Last year I mentioned in a post that I was thinking of selling kits to make doll quilts with vintage fabric, and talked about what the kits would include. Several readers commented that my plans seemed overly elaborate (with pre-cut blocks and a sample block). Let me just say right now that everyone who said that was so right.
I have spent the past two days selecting, pressing and cutting the 42 8-piece blocks for this quilt, a scrappy Rob Peter to Pay Paul variation of the Drunkard’s Path pattern, which finishes about 19″ x 22″. Although I went through the process just the way I always do, it was pretty surprising to me how much time I actually spent on these tasks. Some readers suggested, in an effort to increase cost effectiveness, that I only provide the fabric and templates, but that’s tricky when you’re dealing with odd-sized vintage scraps and quilt pieces. Another issue was the challenging pattern with all those curves in the tiny 2 1/2″ blocks and the 1/8″ seams, which would probably only appeal to more advanced sewers or quilters. Long story short, I decided that this is the one and only kit of this pattern I will ever put together, and I am just hoping there is someone out there who would actually be interested in making it.
There are 42 cut blocks plus two extra (just in case, but not included in the photo — sorry). These fabrics are vintage 1930s/40s tightly woven cottons (no feedsacks) in small prints, and I included some cute novelties. Each block is composed of two prints (a few have one solid fabric) and I have matched up the prints that I thought looked cute and provided enough contrast, although you could certainly make changes. I have included a sample block for reference, and a piece of blue vintage fabric for the borders. I didn’t bother to include any instructions, because I’m never going to do this again, and I figured any quilter who could actually put this together wouldn’t need instructions from me.
If you are interested in making this RPTPP doll quilt, please leave a comment on this post letting me know, even if it’s only to say “I told you so.” If there is more than one interested party, I will select a winner on Sunday, Jan 15.
The cut pieces below are 1 5/8″ on the longer sides.
A photo of the second doll quilt in this pattern that I made a few years ago.
That is adorable!!! Someone will have a lot of fun with that kit!
You are so amazing: I can’t believe you cut out all these wonderful tiny pieces from so many different fabrics for a kit!
The doll quilt you made in this pattern is so sweet and there’s so much to look at its mind-boggling.
Oh Martha! I am sorry you realized it was a battle you wouldn’t win. I hate those experiences.
This kit is so cute, I would love to finish it. Am doing a lot of traveling now, my mother in Florida is struggling with dementia and I have been flying from the west coast every month to help her. Could use a little hand project to make my airport time go by quicker. Whoever receives this will appreciate all your hand work.
OMGoodness, I am surprised that after all of your work you are not going to stitch it yourself! My fingers are just itching to hand stitch your lovely pieces. It would be perfect to take while I wait for Little Miss’ physical therapy. Wow!
Love it! Your work will be GREATLY appreciated by whoever gets this precious kit!
I’m not going to make this (you know that!) but the fabrics you chose are absolutely beautiful. (And I have to say your definitive ‘I am never doing this again’ made me laugh – I have had many, many moments like that.) I’m sure you’re going to hit on the product that’s going to be the right balance.
You had an idea and you tried. I do think they would sell. That’s just my opinion. Coming from someone who loves vintage fabric and hand piecing. I had a I will never do this again situation myself last year. YUCK.
What sweet fabrics….I love vintage fabrics too! I would love to put this together!
Brenda…the Farmer’s Dotter
What a perfect little handpiecing project that would be! The doll quilt is so sweet. 🙂
I’d love to be entered in for a chance to win it! Thank you.
Martha, you have such a gift for color arranging! I doubt that I would have the patience to do it, but whoever receives it will have a treasure!
It’s beautiful Martha and I would love to sew it together. I know exactly how much work you put into it because I hand piece just about everything. I used to cut one block at a time, but now I prep a few so I can take them with me to my daughter’s activities so I can sew while I wait for them. Cutting out is hard work.
I’m thinking of doing a handpieced sampler quilt-a-long on my block (choose your own colours and fabrics) just to celebrate hand piecing. Intersted in joining in? This is one of the blocks I was planning to put in it:)
Ooooohh!! Your doll quilt kit idea was what hooked me for life. Of course I’ve loved every single thing since then but that was the moment I added you to my favorites and became a “regular”.
Renee Wheeler
Austin, TX
WOW Martha – that is so much work! I wouldn’t put it together myself, my clumsy hands would never be able to do it, but it is lovely. And good for you on giving the idea a try, you’d never know otherwise!
Sorry just to be clear Martha I am not asking to be added to the give away. I just wanted to comment on how nice the quilt kits look.
These vintage fabrics are a real treasure! My first grandchild turned 1 over Christmas. I made her a doll and we found a wonderful wooden doll crib at the recycle store. The doll quilt would be fun to make for her doll crib. I’d wait a bit to give to her to insure she know what a treasure this is! You have put some much care in this!
I love your idea of the mini kits.As i enjoy making doll quilts could you please think about making some in easier designs?That way it would be less work for you and we could still have the opportunity of working with vintage fabrics which are becoming harder to find in the UK.
Please don’t include me in the drawing. I just wanted to say you are a very generous person! Someone will really appreciate it.
Martha,I am a faithful follower of yours, and I love everything that you do. I really love this quilt kit. I think making these kits was a great idea. I’m sorry it didn’t work out for you. Please include me in your giveaway. I love vintage fabrics so this would be something very special to have. Thank you so much!
Martha- the colors in this little quilt are beautiful. I would consider it an honor to put this quilt together. I am a big fan of yours and would love to have a little piece of Martha to treasure in my quilt collection. Thanks for including me in your giveaway!
I try never to say I told you so…..In this case, I really dind’t say it:)
The kit is so cute and I’d lvoe to make this!
Can you tell me where you got your little bags for the pieces? They are perfect for storing the cut pieces for the little house blocks I am making.
Martha, i LOVE your little doll quilt..it’s adorable!! lucky Lori for winning the vintage doll quilt kit!
Your quilt kit has such cute fabrics! I love the version you made.
I like the idea of a quilt kit. Maybe you could find patterns that could be rotary cut if you want to revisit the idea in the future?
Congrats to the lucky winner!