tiny happy

making journal

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‘tiny happy’ was a journal of my handmade life from 2006-2025.

piece by piece

August 1, 2014

I've always loved quilts and patchwork (my Mum is a quiltmaker and I own some really beautiful examples of her intricate work) but for some reason I've never been tempted to make a traditional quilt myself.

I was thinking about this a while ago and realised that the aspects of textile craft that I truly love are: utility, colour, recycling and the soft, tactile nature of good (new or used) fabric.

But these are elements inherent in traditional patchwork/quilting (at least, what is in my mind the 'old-style' version of the craft, where textiles would be re-used and displayed in a creative manner to make unique bedding.)

Here is another confession: I don't like to use rotary cutters and a mat. My cutter slightly scares me and I never seem to put the mat away in an appropriate place so it's been buckled by the sun. And rulers aren't really my thing. This has always put me off from doing 'proper' patchwork. Not any more. I'm just going to do it anyway. (Sorry if this makes you cringe and roll your eyes, quilters!)

It wasn't until meeting and chatting with Felicia last year at TCS that I realised I wasn't alone. She has written an amazing three-part series around this topic.

The other thing I did a while ago was look up 'Gee's Bend quilts' on Pinterest and that's what got me started on this red and blue patchwork. All the blocks are made from worn shirts and/or other cotton clothing (like the starry quilt in my book) The white cotton was a lovely big sheet that got caught on a rose bush near the washing line, so I'm pleased to be able to repurpose it.

I've made this pinterest board for inspiration: Piece by Piece.

Posted in Uncategorized

24 responses to “piece by piece”

Gill Weavers

August 1, 2014

I love those little blocks, they look like pieces of hanky or old shirts… Which reminded me how I still want to make a quilt from my late Father’s shirts. This type of example looks perfect xx

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Adrianne

August 1, 2014

Your quilt start looks lovely – and the use of recycled materials in quilts is definitely coming back, although new commercial prints still dominate. Be warned – quilting is super addictive! 😀
Personally I’m of the view that there are very few rights and wrongs in quilting – as long as you sew all your pieces together and there aren’t any holes, you’ve successfully made a quilt top. It’s the quilt police who insist that everything must be done in a certain way who take the fun out of quilting, and thankfully they seem to be few and far between these days. I suspect you have enough sewing experience to deal with the slight lack of flatness that may result from your no-rulers approach, but I guess it’s the one trap for young players that could catch a new sewist making a quilt like this for the first time.

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tinyhappy

August 1, 2014

thanks adrianne, some great advice here, esp. regarding the flatness or otherwise of scissor-cut pieces. i really admire your beautiful work and i know that theres a spirit of anything goes coming back into the craft now, as indeed there is with most crafts. i should have mentioned that my mum ran a quilting shop from our house when i was growing up. i still remember the passionate quilters coming to buy things and bringing them cups of tea : )

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Francesca

August 1, 2014

Melissa, we must be going through exactly the same (quilting) stage in (crafting) life: I too have just come to that “I’m going to do it anyway” moment!
Thanks for the links, and happy quilting 🙂

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Janet clare

August 1, 2014

You are completely right about patchwork and I agree with you. Also, you’ve got to enjoy the process of a craft or there is no point to it at all- so enjoy making your quilt, it’s going to be beautiful!

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Annabella

August 1, 2014

I bought a rotary cutter and a mat a while ago. I absolutely hated using the cutter, it seemed so dangerous and unruly the way it rolled around all over the place. And my cutting mat buckled in the sun, too. I am relieved to hear that I’m not alone! These days I’m back on the floor cutting with scissors and it’s so much more comfortable for me. Also – I made a big queen sized quilt before I even knew about rotary cutters, and it turned out really well, if a little unique in places. It can be done!

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Ella

August 1, 2014

You’re not alone. I become paralysed with fear worrying about the possibility (ie 100% likelihood) that my corners won’t line up. And then I remember I’m hardly going to be taken to task by the International Court of Quilts, and I relax a little (line totally stolen from Nigella Lawson and shamelessly bastardised). Also I prefer things to look like they were made by humans, perfection is so boring.

