Saturday, November 06, 2010

Back in the Saddle Again

 The other day I just sat down in front of the machine and sewed.  It felt good to pick up a project and work on it again, and I finally finished piecing this still-unnamed quilt that I'm making with Debra.  She pieced the center medallion and the pinwheel blocks, mostly in western themed fabrics.  I added two side panels and borders.  You should be able to click on it to see the details.





I was taken with the western theme of the center medallion, and then my friend Leslie gave me a large piece of this old Alexander Henry fabric "Sweetheart of the Rodeo," which is a riff on the old Byrds album cover of the same name.  I've been obsessed with this image for a few years: I have a picture of it hanging above my sewing machine, so when Leslie gave me this fabric, it was double serendipity.


My only qualm with the fabric was that all the cowgirls were white.  In the service of historical accuracy, I took out my gel pens and inserted some racial diversity into the mix.



 This one got some silver "highlights."  There's no reason cowgirls all have to be young.


I love the pose of these cowgirls.  They remind me of angels.  I thought they'd be a good guardians for a western themed Virgin of Guadalupe.  I'll be sending this off to Debra soon.  We'll see what she adds.

7 comments:

Kay said...

What a stunner! I love what you did to the cowgirls. Reminds me of how a woman in our guild made the Betty Boops in her fabric African American. It will be fun to see what Debra does to this. It's ready for some more yellow, I'd say!

Debra Dixon said...

Hmm. . . yes, it will be interesting to see what Debra does! Yellow Rose of Texas? maybe?
love it so far!!

Finn said...

Awesome Barb! So good to see you working again with fabric, etc.
I love what you two are doing. It's one of the best, most interesting round robins I've seen! Hats off to both of you and hurray for insight and gel pens! Hugs, Finn

beth said...

You and your gel pens make a very good team!!!

Judy S. said...

How fun! I'm about to tackle some pinwheel blocks. Any suggestions?
Oh, and found an interesting sock pattern called South Forks~has a cable-like pattern that you do sans cable needle; it's fun.

Magpie Sue said...

What fun! Love that you 'enhanced' some of the cowgirls ;- )

There's a great title for this quilt lurking out there somewhere...

quiltmom anna said...

Hi Barbara,
Sorry it has been awhile since I visited and commented. Your new quilt is very fun- I love how you play to create such interesting wall hanging. Your cowgirl fabric is truly fun.

Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials to Michael. Your ring is lovely- I hope the two of you will spend many more happy years together.

Warmest regards,
Anna

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