Friday, July 29, 2011

Kansas Dugout Revisited

On my design floor this week:


This traditional patchwork block is called Kansas Dugout and I am re-visiting the design, and re-jigging the fabric placement of Lila's Quilt  which I made way back in 2007:


I am using templates and a rotary cutter to cut the fabrics and marking the 1/4 inch seam intersection points to show me where to start and stop sewing (I don't trace templates with pencil onto fabric first if I can avoid it).  I start by sewing each of the four patches to the center square and then deal with the four Y-seams.  Y seams or inset seams can seem intimidating, but for this particular block they are not difficult (no pins were used).


And I am using fabrics from my feedsack collection to piece the blocks.  The challenge is to mix these prints from another era with current fabrics from stash.  It is so interesting to see how readily modern fabrics integrate with prints from the 1940's and 1950's.
 .

The solid center fabric is Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton in Slate.


More blocks are needed which will keep definitely keep me entertained over the next few days.

Rita
Posted by Red Pepper Quilts - Rita Hodge
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26 comments:

  1. LindaJuly 29, 2011 9:20 PM

    I really love this design! The feedsack fabric is perfect for this. It has such a vintage feel.

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  2. twealJuly 29, 2011 9:21 PM

    I love this quilt, the colours are fab!

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  3. Die SchaubudeJuly 29, 2011 9:42 PM

    So nice...I love it ;)

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  4. AngieJuly 29, 2011 9:46 PM

    Beautiful blocks; I love the slate gray - it really makes the other fabrics pop. Can't wait to see how this turns out.

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  5. My Life In QuiltsJuly 29, 2011 9:47 PM

    This is so gorgeous! I love the slate and the way the pattern changes so much when joined together!

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  6. Jan MareeJuly 29, 2011 9:50 PM

    Very cool!

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  7. MaryJuly 29, 2011 10:40 PM

    I am finishing up a tutorial for this quilt design (or one very similar) called Road to Tennessee. No Y seams though...just snowballing 2 corners on each printed square. I love the old designs and I love that you are using them. There are so many beautiful blocks that I hope can be embraced by this generation of quilters and not get lost to history.

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  8. NancyJuly 29, 2011 11:14 PM

    That is really turning out great... and now I have to have them too LOL... Hugs!

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  9. Side StitchesJuly 29, 2011 11:33 PM

    The design looks so different when you don't make all the "circles" with the same fabric. Your eye moves in a completely different way and it looks like a totally new pattern! Your fabric choices are great!

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  10. Lyanna L.July 29, 2011 11:34 PM

    loving this design (especially the use of slate as the little squares) -- if only y seams weren't so intimidating! =)

    Lyanna

    PS - love your blog!

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  11. JenniferJuly 30, 2011 12:25 AM

    so pretty.

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  12. Darlene Barnes RosnerJuly 30, 2011 12:44 AM

    Rita, I love this, I really do. But it looks hard.... is there a tutorial?? And I love, love the fabrics - I have always adored your modern-take on vintage style fabrics and colors...

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  13. Julie Hirt - 627handworksJuly 30, 2011 12:58 AM

    I just finished a quilt using that pattern but didn't know what it was called! I live in Kansas so it's kind of sweet knowing that's the pattern name :)

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  14. modernamishplainJuly 30, 2011 1:14 AM

    Oooh, I didn't know you had a feedsack stash. I love the choice in slate, its slightly blue hue coordinates well with the various blues. Looking forward to your finished quilt...will this be a new pattern? Y seams are intimidating to me.

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  15. SarahJuly 30, 2011 2:54 AM

    it's a beauty!

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  16. JanJuly 30, 2011 3:27 AM

    Such a great pattern, and you always do such wonderful things with any design you tackle. It looks so nice to see the one square instead of four triangles coming together. Love it!

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  17. Rachel at Stitched in ColorJuly 30, 2011 4:41 AM

    I have never sewn y-seams, so this is one I'd need to see to understand. But, it really is a lovely block style. The solid you chose really sets off those prints so well!

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  18. CamilleJuly 30, 2011 4:50 AM

    So beautiful! I love feedsacks but never thought to use them in a quilt.

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  19. SarahZJuly 30, 2011 9:27 AM

    Very clean colors...the slate offsets the whites in the prints very nicely :)

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  20. Quilts on BastingsJuly 30, 2011 2:29 PM

    So pretty!

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  21. Mary MarcotteJuly 30, 2011 3:05 PM

    Beautiful. I really like the last design even though it means a little extra work with the Y seams. Really nice!

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  22. NickyJuly 30, 2011 8:36 PM

    Love these little octagons - am working on some big brothers to these with my castle wall blocks. What fun! Great vintage look in your fabrics as you say the new fabrics mix in well!

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  23. SharonJuly 31, 2011 8:17 AM

    SEW beautiful.
    The quilt made with the slate grey center makes for a wonderful color pattern. Great use of solid color as a focal point.

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  24. Michelle @ the quilted tortoiseJuly 31, 2011 8:21 AM

    LOVE the Kona slate!

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  25. AnnaJuly 31, 2011 1:07 PM

    rita! i love this! I just saw a pillow with a similar design printed on it and was thinking it would be so fun to make something similar. Thank you for referring to the block name since there's no way I'd be able to figure out a block like that. :)

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  26. leanneAugust 05, 2011 4:34 PM

    love the slate squares - really makes the blocks pop - loving it :)

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