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Ruth

August 1, 2014

It’s going to be fabulous.

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Sera

August 1, 2014

How gorgeous! One day I would like to make a quilt like that, using old bits and pieces. I love your inspiration board too – your pinterest boards are always inspiring to me 🙂
Sera

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Laura

August 2, 2014

Love your repurposed shirt blicks. I really like to quilt like that too. The thing with quilting isito know the rules and then you know how to break them. A fudge here and there is fine! What’s important is to express the beauty of moments through utility, just like the Gee’s Bend quilts. I love your work

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lori

August 2, 2014

I am loving making quilts now since I let go of what I thought quilting was supposed to be like. I figure out the quilt as I go along…I guess it could be called free-form quilting. -wink-
People are even buying them and I am getting caught up on bills….so my thinking must be right! 🙂
I love your quilt!

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Ginny

August 2, 2014

I know what you mean about rotary cutters. I have one, but sliced my finger a few days ago, so went back to the faithful old scissors.

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Zena

August 2, 2014

I can’t seem to use my rotary cutters! I have only made a quilted mat and sewing machine cover but the links to your friends 3 part series is so inspiring. I know I will be making a quilt for my son very soon.

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louana

August 2, 2014

There is a new recycled clothing store nearby and they have no racks, just great huge piles of clothes sorted into styles, shirts, skirts, dresses etc. I keep rummaging through the men’s shirt pile finding all sorts of great patterns for such a quilt. It’s SO much fun! I love the start of your quilt! xxx

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tea with lucy

August 2, 2014

I love your choice of colours and patterns melissa!
My mum is a passionate quilter too. I always put an order in with her when i’m in need of something for the kid’s. here is a link with a glimpse of one of my favourites she made from my husband’s old business shirts which had got a bit worn around the collar.
http://teawithlucy.blogspot.com.au/2010/11/swim.html
rachel xo

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Jennifer Lin

August 2, 2014

Ooh. Love log cabins. Have one which is WIP/UFO….Yes. Agree with the rest – Refused to use rotary cutter coz it looked too scary…

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Imogen Eve

August 3, 2014

Gorgeous. Tartans always make me a happy.
Like you, my mum’s a quilter. And she’s meticulous, mathematical perfectionism. Terrifies me. I think it’s all the straight lines on the sewing machine (and matching corners) that really get me worried. I personally prefer slow hand stitched paper templates, they have a little more give.

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tinyhappy

August 4, 2014

thanks imogen- me too! : )

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tinyhappy

August 4, 2014

thank you rachel, and for that link- just beautiful!! x

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Mali

August 6, 2014

It looks so soft and cosy already! Surely the most important attribute of any quilt (with added memories when reusing tired clothes) 🙂 Thanks for this – it’s refreshing to hear from a ‘proper’ crafter (published and everything!). I sometimes feel intimidated by perfect quilts and think I should aspire to them, but I just don’t. I admire them but have no wish to make them… I felt much the same when I got to the foot of the high himalaya and looked up! Hats off to those that make the climb, nothing in me wants to 🙂 My quilts are wonky but full of love & memories. They are fun to make, not an exam!

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Denise | Chez Danisse

August 8, 2014

“I’m just going to do it anyway.” — Cheers!

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Michele C

August 9, 2014

Love the soft textures of your fabrics. You’ll have to read this blog post by Cozy Made Things who spontaneously set out to hand piece and quilt a huge 2″ square scrappy quilt, and she did. http://cozymadethings.blogspot.com/2014/06/miss-scarlet.html

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Mousy Brown

August 18, 2014

I spent years not making quilts because “I didn’t know how to…” and then like you just got started and did my own thing…old sheets, my boys PJ’s, table cloths and tray cloths all now get cuddled up in the form of quilts here now…just have fun and I’m sure they will be beautiful! 🙂

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Sarah

September 6, 2014

If you want to see some really traditional quilts that weren’t made with a ruler or a rotary wheel, google “Gee’s Bend” quilts. These were made by African American women, and are truly amazing, but I don’t think there’s a straight line in any of them!

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