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. 

Country Farm

Block 23, Country Farm was a delight to stitch.  The verdant green of the paddocks in spring, the golden corn stretching to the corner of each paddock just prior to harvest; the red?  Perhaps the rooves of the homestead and the barns, and the delicate lavender/silver a symbol of the peace that is 'living on a country farm'?  That was my interpretation of this block. 

Part of the letter that inspired block 23 from The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt by Laurie Aaron Hird reads: "We farm women of today need no pity.  We have as many conveniences and pleasures as city women and we make use of our opportunities."   Now isn't that still today a true fact? !

Corn and Beans

After a break from constructing blocks for The Farmer's Wife sampler quilt, once again I am back on the job.

Block 22, Corn and Beans was more fiddly and time-consuming than difficult, but with thoughts of rows of tall corn competing for green beans on wigwams for the summer sunshine, my mind was completely occupied while my fingers stitched.  I remembered The Waltons, a television programme of last century and pictured Grandmother and Mother in their massive farm kitchen canning home-grown produce. 

I do not know if corn was preserved, but canned beans are popular all over, even today.

Churn Dash and Contrary Wife

Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt block 20 was Churn Dash, one of the simpler blocks to do.  Memories of 'winding the separator' to make cream which my mother turned into luscious fresh butter ... in the good old days when I was young!  I am trying to keep to similar colours to what is in the book, The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt by Laurie Aaron Hird; the rich gold in this block does remind me of home-made butter.

Block 21, Contrary Wife is bright and 'contrary'.  The letter pertaining to this block catalogues the differences between a country woman and a town woman, to the detriment of the town woman!  I chose barely matching colours in an effort to show that perceived gap between town and country.