Thursday, February 29, 2024

Oh, Baby! Another Top!

Mother Goose
It's a top!
43 inch square

Hmmm... guess I should have done a little better job of ironing!

Funny how this one came together...

I received this vintage-y looking piece of fabric with Mother Goose on it back in January. I set it aside to use for a backing fabric for a small quilt. 

In January I also received a box of stuff from a different person and it had some 2 1/4 inch squares in it. I thought that was a weird size of square - one I don't save when I process scraps - so I just sewed them together into four patches as leader enders thinking I could add some 4 inch squares to the mix and do something with them for a child's quilt. 

This month I have been trying to match up backings to tops  - prepping for a March Madness Quilting Marathon - and I measured the Mother Goose piece but it was only 36 inches from selvage to selvage. Gosh, that is not only vintage looking but it is vintage fabric! I remember making clothes as a younger girl when sewing patterns included pattern piece layouts for both 36 or 42-44 inch fabric. With a little bit of quick research this morning I found that the standard for dressmaking fabrics in the early 60s was 42-44 so I guess that Mother Goose fabric predates 1960s. 

Ok. So since vintage Mother Goose was a little short in width for my tops and I didn't want to cut it up because the motifs are large I set it near my sewing machine to deal with later.  Then I had an aha moment as I was sewing those four patches as leader enders. I thought they looked rather vintage-y too. And they were in the colors that were in the vintage Mother Goose fabric. And at 4 inches (finished) nine four patches would fit perfectly on each side of a 36 inch square piece of fabric. It was meant to be! 

Now to iron out those vintage wrinkles and find a backing! 

And sew on...

****
CELEBRATE! (my word of the year)

Feb. 29 - Oh, an extra day this year! 
"I just want to celebrate another day of livin'
I just want to celebrate another day of life"...  lyrics from Rare Earth song.

 

11 comments:

Gretchen Weaver said...

Those 4 patches are the perfect border for the Mother Goose fabric, this quilt was meant to be!

Chantal said...

It's funny how things just come together sometimes. Sometimes, it's fabric; sometimes, it's people. Well done. ;^)

Julierose said...

"Cute cute Mother Goose"--perfect for those funny-size square 4-patches...
Hugs, Julierose

Nann said...

A wonderful coincidence! And the truly-vintage fabric is charming. Not only do I remember yardage options for 36", 44/45", and sometimes 54", but I also remember "new sizing," when the pattern mfrs caught up (somewhat) to clothing industry sizes. Since you and I are the same age, Cathy, and have been sewing for pretty much the same time I'm sure you remember new sizing, too.

Jenny said...

This was meant to be, such a gorgeous piece of Mother Goose fabric.

Linda said...

Great idea to combine the Mother Goose fabric with the 4 patches. It will make a pretty baby quilt.

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

What a great idea!!!! I like that fabric too - so fun!

Anonymous said...

That’s an idea for my growing stack of 4-P, or the 8-P. Rejoicing that you got to move this fun vintage fabric closer to a happy child. & to squeeze it into Feb. win-win-win!

Pamela Arbour said...

I love it when things come together! It is perfect. It would have been a shame to cut up that fabric.

Anonymous said...

Back in the day, when we took the hem down in a cotton dress it was advised to spritz it with vinegar water. You could try it on your fold lines with a hot iron. Lollie

MissPat said...

Serendipity at it's best. What a cute little quilt this will be. Shall we take bets on how many quilts will be quilted in March? I'm enjoying your daily celebrations.
Pat