favorite people, and I can’t wait to have her come and visit!
Wendy
29 Comments
Velda at the Freckled Fox Quiltery
The Gypsy Wife is one of my favourite Jen Kingwell beauties. My niece was gifted the first one I made, so last year I found a quiltalong with the Gnome Angel and made another one. It’s such a uniquely beautiful quilt. I cannot wait to see it.
piecefulwendy
Thank you, Velda!
Cocoa Quilts
Wendy great start. I like the scrappy. What is the fabric you ordered more of in the second block? I like it.
piecefulwendy
Jan, I’ll check and get back to you. I don’t have it in my memory.
piecefulwendy
Jan, the fabric is Modern Background Essentials by Zen Chic for Moda
rl2b2017
Hi Wendy,
Beautiful blocks, all of them! The first one you shared reminds me of a card trick block – I used that for a quilt for my niece years ago. WOWEE – those 1/2 inch blocks in Pat’s quilt – holy moly!! It is beautiful and the quilting sure enhances the overall look. Have fun with your cousin Deb! Don’t get into too much trouble. ~smile~ Roseanne
piecefulwendy
No trouble so far, just alot of chattering back and forth!
Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting
Wendy, great to see your blocks! I’m making GW in block order, too. How handy is that, having those HST ready to go/sew! Love the background fabric that you got more of. Maybe part of the strips, down the line? That 1/2″ quilt from Pat Cox–wow!!! Did she make that or acquire it?
piecefulwendy
I think Pat acquired it, if I recall correctly.
Beth @ Cooking Up Quilts
I love that you are making yours from stash. I call those custom quilts cause no one has one like it! 🙂 Enjoy your family time – sounds like fun!
piecefulwendy
Thanks, Beth!
Vicki in MN
You have a nice start on the Gypsy Wife, did you guys set a time frame or just whenever? I’ll bet that quilt of Pat’s is super heavy with all the little blocks and gazillion seams!!
piecefulwendy
No time set yet!
Tish
Quilts like this one, are one of my favorite ways to use my stash. So I can’t wait to see all the goodies you find you already have. Than Zen Chic print is a great one to have on hand. Actually, the whole line is 🙂 Did Pam talk about how she worked with such small piecing?
piecefulwendy
Thanks, Tish! I think the quilt was one that Pat acquired, rather than made, but I didn’t get a chance to ask her.
Karen
I had thought to make that quilt several times and never did. Love that quilt with 1/2 inch squares – and I thought I was crazy at times 🙂
Barbara
Gypsy Wife reminds me of a quilt I made a while back called Joseph’s Quilt. Part of a BOM, I worked with my stash and ended up with a very brightly colored quilt. Looks like yours will be a beauty. I love that triple Irish chain. I want to make one of those someday.
piecefulwendy
Thanks, Barbara!
handwroughtquilts
This will be fun to see the progress!
piecefulwendy
Thanks!
Kathleen McCormick
Love what you are doing with this! It is a great quilt and I get a kind of rainbow theme going so I think it will all work. That is the fun of her quilts. Your trip sounds like fun – and I love that Irish chain. I don’t think I’d ever do something that small, but I do like a challenge.
Louise Hornor
How fun that you’re doing a GW! I like your blocks so far 🙂 And wow, that postage stamp quilt by Pat is amazing!
piecefulwendy
Thanks!
Lisa
This is quite the project Wendy! It’s great that you are quilting along with your friends. Your test block is my favourite.
piecefulwendy
Thank you, Lisa!
mspdesignsusa
So colorful! You must have an admirable private textile collection (fabric stash). :o)
piecefulwendy
I have a semi-sufficient bright stash :0) not sure it’s going to last through Gypsy Wife though!
Bernie
Your Gypsy Wife quilt is quite the undertaking. It would be really hard for me to make it scrappy because I would be afraid the blocks wouldn’t work together or something? I love the background fabric on the heart block. Really nice!
That quilt with the 1/2″ squares is AMAZING. Enjoy your family time. Nothing better. 🙂
piecefulwendy
It is a challenge for me to do scrappy for the same reason. I’m hoping it doesn’t look like a huge mess when I’m done!