Customizing the Center Block

[Jill B.]

I'm fairly certain that I picked up some Dutch style fq's also at the Quilt Museum that would work well. After that perhaps fabrics by French General? If you get a floral fabric that has a cream background that tones with your background square that would work pretty well.

[Judy S.]

Ever since I saw this year's TQS Rajah Quilt I have been pondering ideas for customizing the center block. Not that there aren't challenges -- the center is an unusual size, the finished size of the center is 13 1/2 inches (14 inches unfinished). Here are some of my ideas:

Rajah Quilt theme
1) The RAJAH was a barque - a sailing ship with 3 masts. Fortunately, Sue Garman has a Baltimore-style block with a barque in her Ladies of the Sea Quilt (Block 2 - The Alyssa -- single blocks are available for purchase) that would require customizing for size and theme and is available here:
http://www.comequilt.com/.../Ladies-of-the-Sea/.../Ladies-of-the-Sea--Complete-Pattern-Set-x1942553.htm
2) Ink, print or embroider the original label.
http://nga.gov.au/rajahquilt
3) A pieced block -- signifying a journey e.g. mariner's compass
4) Broderie Perse applique with a modern print. My favorite book on Broderie Perse applique is Love to Quilt...Broderie Perse: The Elegant Quilt Paperback – March, 1997 by Barbara Barber (unfortunately $50 on Amazon but it may be available from your guild or local library)

TQS theme (consider revisiting a favorite TQS BOM)
1) The original TQS BOM Bouquets for a New Day by Sue Garman featured the TQS star in the background
www.comequilt.com/.../Bouquets-for-a-New-Day/.../Bouquets-for-a-New-Day-Complete-Pattern-Set-x1896146.htm
2) The T, Q, S blocks from Janet Stone's 2014 BOM (if you have them, I do not know if they are available for purchase) could be arranged as a center block.

On Monday's show (Ep 1801), the write-up indicates Lessa will have ideas for customizing the center block.

Block 1 is available for download now with an extra page on the history surrounding the quilt (it looks like that will be a feature every month).

[Judy S.]

Or you could use this period reproduction from the Quilt Museum shop in UK http://www.quiltmuseumshop.org.uk/pr...z_Fabric_Panel it measures 13" so it would probably need a narrow border put around it to bring it to size

Actually this is a great idea as I already have one in my stash waiting for the right project to come along B)

[Gayle L.]

I have downloaded the first month info. I want to make the original block design and was wondering if there will be any further info, e.g break out of design pieces, number to cut, etc?

[Gayle L.]

Since I first saw this BOM, I've also wondered if I would customize the center block. No, I'm not sure, but I do have a fairly big feathered star that might fit. I'll have to check on the size.

[Jeanne A.]

I would also like to know the finished size of the center block as I would customize it as well.
Is anyone sure of the size?

[Deborah W.]

[hide]Great suggestions for the centre block. I would like to find a piece of chintz (as Rosemary suggested) that could be used for the centre block. Not sure where I will find it but now I have a reason to go to quilt shops .[/hide]

[Lorna B.]

Great ideas! I like that a little history is included with the instructions. It looks like the center block is 13 1/2 by 13 1/2. That is on Block 1's instructions. Interesting that the original was broderie perse. I wonder where else we can find the period chintz. I need to go search the internet.

I also like how she references back to techniques learned in earlier BOMs. She mentions a technique that Sue Nickels did. Kathy Stone also used to mention all the time that she learned such and such from SHow # xxx or something Ricky demo'd. Cool!

[Judy S.]

From Episode 1801, Lessa Siegele had more ideas for customizing the quilt.

The discussion with Lessa and Alex on customizing the center block starts at minute 12:30.

1) Custom/commercial applique design: there is a beautiful block by one of Lessa’s students done in batiks
2) Embroidery – use either an embroidery block or heirloom embroidered piece
3) Use one piece of fabric: there is a picture of a modern fabric used. Rosemary in post # 134960 suggested a reproduction block, circa 1820-1840. http://www.quiltmuseumshop.org.uk/product/1116/Vintage_Chintz_Fabric_Panel
4) Combine applique elements from the pattern with broderie perse applique: in the example, a pansy fabric was used
5) Personalize the quilt. Alex’s idea was to honor her grandpa’s cherry orchard
6) Orphan block: a pieced or applique block from a class you haven't used
7) Machine embroidered applique block. I am especially fond of Smith Street Designs.
http://smithstreetdesigns.com

I look forward to seeing what everyone decides to do.

[Gayle L.]

Yes, I saw that segment. I was wondering if we were going to be given a split out appliqué pattern.

[Judy S.]

My guess is no -- there won't be a split out of the applique pattern beyond what we've been given. You might want to ask that question in the comments with the pattern to see if there will be more information forthcoming.

[Judy S.]

I thought to add some more info on customizing the center block. If your design, doesn't fit the dimensions of the center of the Rajah quilt you can add floaters to get to the right size. The finished size of the center block of the Rajah Quilt Revisited is 13 1/2" by 13 1/2".

Of course, TQS has some great information on how to do floaters. My first recommendation is to watch Sue Garman's lessons on floaters from 2009.
June has the basics of floaters. July at minute 4:45 has more design considerations for floaters. "All 12 videos are here in one place. Click on the Playlist indicator on the top left of the screen to select the video you want to watch." The playlist indicator is just to left of the 1/12 at the top of video screen. If you don't see that header, wiggle your mouse and it will come up.

https://thequiltshow.com/component/allvideoshare/video/bom-2009-sue-garman-sue-garman-tips-for-bom-2009

Episode 1801 with Lessa has tips for adding a narrow strip around a block. This discussion with Ricky starts at minute 28:00.

https://thequiltshow.com/component/allvideoshare/video/show-1801-piecing-perfection-from-the-bom-designer

[Jill B.]

Good idea with Sue Garman block, who does not love that lady and her work, would have to be my all time favourite, now one does patterns like Sue I say.

[Judy S.]

So I've been whipping right along on month 2, I've already finished my 36 diamond in a square units, I thought I would give a progress report on month 1.

I decided to use Sue Garman's block the Elyssa from Ladies of the Sea. The original block was surrounded by Texas bluebonnets which was not in keeping with The Rajah. It took me a while to figure out what to put instead but I settled on the Scottish Thistle since the ship's captain was Scottish and the quilt was rediscovered in Scotland in 1987. I couldn't find a pattern, so I drew it (a first for me).



Along the way, I've discovered I must not like purple. I went stash shopping and could only come up a few purple fabrics and no 2 worked together and worked with my other fabric choices for the quilt. So it was off to the local quilt shop (local being relative since it is over an hour from my house), after shopping for over an hour I finally settled on 2 fabrics but I knew I wasn't happy with my choices. After much futzing, I did manage to settle on a fabric combination I liked. :woohoo:

Then I had to figure out templates, make bias binding, and am currently glue turning the edges (30 pieces down, 40+ to go). After than there's hand applique, embroidery and inking. Since applique is on the agenda for next month I am really going to try to get this done this month.

[BARBARA S.]

Wow. This is going to be a fabulous medallion! I have a packet of 5" squares of 19th c repros in every shade of purple. No idea where or why I acquired it. By now you will have found that perfect purple, but it made me wish I could drop it off at a guild meeting or bee! Thanks for sharing your discoveries about the history of the Rajah as well.