...plaid, that's how I think I'm going to call this new patchwork coverlet... I think it's a fitting name for my most recent sewing project because I only used vintage fabric, probably mostly from the 60's and 70's, for all the floral squares and for a lot of the woolly fabrics such as all the plaids that seem to catch your eye as soon as you first look at the patchwork, don't you think?!...
The florals are mostly cottons with a few cotton-like blends which probably include polyester (where would the 70's be without polyester?!) and a lot of them are of a heavier weight than quilting cottons; most of them also have a lovely texture and feel to them due to a heavier, coarser, more homespun weave. (The majority of these fabrics would have undoubtedly been used for draperies and upholstery.) Now, I immediately gravitated to these vintage florals of mine (which I've been collecting for quite a while now) when I first started thinking of fabric that would work nicely with patterned woolly fabric in a coverlet; not only are a lot of them comparable in weight, but I think they also complement the woolly look perfectly with all their many yummy homespun textures...
Now, as far as the "woollies" go, they are of a mixed bag: some squares are definitely 100% pure wool, while others are cut from 100% acrylic fabric, wool blends, as well as fabric wholly made from other unknown synthetic fibers. So as you can see, the coverlet is a real hodgepodge as to fabric types, but I think that's what makes it such a delight to first put together and so much fun to look at when it's all finished. Even though sewing some of the seams for the patchwork top involved sewing two very different types of fabric together, I didn't have too many problems due the two fabrics having a different stretch to them; there might have been one or two seams where I had to stretch the top or bottom fabric a tiny bit while sewing the seam so that the two fabric edges would align at the end of the seam.
As soon I looked at my squares all laid out on the floor ready to sew together, I knew exactly what fabric I wanted to back the patchwork with. Now, that can be a good thing because it can be very frustrating to finish a patchwork and be totally stumped as to what to back it with, but, on the other hand, having a clear idea of a needed fabric can also lead to frustration when you can't find it anywhere!... Luckily for me, I found exactly what I wanted in the first local fabric shop I walked into: a light brown taupe cotton corduroy in a wide width.
I always try to back my patchworks in a colour that isn't dominant in the chosen colour scheme so as not to overemphasize one of the dominant colours over all the others. Basically, I look for that very special colour that weaves subtly throughout the whole patchwork, bringing out each of the dominant colours without upstaging them and, by being a "demure companion" to all the dominant colours, becomes the all important linking colour that makes the dominant colours blend nicely together. (Wow, that was a mouthful -- I hope it's understandable!) As there are hints of browns throughout the patchwork, I thought a relatively neutral colour in the brown family like the light brown taupe colour I ended up choosing would work nicely. I wanted corduroy for the backing because it is soft to the touch which is nice to have on the side of the blanket likely to be close to one's skin and, by being a stiffer fabric especially when new, it gives the whole coverlet a crisp feeling which I love. In keeping with the retro choice of fabric for the patchwork (as well as the retro name I gave it!), corduroy in this particular shade was also a clear favourite because I'm sure I must have had a pair of "slacks"in the 70's made of a very similar fabric!...
The patchwork top is tied to the other two layers, the cotton batting in the middle and the corduroy backing; I thought a lighter colour for the ties would look good and I decided on using a very soft cotton yarn in what I think of as a "duck egg" colour, or a lovely greenish soft blue colour...
Because the yarn I used for the ties is very soft and loosely-plied, the ties will soon look like sweet little tassels as all the strands in the yarn start separating from each other...
Now, I have to tell you that, not only am I sewing with lots of woolly plaids at the moment, but I'm also engrossed by a book that repeatedly makes mention of woolly plaids of the Scottish tartan variety (hint: the photo below)...
Yes, you've undoubtedly guessed that I'm referring to the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon; I'm past the halfway point of the first book in the series and I'm having a hard time putting it down! Have you read any of the books? I haven't seen the first eight episodes of the TV series as of yet, but I think that I'll have to see them somehow after I finish the first book and before the new episodes air this April! Have any of you watched these first episodes? Did you like them?
Despite not having seen any of it, I have seen photos from the show and the costumes as well as the locations look absolutely stunning... Judging by the photo above, the creative team behind the costumes have done a delicious job using all sorts of fabulous woolly fabrics in beautiful earthy tones (slightly more muted than my coverlet!!) which seem to match the natural settings perfectly... Happily, I've discovered the blog written by Terry Dresbach who designs all the costumes for the Outlander TV series through Helen who reads my blog and sends me the nicest emails... (Thanks Helen!) If you haven't been by this blog, it's worth taking a peek at it, if only for its great shots of the costumes in all their splendour, showing plenty of their gorgeous, very labour-intensive details... I hope you enjoyed my plaid-filled post and I should be back shortly with some cushion talk... Thanks for popping by!
Beautiful mix of fabrics... the plaids and florals look so colourful and cosy together. Perfect wintertime blanket
Posted by: mrs robinson | February 04, 2015 at 04:14 AM
LOVE the plaids and florals together. The corduroy is a perfect match for it! The weight to this one must be nice too. I've not seen that series but will definitely check it out, thanks for the links.
Posted by: Angela-Southern USA | February 04, 2015 at 05:07 AM
I've read all the books, and read all but the most recent one twice! They are heavy to hold for long hours, but absolutely delicious as e-books. Enjoy!
Posted by: Barbara Seiver | February 04, 2015 at 06:32 AM
I LOVE LOVE LOVE your patchwork quilt - I would never have thought to use courdoroy - what a great option tho. I read the entire series of Outlander books, except for the most recent one. I read the first book in ONE NIGHT - because I stayed up all night. I've watched the first 8 episodes of the TV series. It took me a bit to get used to Jamie on the TV not being a big hulking guy with long red locks, but I'm working to feel it.
Posted by: Sher | February 04, 2015 at 12:15 PM
Just found your lovely blog and had to comment on this beautiful quilt. Love the look of it. I have some vintage fabric that I haven't cut into yet but seeing the plaid with the florals may just have inspired to do so! x
Posted by: Abigail | February 21, 2015 at 11:05 AM