Most of my quilts are made in the "one-and-done" mode. Use a pattern once, then put it away. The exception --> I've made 7 cowboy quilts in various sizes. This pattern was published in the Fons & Porter magazine Sept/Oct 2000 issue. It was repeated in a later issue with additional blocks -- as I recall, a cactus and a cowboy hat.Most of my boot quilts were made for a specific person -- the owner of a horse farm, a lady who was a barrel racer, a sister who collects cowboy boots, a daughter's former boyfriend, a coworker's daughter who received her Ph.D. at the U. of Texas.
I've kept only one--this one. I never plan to give it away or auction it for a worthy cause. It reminds me of the others I made, all 278 boots' worth.
Fabric selection for the boots was the fun part. Most were made from fabrics with horses or barbed wire or cowboy attire. But some were made with the recipient in mind, little personal touches here and there. A couple boots were made using school colors of a college attended. One boot was sewn from flowers for a lady who has a green thumb. One boot was made from fireworks fabric for someone whose favorite holiday is Independence Day.
The options are endless. I've even seen a 12-boot quilt, each one representing a month. The first boot was made with snowflakes, second was made with hearts, the third with shamrocks, etc.
The backing on my quilt is this feedsack my mother gave me when I started quilting. It's thin in places and has a few stains, but it brings back memories of growing up on a NE Iowa cattle farm. It reminds me of all those rows of hand stitching I did as my mother taught me to sew.I have a few feedsacks from my childhood and some purchased via E-bay, and this is the first one I've actually cut and used in a quilt. One piece was fussy cut for a boot on the front (do you see it?), and the rest is the quilt backing, pieced as necessary to fit this 41 x 62" quilt.
Stay tuned for a giveaway over the weekend. I'm approaching the end of my third year of blogging.
(This is a re-purposed, simplified version of a post from long ago.)
15 comments:
It's wonderful - that's a lot of boots over the years - lol xx
These boots are so fun--I can't believe how many you have made. I see the boot from the backing fabric--the one with the guitar, isn't it?
Can't believe you've made so many - glad you get to keep this one!
They say when you make a series from one pattern you're a true artist. (Although I can't remember at the moment who "they" are...) What a great quilt and a perfect way to use meaningful fabrics.
That is a beauty. I had to reread the number of boots you have made. Yikes! Love the backing fabric!!!!
A fun quilt Vivian, great one to use some fun fabrics..that;s a lot of boots!
I find it hard to make the same pattern twice, but have done only a couple of times..it's like "ok done that one"
Love the backing too.
Julia ♥
I remember that pattern very well. I never made the quilt but thought it was a very good design. One that you could use lots of fabrics in creating the boots. You certainly have made a lot of them.
I love your booths...they look sooooooo awesome!
I love that pattern but I've never made more than one or two boots. Another UFO.
Your boot quilt is really cool!
What a fun quilt!!
great cowboy (cowgirl) quilt! the feed sacking backing is really a treasure and perfect for the quilt!
Glad you are keeping it!
Fabulous quilt...love the creativity in each block!
A very charming quilt, and the backing fabric is perfect! I have a weak spot for feedsack!
That is a ton of boots. Or at least a barrelful!
Love the feedsack backing.
You and I are both close to 3 years!
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