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Around the World Quilt — Beginning

Posted on May 19, 2014July 27, 2015 by Martha

All of the Around the World pieces needed to be taken apart and recut. The original quilter’s template was a little off, so the fan units did not form a 90º angle. I drafted a pattern which would allow for the largest wedge-shaped piece I could get away with (because vintage fabric is precious). These pieces were all cut from 1940s and 50s percales (no feedsack), and most of them are cut at odd angles — probably just any old way she could get the most wedges out of a fabric scrap. Spray starch helps when cutting bias pieces — I use lots of spray starch.

Here I have finished drawing around the new template and trimming the 540 original pieces (only a few were stained and had to be discarded).

Around-the-World-pieces-1

Next, I needed to cut 324 more wedges from my own vintage prints, because I want to make a larger quilt than the original quilter had in mind. Fortunately, I had two big pieces of yellow and green vintage percale that matched the solid colors in the original blocks.

Around-the-World-pieces-2

Here are the first four blocks, which I stitched together by machine. Because there are lots of bias edges in these blocks, it helps to cut the sashing on the straight grain, which keeps the blocks from stretching. My plan was to add half blocks around the outside edge, to mimic the original quilt pattern, but now I’m thinking that I like it the way it is. The center of the quilt will still have the look of the original Around the World blocks, but the yellow sashing will be on the edges.  What do you think?

Around-the-World---4-blocks

19 thoughts on “Around the World Quilt — Beginning”

  1. Monica says:
    May 19, 2014 at 5:33 pm

    I love it and can’t wait to see the finished quilt!

    Reply
  2. Joyce Carter says:
    May 19, 2014 at 6:12 pm

    Oh, Martha! It is really lovely. It looks just the way I would have done it. And it looks like there wasn’t a whole lot of waste when you re-cut the pieces either. I love the green. The yellow looks really great, too, with all the beautiful colors in the arcs. I think it will be just gorgeous when you finish it. Have a wonderful week.

    Reply
  3. Chris Jurd says:
    May 19, 2014 at 6:58 pm

    Perfect! And to have all those little pieces to play with – joy.

    Reply
  4. Virginia says:
    May 19, 2014 at 7:28 pm

    Perfect!!!!

    Reply
  5. Steffi says:
    May 20, 2014 at 1:01 am

    Looks like a lot of work to recut all those pieces, but so worth it. This quilt is going to be beautiful!
    I don’t know which layout I would like better – they are both nice.

    Reply
  6. Tina says:
    May 20, 2014 at 5:24 am

    I love how bright the percales look through the “window” of the sashing!

    Reply
  7. Jessie @ Messyjesse says:
    May 20, 2014 at 8:42 am

    Fabulous work Martha, you’ve re-trimmed all those pieces without barely any waste! I adore the sunshine yellow and green sashing. I love it as is. Enjoy the creative process.

    Reply
  8. Sarah says:
    May 20, 2014 at 9:56 am

    It definitely was the right plan to let you have that project. 🙂

    Reply
  9. Mickie says:
    May 21, 2014 at 9:50 am

    looks wonderful Martha! No one can say you don’t use every bit of your fabric!! Love the chards 🙂
    It looks great so far!!! 🙂
    Mickie

    Reply
  10. Pat says:
    May 21, 2014 at 10:51 am

    Found your blog through Google Images, I was actually searching for a Wilendur tablecloth pattern, not sure why your pics showed up, but I’m glad! I am a huge, huge fan of 1930s and 40s quilts and have many pieces of fabric and quilt tops. I will be a regular visitor here!

    Reply
  11. wanetha says:
    May 22, 2014 at 7:28 am

    Beautiful!

    Reply
  12. Karen Bordner says:
    May 23, 2014 at 5:17 am

    Beautiful. Feels like we’re looking in a window.

    PS You are the most patient woman I know.

    Reply
  13. Nancy Rembert says:
    May 23, 2014 at 9:11 am

    The woman who started this project is looking down with satisfaction, saying, “Now, that’s what I was trying to do!” It looks fantastic.

    Reply
  14. Bonnie Sue says:
    May 23, 2014 at 7:15 pm

    Love, Love, Love, it!! Looks really beautiful, I have all kinds of scraps of 30’s and 40’s fabric, can’t wait to try this pattern.. Yours is really nice, I love your blog and visit it all the time.

    Reply
  15. Pratima says:
    May 27, 2014 at 2:02 pm

    Your blocks are beautiful with perfect punch of solids and prints together. I came across a vintage quilt sometime back and instantly loved this block! Your quilt is going to be amazing!

    Reply
  16. Charise says:
    June 2, 2014 at 3:33 pm

    I love what you did with the original! The yellow sashing is perfect!

    Reply
  17. Sarah says:
    June 27, 2014 at 1:32 am

    Such a lot of work taking apart all of those pieces, but the result is so worth it! Beautiful, and the fabrics are just amazing!

    Reply
  18. Roxanne says:
    July 6, 2014 at 10:55 am

    I have come back to this quilt several times and talked about it with some of my quilting friends. I agree with other comments about what you are preserving here and the beauty of your work–it is thought provoking. Thank you!

    Reply
  19. Kathy Timmons says:
    August 8, 2014 at 12:08 pm

    These are really beautiful. I have many arc’s and other pieces that my grandmother left. I love this pattern and I tink she would approve. I also love the tulip pattern and it will be used also. Thank you so much!

    Kathy in Nashville

    Reply

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