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Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Almost Antique Apple Core Quilt

Isn't it funny that so many quilts have such specific memories attached to them? This quilt's story began in 1995 as our family was preparing to head out to Colorado to go skiing. I always take a hand project in the car, and driving from Florida to Colorado required a substantial project!!
I have been a charter member of this magazine, it's my very favorite!! When I saw this pattern, I was immediately drawn to the plaids. Back in 1994, I was knee deep in trying to collect homespun fabrics and build my stash. So when I got this issue, it was screaming my name!!


Notice this is only issue 8!! How awesome that 17 years later it's still going strong :). So in the weeks leading up to our departure, I cut little apple cores out by the scores! I was using only reds, blues and tans (my favorite color palette).




With my little bag of pieces, I hand stitched these little darlings into long rows mile after mile. I didn't know at the time that this quilt would not be finished and quilted until 1999, but it did get finished and is still one of my favorites.


I decided not to do the wavey edge, and just cut off the outer edge and added a checkerboard border. Of course back then, machine quilting was not even on my radar - everything was hand quilted. I try and pull this out every fall, I was a little late this year (can't imagine why *wink*).


Until next time,


-Karen


P.S. My DH is doing well, but PT is currently winning the battle :).

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

This apple core quilt is a real beauty!! One of my all time favorites!!

Vivian said...

Classics like these, both the block and the color palate, really do stand the test of time. It's a great quilt. How enjoyable it is to look at a quilt and remember both where and when.
Special wishes sent your husband's way. PT isn't always easy, but it's such an important part of the healing process.

carol fun said...

I love seeing quilts from those early issues of APQ - I have quite a stash of these magazines too. And classics like this quilt are timeless - just so pretty! PT does kick butt - painful and frustrating- I'll say a prayer for your husband that it gets easier real real soon!

*karendianne. said...

Oh my gosh but this is a stunning quilt. I love what you did with the border and holy gee wiz I had not idea you've been quilting this long. You're a wealth of experience and perspective. How neat to learn this about you. I should have known, of course! Thinking good thoughts for DH, too!

Rose Marie said...

What a fabulous quilt .... I have a ton of plaids and this quilt would be perfect for my stash.

Ulla's Quilt World said...

Hi! Greetings from Finland! Your quilts are so fantastic! I LOVE your blog! It's so nice to find other quilters all around the world! :)

Terry said...

Your apple core quilt is just beautiful! It's another one that's on my "someday" list!

Barb said...

Hooray! your apple core quilt is great. I bet with those plaids it's warm and comfy too

Carla said...

What a great fall quilt! I bet your hubby is enjoying being wrapped up in it after the therapy sessions.

QuiltSue said...

That looks like a lovely cosy quilt, just perfect for chilly days.

Hope your DH wins the battle against the PTs soon.

MamaT said...

It's a good magazine and a lovely quilt. Looks really soft and snuggly. Did you see (on my blog) that my cactus bloomed? Not as pretty as yours, but at least it bloomed!

FlourishingPalms said...

Well, you just gave away our quilting ages. I have that issue too, and have loved Apple Core ever since seeing this quilt. I just never got around to making one. If you have all old AP&Qs, you'll find me in a few of them. I was an editor at AP&Q in 2000/2001. I left to begin freelance writing for different quilting magazines. Small world, isn't it?

Victoria Findlay Wolfe said...

Lovely! great border you added too! Have a super weekend!!

Karen said...

I made an apple core quilt probably about the time the magazine was published. Mine is red & green plaids. I will probably post it again during the Christmas season. I used the Sharlene Jorgensen template to do mine.

Janet said...

I recognised that magazine and I had good intentions of making the same quilt but I couldn't get the variety of plaids so it never happened. Yours looks wonderful still.