Delectable Moutains Quilt Block

Do you know what I have noticed since I started making this sampler quilt? That I feel "gutsier" with the fabrics I choose to make the blocks. Not that I am not conscientious of the fabrics I choose to make each block, but I feel more comfortable with it all.

I have heard where some women put their fabric scrapes into three different containers or sacks/bags. One each for the lights, medium and dark fabrics/hues. The challenge is to use whatever fabric they pull out ... no matter what. Hmmm ..... I do believe I would like to try this at some point. Perhaps if enough of you would like to do this together as a group effort, I would very much be game! If you consider how fortunate we are in comparison to our Quilting Ancestors with our being able to obtain fabrics at a whim, the three bag of fabrics idea just may be a more accurate style of quilt they may have made. Actually, if you look at some of the Antique and Vintage quilts, you will see pieces put together that we may not have. They had to work with what they had (such as the antique quilt pic on the left), and the three bag challenge makes us have to do the same thing. Interesting concept!

Last night I made the Delectable Mountains quilt block. I have never made this one before, and I absolutely loved it! I googled the quilt block and its history. Here is a link that I found very interesting. http://www.patternsfromhistory.com/pioneer_pattern/delectable-mountains.htm

Once again, my inspiration for the sample quilt is from the 2009/2010 Winter Edition of the McCalls Quilting Magazine. You can get a back issue via www. quiltersvillage.com

Now I would like to show you a picture of another creation I have made. Another part of my life is sewing historical gowns. This is a Civil War era ensemble. This is something my Great Great Grandmother or Aunt may have worn. It could easily have been worn during the second stage of mourning, or as a traveling ensemble. At any rate, this is something I do and want to share this with my quilting friends.