July 2003 Joyce with blocks for Wind Mills for Orange quilt and pink quilt. These were assembly line sewn at the same time.
Wind Mill – Orange with printed paisley and pepper mill fabric – Wall Hanging
Joyce’s in spare bedroom as window covering. Top 7-2003. Finished 1-2009
Wind Mill – Orange with white printed fabric of paisley and pepper mills
Detail of Wind Mill – Orange with printed fabric of paisley and pepper mills 7-12-2003
After restarting my quilt fest in 2003 and a couple of successes with triangles in the May Basket pattern, I decided to make the triangles bigger and use them as Wind Mill blocks. I pawed through the stack of fabrics that Mom had left. She had a lot of odd pieces in a variety of colors. I found a really interesting paisley print in orange hues and a white print with orange pepper mills. I remember that pepper mill print. It seems that when I was about twelve Mom made me a summer jumpsuit type outfit with this print that included shorts and a sleeveless top. It must have been pretty complicated to make and pretty odd looking judging from the look of the fabric. It is the thoughtfulness that counts. I think I wore it to one of the church picnics. Several people commented on the outfit, but probably thought it was a little odd looking with orange pepper mills. I probably never wore it again.
I had another odd halter top that I wore occasionally in the summer. The top was grey with dusty yellow big ole’ polka dots. I was and still am very modest and didn’t want anyone to see my breast. I’m sure it was cute and all, but I much preferred shirt. Now t-shirts fit my fancy just fine for after work and weekend wear.
Well I took the orange paisley and orange pepper mills and made as many wind mill block as I could, which was only five. I alternately placed them between a solid orange that I found in the same group of fabrics and then bordered it with the rest of the pepper mills fabric along with a plan white border.
I really liked this quilt which was only big enough for a wall hanging. I loaded it up with two lavers of fill to make is nice and cushy looking. I put an extra strip of fabric on the back to hold a dowel so it could be hung on the wall. It turns out I needed a covering for our basement window as I had guests stay there occasionally so I placed a yardstick in the fabric channel and hung it between two bookcases. It sure brightens up the room.
23) Wind Mill – Rose with solid polished cotton – Sofa Throw
Marilyn Dieckhoff – 2006????
Marilyn Dieckhoff’s Pink Wind Mills July 2003
Details of Marilyn Dieckhoff’s Pink Wind Mills July 2003
My good friend Marilyn from work and I shared a lot of artsy/crafty experiences. She was really good with tools, hammers, saws, pliers and the like when she repaired and dolled up antiques she found. I was better at the softer things like fabric and squishy clay. On our lunch we sometimes would shop at the local craft stores. She would be looking at flower pots she could paint and decorate, then fill with goodies to cheer up her friends. I honed into the fabric section of the store.
Right after I started my quilt sewing fest I looked diligently through the fabrics trying to match things up to use up the fabrics Mom and I had collected. It is sometimes a tedious task as amounts of fabric are limited and skills working with different patterns were also limited. I had a couple of quilt pattern books to refer to from 1976 when I first started to be interested in this hobby.
I was working with triangles as you could sew several together at a time and then just cut them apart. The patterns were easier and corners seemed to match up pretty accurately. I loved the log cabin eyelet fabric that I used for the Australian ladies. I was shiny and elegant looking. I shopped to find eyelet, but only found really poor quality that I didn’t want to even use – yet.
I found a dusty rose and mixed that with white eyelet for the triangles. I made them into windmills. I only had enough fabric for a few. I filled in between them with solid rose colored polished cotton that seemed to complement the shine of the eyelet in the windmills.
I just about had this quilt top finished when a tragedy struck my friend Marilyn’s family. We knew about each other’s children and some of their goings on. Her daughter, Leslie, was just settling down with a nice person who unfortunately decided to take his own life on one fateful day. I one moment hopes and dreams were dashed for Leslie. Marilyn was right there to comfort her in their grief.
I quickly finished the rose colored windmill quilt and gave it to Marilyn to cheer her up. I’m sure she enjoyed it and appreciated that it was one of the first ones I finished since starting this quilt fest.