Quilting Pebbles and Swirls with Angela Walters

Get inspired, relax and have fun all while remembering to breathe ~

And, as always, practice makes for free-motion quilting perfection ~

What's all the fuss about.....it's only a needle?

Even when we know it's going to be boring as all get out....some things just have to be read.   At least We All Sew gets it down very succinctly in print so we only have to read it once to understand the importance of  knowing our sewing machine needles - from the shank through the shaft....groove on to the eye which leads us to the point.....of knowing your needle.    Take a look and bookmark this page for future reference.  

Bernina:  We All Sew
Photo Credit

Want an easy wedge?

Youhooooo!  Wedge quilts are continuing to trend and shown here, an easy wedgey circle design by Tamara Kate at kayajoydesigns especially for Michael Miller to showcase the hash-dot fabric collection. 

Go here for your free download of Tamara's Four Eyes Quilt ~

Yesterday Revisited BOM 6: Road to California

 

 

 

Another lovely quilt block that is known by many different names.   Also a quilt block name that applies to many different quilt blocks!

 

Since there are so many different Road to California blocks, it can be hard to find a history for this one design.  I did find an interesting piece written by Judy Anne Breneman, www.patternsfromhistory.com  

 

 

Road to California: A Quilt About a Destination

"By 1841, two wagon trains had penetrated the isolated Mexican Province of Alta California... Both wagon trains included women and children, the pioneer vanguard of countless westering families..." ¹

A Quilt Name Representing the Westward Journey

After researching this topic and looking at several examples of quilts named Road to California I've come to the conclusion that this name does not represent a single quilt block. Instead it signifies a great migration for the name, Road to California, has been used for several quilt block patterns.
The discovery of gold at Sutter's mill, a sawmill upriver from Sacramento, triggered a massive migration to California in 1849. Although gold had been found in California earlier this find got far more publicity first in San Francisco and then nationally. Thousands of gold seekers rushed westward in hopes of finding riches in gold.
With so many gold seekers and inflated prices many men returned home disappointed. Few women had gone west with the gold rush but some of the men saw other possibilities for earning a good living in the west. Farming, ranching and commercial enterprises inspired many to bring their families to California.
Soon it was not just the menfolk but families, often extended families, traveling the road to California. The incredible increase in population was a big part of why California was made the 31st state in 1850.

Various Patterns Named Road to California

Many of the Road to California patterns I've seen involve triangles. These triangles can represent birds and movement, both themes of the westward journey. There are many patterns that use triangles to represent the flight of birds. The Flying Geese pattern involves a series of triangles going in the same direction representing the migration of geese. It's not surprising that triangles were used to represent the migration of pioneers as well. The Road to California pattern to the left and those above include triangles as an important element. The pattern we often call Jacob's Ladder and at other times Underground Railroad is sometimes called Road to California.
The quilt pattern shown to the right is far different than the other Road to California quilt patterns I found. In her 1929 book Ruth Finely described this pattern as a most difficult one. Finley relates that the small pieces in the example pictured in her book were only one inch square. ² Although there are no triangles the quilt gives the impression of wheels rolling along toward California. You may know this pattern as Burgoyne Surrounded or Burgoyne Surround.
I looked over several examples of Road to California and designed the pattern in the upper right of this webpage on similar patterns by this name. It was fun to look over these quilts noticing slight variations. This pattern is a reminder to us that creative variations have always been a natural part of making a quilt.
The free pattern can be found at Road to California Quilt Pattern.

 

 

 

 

Road to California block layouts found at Meadowside Designs 

 

 

Free Motion Swirl or Swirl Hook How To ~

 

Just Keep On Quilting ~

Did you know?  Of course, as a quilter, you already knew this....."the quilting art form is good for your health, helps you stay connected and provides purpose."   

Credit:  Compliments of Marijke Vroomen Durning

An inspiring article by Marijke Vroomen Durning - The Creative Art of Quilting - found on Next Avenue, the place where grown-ups keep growing. 






 

Big Quilts.....Big Time ~

Are we having fun yet?  Yeah, Baby.....Big Time!  Quilting with Big Quilt Blocks! 

Found on Kitchen Table Quilting on the Freebies page; but,  don't stop there.  There's more than enough big time fun to enjoy at  Erica's Kitchen Table Quilting. 

Just a tease....here's Erica's January and February big block quilts.  You'll be missing out BIG TIME if you don't go there and download for big fun. 




Kitchen Table Quilting
photo credit



Kitchen Table Quilting
photo credit
 

 

In The Bee Hive with Joe Cunningham

Join Joe in his gallery or blog or workshops and lectures to enjoy even more of this fab quilt artist.


 

Just the facts, ma'am....just the facts ~

Quilting Questions Answered:  Part 1 - Suzy Quilts

Frustrated over some basic quilting problems - wavy quilts or breaking thread?  Oftentimes we overlook the obvious so Suzy cuts to the chase with just the facts! 

Photo Credit Suzy Quilts

 

Angela Walters Quilts Feathers ~ oh, my !

Be sure to download  your free PDF quilting diagrams.

Angela helps us make good filler choices about hiding or spotlighting those just finished feathers.  It all depends on the love....she says.