Block 31 ~ Evening Star

Block 31, Evening Star brought to mind the strange pale light that shines upon the earth when the moon is simply a pale sliver of gold that barely allows us to glimpse into the shadows. 

It was easy to choose fabric for this block.  Imagine the great outdoors in star light ... the flora is a mysterious shadow with some plants standing out, while others hide in the shadows of darkness.

Block 30 ~ End of Day

The meaning of this block came to me in an instant.  We can all identify with the end of a day with the sun setting in a golden orb in the west and casting shadows over the garden.  There is a feeling of inextricable peace before the darkness of the night descends. 

It only took a few moments to extract the fabrics I needed from my box of stash ... picturing the garden in shadows I chose the gold to represent the setting sun, the light print for the sunshine area of the garden and the darker print for that part in shadows.

As my journey along the Farmer's Wife Quilt meaders along I find myself becoming immersed in what each block represents, and wonder who invented each block and why.

Block 29, Economy

How wonderful it would be if I could achieve the impossible!  Make a block a day, but being realistic I realise this is but a pipe dream.

Block 29, Economy, was economical in the use of my time!  The block is simple, but simply effective, as I guess are most matters of economy.  Sometimes we go the long way round when a simple, and economic, solution is there before us.  Perhaps Block 29 should be my ideal as a life journey?  If the result of that life journey is as effective as this block in its simplicity the challenge would be worth taking.

Block 28 ~ Duck and Ducklings

I loved constructing Block 28, Duck and Ducklings ... there were no template 13's!! 

The colour choices are similar to The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt by Laurie Aaron Hird, and I have no inspiration as to why the pink was chosen.  Yellow representing fluffy ducklings would have been a more logical colour, but the pink and brown do make for a colourful block.

The completion of Block 28 marks the ¼-way block to the top of the quilt ... a milestone!

Block 27 Darting Birds

After catching up with other projects once again I am working on The Farmer's Wife quilt.  Block 27, Darting Birds is another that has more than its fair share of template 13, which is perhaps why I took so long!

At first I puzzled on the choice of colours as depicted in Laurie Aaron Hird's quilt, and it wasn't until I had it completed and ironed that it dawned ... well perhaps dusk is the correct word?

I could easily decipher the dark shadows of birds winging into the golden glowing sunset and it made me think of our tawny frog-mouth family that is at present nesting in the gum tree just above the rooftop.

Block 26 ~ Cut Glass Dish

Block 26, Cut Glass Dish was a slow block to construct as it has [too]  many template 13s, but as time goes by I am finding matching the tiny pieces is becoming easier.  Careful stitching is required! 

I think these fabrics illustrate the beauty of a cut glass dish which would have been a prized possession in the 1920's.  Trifles laced with sherry and covered in whipped cream with luscious strawberries picked from a patch not far from the back door would appear on the farm-house table at Christmas and other family celebrations.  Reflections of the feast would reflect in the faceted cut glass.

Country Path and Cups and Saucers

After time staying in the city now I am home again the inclination to stitch is once more taking control.

Country Path, Block 24, in spite of appearing difficult, was in reality simple.  Perhaps the fact that I am using a tiny very sharp needle has something to do with it?  This block needs no explaining ... a country path is easily discerned.

Block 25, Cups and Saucers, while looking easy, didn't prove to be.  I undid part of this block twice in an effort to match the corners.  It looks OK now, though for a while I did wonder if I would need to start from scratch.

As I am endeavouring to keep more or less to the original colour ways I do wonder at the dark colours of Cups and Saucers and came to the conclusion that day-to-day crockery would have been sturdy and drab in colour.  Back in the 1920's dishes did not get thrown out once a plate or cup was chipped or broken; dishes lasted a lifetime.