Farmers Wife Quilt

[karen f.]

Hello there~

I was just curious if anyone else here was working on this lovely quilt? I know we have a separate area for Dear Jane fans, and wondered about a similar folder for FW disciples...

I found the book in one of the most adorable quilt stores in the country, Cabin Arts in Burlington KY, and immediately fell in love with the quilt. I have the DJ book, which was given to me, but amazing as I think it is, I just never got into myself. Farmers Wife has really got me excited. I am waiting some last supplies and looking forward to starting! I am working it in mostly shabby chic fabrics, a la Faded Memories from Three Sisters/Moda.

http://thefarmerswifequilt.com/

[Margo C.]

April, I think that TQS member community/my-profile/tigsowner is currently hand piecing a FW!

You might want to send her a PM or e-mail.

[Margo C.]

Oh April - that is really nice. Is it a hand piecing project like Margo is talking about or it is doable by machine? How are you doing yours?

I may need some more info on this..... :wink:

Kathy

[Margo C.]

Thank you, Margo.

Kathy, it can be sewn either way very nicely, from what I'm seeing. About two-thirds of the people I know of so far are using their machines, including myself. This is my new lunchtime sewing project, and I brought in my Singer 301 so I could have the pleasure of sewing an old-timey sort of quilt on an old machine. I will be using freezer paper for most of the blocks. One of the instructors at a LQS is doing it by hand though.

There is a Yahoo Group for this quilt, and someone there has done .pdf's containing printable patterns for each block. I'll be running my freezer paper through a borrowed inkjet printer. The CD that comes with the book probably works better with EQ, which I don't have, so I am glad to have the other templates to work with. The book's diagrams do not include measurements at all. :?

[Margo C.]

So basically you are paper piecing yours because there are no sizes to cut the pieces, right? Or did I misunderstand that? I think that's how the Dear Jane blocks are done, too? (The book and CD of which I own but have not had time to start yet so I have forgotten.)

Kathy

[Margo C.]

Yes, Kathy, that is it exactly! Although, some of the blocks are complex enough that I would probably PP anyway just for the sake of precision. I have only PP'd here or there so am very rusty. I trotted out my Carol Doak DVD this week for a refresh course.

[Margo C.]

Good luck, April. I have paper pieced a time or two just by trial and error. I have never seen Carol Doak's video but I think I have one of her books in my small "library."

For some reason when I randomly placed the fabric just using an oversized scrap and not taking into consideration grain lines, etc., I had success and it that block was a piece of cake. Another time when I cut the fabric nearly to size like the book (not sure which book now) said, using what is called "the right way", that block turned out horrible. Go figure! I have not had the opportunity to try paper piecing since then. Not sure which way I will do it in the future - at random or cut to size with grain considerations, etc. Which way do you do it? (If this makes sense the way I have explained it.) Any paper piecing experts can jump right in here since I would like to know how it's supposed to be done vs. how it is really done.

Kathy

[Margo C.]

No opinion on paper piecing. I've done it but have yet to find pleasure in it so I avoid it like the plague.

April--Kudoos to you for having found a lunch time project.

[Annis C.]

I cut mine to size adding about 3/8" seam allowance. For odd shapes I make a freezer paper template, place it on the fabric and add seam allowances. Lately I've started using full sheet adhesive labels to print my blocks on, cut out the pieces, and place the labels on the fabric leaving space for seam allowances and cutting up to 4 layers at a time. I piece with the fabric on top of the paper instead of underneath so I can always see what I am doing. If you place the fabric under the paper you might want to add 1/2" seam allowances instead. I've been doing it this way for 6 years and seldom have had a piece that didn't fit. I don't think there is any particular way it is supposed to be done. Just whatever works for you. I do have Carol Doak's video and have taken a class from her but I seldom use her paper piecing method.

[Annis C.]

Preview: Re: Farmers Wife Quilt
Good morning, Just this past weekend I found 2 sites that are now in Week 5 of the Farmers Wife Quilt-a-long. It looks very interesting, and in fact I have been two of the LQS in my area, trying to find the book (and use my coupon). Here are the links:

http://msmcporkchopquilts.com/
http://fussycut.blogspot.com/p/shop.html

Have fun, ( I know I will !)

Kathy in Ca

[Annis C.]

I started Farmer's Wife, but have stalled out. I bought the companion CD for EQ and have printed out paper piecing guides. I personally love Carol Doak's method of paper piecing, but to each their own ways! HMMM, good idea about using a vintage machine...perhaps this could be a good project for my Featherweight!

Maggie in E. Central Illinois

[Annis C.]

Thank you for the good wishes, Kathy and Agnes! :mrgreen:

I'm really enjoying hearing about other piecing techniques!

[fiona j.]

Hi April,

Margo's right that I was handpiecing the FW but I'm afraid as it's just for me that it's sitting firmly on the backburner! Too many swaps and life have got in the way but I am determined to start again this autumn!
Best wishes,

fiona.

[fiona j.]

FARMER'S WIFE QUILT is the hottest thing on the internet.... there are bloggers all over posting their results... there are FW quilt alongs all over the internet. ...... I will post links when I find them again.....

Lady Rags

[Margo C.]

Here is just a sampling of some FW links:


http://thefarmerswifequilt.com/

http://www.quiltdad.com/2011/06/farm...ilt-along.html

http://www.google.com/search?q=farme...p;ved=0CE0QsAQ

http://fatquarterly.com/community-ne...ilt-along.html

http://quilting.craftgossip.com/week...ng/2011/06/10/

http://www.genxquilters.com/2011/06/...ay-update.html

http://www.electricquilt.com/Support...armerswife.asp