Sew the Library - Country Quilts

I'm always surprised at how often my old quilt books draw me back. These are the ones with the classic blocks, simple shapes, which keep reminding how much I love those tried and true designs. The pictures make the quilts look like they are used and loved everyday, that they are full of stories and memories. I'm not sure I would ever fashion my house like this one, but gee, I'd like to know someone who did, so I could go around there for cups of tea and history.

 
This book, Country Quilts by Linda Seward, doesn't even belong to me, but I have a generous friend who lets me borrow it regularly. It's so full of old treasures, I feel like every time I read it, I find one I didn't notice before. And I get a little bit more confident that one day I'm going to start that Whigs Defeat Quilt.

One of my favourite, simple quilts, however, is that Ohio Star quilt that you can only just see in the background. I love the simple design, the understated colours, the wide mustard sashing. So when I decided this year that I wanted to make a quilt for my 97 year old Gran, I chose that one. And as is usual for me for gifted quilts, I've gone with a colour scheme I think she will like, but I feel completely out of my depth.

I bought these reproduction fabrics from Hawthorne Threads and immediately began arranging and cutting. But since making that first star, I've slowed.right.down. I'm not sure if I should have only used each colour with white, or if once I have a whole bunch of stars, I'll feel more comfortable, or I'll never feel comfortable because these are not my usual prints, and that's ok. I need to remind myself often that my Gran, with her failing mind and eyesight, will love this. And sometimes you don't get to have that confident, winning feeling when you make for others, but it doesn't make the gift any less precious. In fact, if you're making for someone else's taste, it's even more so.

I'm linking up to Sew the Library, hosted this month by Martha from Weekend Doings. Won't you join us? I'd love to see what books inspire you! And I'm the host next month, 20th March, which just happens to fall on my baby girl's first birthday. Maybe I'll aim to have this finished and a little something sewn for her. What would you make for a one year old?