Sarah Sporrer Vintage Quilt Designs

Welcome Summer! Midsummer, called Litha on the pagan calendar. A candle lit, some beach treasures set out---to welcome the good days ahead. 

                                        

I wonder what those ancient folks thought, still cold, but long evenings, let's celebrate! And then, too soon, the days are shorter again. 

Anyway, today is lovely, mid-60s, windy, sunny. I am supervising the installation of my new white canvas windscreens, much lamented since their removal in February when a new railing had to be installed. I missed their aesthetic value but was surprised that the wind and blowing sand has been much worse without them. Not just for pretty and privacy after all.

                                         

...............................

Last week on eBay I found a nice set of c.1998 Sarah Sporrer pattern cards.

Aren't they so cute.

The seller had 8 cards,  I already have 2 more---the bee and the garden.

I also have a S Sporer book with some fun ideas. Must do Friends, and yes, another giraffe.

Love this blurry but sweet jar of marbles, how fun!

And Dish Ran away with the Spoon.

Look, in the eBay batch! --- a Pineapple, and a pumpkin full of sunflowers...

A white pitcher of Tulips, so Lizzy.

I had so much fun making Year in the Country here that I want to make another Sarah Sporrer quilt project, using an idea I saw to set the blocks in striped ticking and ecru rough linen. 

The patterns may seem to be just greeting cards, but there's an insert with detailed directions, plus a full sized layout page.  The design are very large, about 15" x 18", must resize smaller. Love the free and easy bumblebee's flight quilting and often raw edge applique. Sporrer's work is even more primitive than Jan Patek's, who does needle turn, or Cheri Payne's, who did whipstitch. Of course one could switch to all needleturn and no dark over dye, there's no quilt police in my world.

Beautifully done for 4.00 originally and 4.oo now on eBay. The seller was very gracious and adjusted the postage too.

There's also detailed tea and coffee dye instructions, dated 1998. This method is often attributed on FB Groups to various quilt designers, looks like it is not such a new idea after all. I may, or may not do this, as it does leave an odor and I don't care for that.

This project may reference the months and seasons but will not be a month by month "Year". If I end up with ten blocks---or 4 or 14, that's fine too.

In my research I find no history or current info for Sarah Sporrer. I wish I knew more about her. I remember when my dad and I used to go the quilt shop on Cape Cod every summer. One year they had a block of the month of Sporrer's designs, all of them beachy and nautical--lighthouses and seagulls in yellow fisherman boots, etc. My dad was a design snob and always said a sewer should make their own patterns, so I never bought that set. How I wish I had done so. Have never found any blocks to buy since.

..............................................

I started my TQC Slow Stitching handpieced little project. It is quite lovely to sew these tiny squares [2" sewed], the result is much softer to the touch that machine pieced sewing. The stitching is similar to my hand quilting which I always enjoy. 

The next batch looks harder, miniscule HSTs, etc.Here is Penny's sweet selection.

............................

Cartwheels top is finished and pressed. The backing needs to be pieced. My work in it was interrupted as I tried making a beach blanket for a little beach girl's end of school year gift. A mermaid panel and Minky, ugh. I struggled with the minky plush. I expected it to stretch a lot and instead it shrank! The cotton top was incompatible and bubbled up. Bin time. I knew better, but my quilter didn't seem like she'd do it, so I tried. Nothing ventured etc.

have a great weekend!

love

lizzy

gone to the beach...

We are seeing the lovely blues of summer now--- hydrangeas beginning to bloom....

Clamshell garden edges and dark red roses, too.