Saturday, June 26, 2010

Crown of Thorn Blocks

I started a new project with my thrifted shirting fabric. I started by cutting squares and half-square triangles that finish at 2". I didn't know how I was going to sew them at first, but ended up deciding on Crown of Thorns:


I think my quilting friends almost fell out of their seats to see me working on these fabrics and in a traditional pattern. yeah, well, it happens. It's been too long in fact. I just wanted some mindless sewing to do and it's too hard to take bins and bins of strings when I go sew elsewhere. So the Anna quilt is temporarily on hold.  Fun to see my works in progress together:


Well, some of my works in progress.

I'm also working on cutting up more shirts (Note to self: Must . stop . buying . shirts) when I can get them out from underneath the cats.  Pokey:


and Lily:




and just for Dawn, another pic of Lily:


I shouldn't be sewing with new quilt blocks or cutting up shirts at all right now. I'm supposed to be sewing backings together. And working on this:

41 comments:

Michelle said...

That is awesome. I love how you are repurposing those shirts. Sometimes you need a brain break! I'm excited for your book.

Andra Gayle said...

I have been thinking about buying shirts myself. Your blocks look great! I also added a new project today. I have about 20 in the works-pretty sad-one of them is at least 12 years old and still in pieces.

Millie said...

You, uh... need help piecing those three words together for the cover of that book?

Please tell me they will be free pieced.

AnnieO said...

Wow, what a great variety of plaid/striped brights you get down there in sunny ol'Florida. Love the new blocks, great old pattern that you are freshening up with your shirts.

Your book title worked out great! Wonderful that you get your "Unruly Quilter" in there as well. Super.

Victoria Findlay Wolfe said...

Don't stop!! Love them!!! More!!!! :-)

Sharon said...

You've been busy. Glad to see your book is in progress. I hope is has help for sizing finished letters. Mine are all so huge! Love the crown of thorns, funny how you put the traditional blocks up with your freestyle and they fit right in!

Carla said...

I love your Crown of Thorns blocks....I bet you could work some letters in there somehow!!:) Your book title is intriguing.....can't wait to see the finished product!

Diane said...

Yahooooooooooooo love the book cover! But yeah, they should be pieced, really

There can never be too many cat pictures. Will they be in the book? I love it when quilt books have cat pictures.

Teresa Rawson said...

Is that the cover of your book?!? AWESOME!!! Is there a target book release date??

Your shirt project looks fabulous!

I finally made my first Tonya words for my liberated lady top. Check 'em out at www.fabrictherapy.blogspot.com. Thanks for the inspiration!!

Love your kitties...

Teresa :o)

Kathy in FL said...

Love the crown of thorns blocks, especially the orange one. Can't wait to see more.

Kathy said...

you have fantastic shirts to work with. it is alot harder to find colorful shirts here in the mid atlantic. guess I need a road trip to florida!

shellysquilts said...

Hey Tonya, Your blocks are great! Fabulous and funky, I luv it! Have fun!

Rene' said...

Love those blocks from the shirts!! Too fun. Your sneak peek at your new book is intriguing! Can't wait!

Lee D said...

your blocks look great. still funky!

Kristin Shields said...

I love your "shirt" blocks! And that's the cover? Wow! It looks great. I really like that title!

Helen in the UK said...

The shirt blocks are great! They maybe traditionally inspired, but you are incorporating your great sense of colour and unrulyness!!
Love the top of the new book cover :)

Quiltdivajulie said...

WOO HOO ... a book cover shot!

LOVE those sherbet colored shirts ... with those colors, even I could be convinced!

Loris said...

Pokey and Lily are merely helping with the pressing :-)
Great book cover!

niftyquilts said...

I love your blocks.Even though based in tradition, they still look like yours--"unruly."

Your book is very exciting! Be sure to let me know if you're coming to Seattle to see the publisher!

Nifty Quilts said...

Oops. Wrong ID in the above comment.

Kim said...

A girls gotta do what a girls gotta do! If the spirit moves you to piece crown of thorn blocks what can you do!!!
You know you'll get the back done too

I can't wait for that book!

Happy Sewing

Sharon said...

Oh, I agree - those words need to be free-pieced!! How exciting...my mouth is watering just looking at the picture of the title of your book! And yeah, let me know if you're gonna be visiting the Northwest!

I love your Crown of Thorns blocks. They look vintage-y with the plaids, and yet, with those colors, they look so fresh! What fun...ya gotta do it when the spirit moves.

I love that last picture of Lily...she looks so alert! What a cutie. There's no such thing as too many cat pix!

Sujata Shah said...

Tonya, I am so excited about your book! Love your blocks! As traditional as they are, I still see your individual style coming through them! Love them all.

Kristin L said...

Great blocks. I really love that you're making them just a little scrappy, but not too obvious. It's a fun surprise. It's great to see progress on your book too. :-)

Barb said...

I love the plaids on those traditional blocks.
sweet kittie

Diane said...

Your new blocks are fresh and fun.

The book cover looks GREAT! The title is clever and the design is attractive and attention getting. It's kinda funny though that they missed the opportunity to employ your methods in creating the words for the title. Do they have a release date yet?

Anonymous said...

Those shirt blocks look great! So airy and summery.

And your book looks awesome. I can't wait!

-Holly

Browndirtcottage said...

Oh WOW...the book cover...clapping
clapping!!! (look Goober look...see the kitties) HA!
Your 'shirt' blocks are great...they still have a free spirit type of look!!!

Meredith said...

I like the blocks, I popped over becuase I was suprised to see them??

woolywoman said...

I think that a giant sized crown of thorns might be just the thing for this fabric I have that is difficult...patterns become traditional because they are good!

Finishing things must be in the air. I have been rolling through the half finished stuff and either putting it in the parts department or finishing it up.Kind of like spring cleaning, without having to clean anything.

A Paperback Writer said...

Recycling old clothes into quilts -- that's what my grandmothers and great-grandmothers did. (Well, that and make rag rugs out of them.)
Good for you. :)

Rosalyn Manesse said...

cute kitten photos. but I'm really excited to see the book cover.

jmb_craftypickle said...

Yeah!!! Love the new blocks and am SEW excited about the book!

YankeeQuilter said...

You get much better (for that read fun-er?) shirts down there...love the colors! The book is getting sooooo close!

Dionne said...

Ok, when, when, when is your book coming out?? Trying very hard to be patient (she says with a cheeky grin)
Cheers,
Dionne

Clare said...

The pink is heavenly and woo hoo to the book cover.

Lynda said...

The Crown of Thorns blocks look fabulous! And I'm very excited about the book!

julieQ said...

Plaids!! Three cheers for plaids in any pattern!!!

Quilts And Pieces said...

Ahhh!!!! She is as adorable and lady like as I remember! I'm so happy to see her! Especially I since I had a bad night and was just sitting here feeling sorry for myself. she made me smile!

patricia belyea said...

I like your blocks as they are almost “perfect” --but also have some spirit.

Em said...

Your LOVE blocks are like a best friend to me....think of them often and wanted to thank you for your creativity that inspires me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!