Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Wildly Whimsical Wonder

Wildly whimsical wonder, found on eBay
This wildly whimsical wonder is actually a rescue quilt. Sold as a cutter on eBay, and purchased last week for $31, the quilt has a combination of elements unlike anything I've seen before.


The quilt has 27 circular wheels - 25 of which appear to be a variation on Brackman #3469 and 3470, both called Sunburst. Two of the wheels are comparatively simple, just circles divided into eight wedges.


One of the most unusual things about this quilt is the background, which alternates bright red and soft yellow. At first, the overall effect is broad stripes, but they aren't really stripes.

Has anyone out there ever seen anything like this quilt? If you have, please comment!!


10 comments:

  1. Bill, Sorry to say I haven't seen anything like this quilt. You are so spoilt with the amount of quilts, Museums and Exhibitions you have access to in the USA. So glad I have found your blog and I am enjoying reading back on your past blog pages.
    Thanks for following my quilt ramblings.
    Sue

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  2. I am so glad that this quilt went to a good home - and that you shared such a good photo of it. I am fascinated by the red stripes that aren't stripes, and the two simple circles. I also love the triple line quilting. This quilt is such an odd mix of complex piecing and haphazard design.

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  3. I've never seen anything like it, but it's absolutely fabulous!

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  4. What a fun quilt!! It really doesn't look like it is in "cutter" shape at all!!

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  5. There are some pieces where the fabric has deteriorated, but for me, those areas do not detract. It's such an odd quilt. I think that's why I love it!

    Sue, you're right - we're spoiled here in the States with the amount of quilts we've got. I do have some ideas about showing my quilts internationally in the future. Who knows, maybe I'll find a place in the UK to have a show. The V & A may be a stretch, but maybe the American Museum in Britain might be interested. As I work on the show, I'm putting together a list of potential venues so the show may travel. I dream of showing quilts one day in the UK, Australia, Japan, and other places.

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  6. Oh, Bill! It's a delight! I'm so happy it went straight to you!

    When it was on eBay, I was seeing the background as striped, but with a good photograph to stare at now, I'm seeing a layer of round sunburst blocks floating over another layer of rounds, these ones each individually split straight down the center between red and white. Whatever she intended, the dimensional effect is dazzling. And who could say no to those two bulky pie-wedge rounds having the nerve to elbow in on the spiky party!?

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  7. LOL, I think it's awesome how we've both spotted some of the same quilts on eBay. Love your description of the two bulky pie wedge rounds having the nerve to elbow in on the spiky party. I've been known to crash parties in my day, too. The quilt and I have something in common. :)

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  8. Just goes to show that freedom of creative choice -- sometimes imposed, e.g. ainʻt got nothinʻ else that fits, gotta finish this before snowfall, thatʻs it: Iʻm NOT sewing anymore points!! -- can provide such a deliriously joyful outcome. We are indebted to you, Bill, for bringing us such fun.

    Nyima, grinning.

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  9. Couldn't agree more, Nyima! Of all the quilts I've collected, this one reminds me most of a circus - and more than three rings. It is also a very small quilt - child size - about 72" x 50". I'll bet that kid loved this quilt!!

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  10. Circus...that was the first thing I thought of seeing this quilt...the edges sort of have a tent-like feel to them. Very fun quilt (and not an easy one to make either!) So glad it didn't end up as a cutter!

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