Welcome to my stop on the Salt and Sand Blog Hop. Before I go much further, I must give a big shout out to Carol, Just Let me Quilt, who comes up with fabulous themes for us to create and blog about. I so appreciate the work she does for these, and it brings you to my blog. A Whale’s Tale is my story of falling in love with the beautiful drawings of a sailor in New England, long ago. I designed and made quilted placemats for you, my gift to you on this hop.
My entry is called “A Whale of A Tale”, in homage to the diary from where the drawing originated. A few months ago, right before the call went out for this blog hop, my friend who blogs at The Wise Welsh Witch pointed me in the direction of Public Domain Review and an Essay on The Art of Whaling by Jessica Boyall. I fell in love with the idea of the captain of a ship writing and drawing in these beautiful journals. I loved the above picture, most of all. The detail on the whales, like stitching and the eyes…so wonderful. So, a seed was planted and a placemat pattern was born!
A side note on copyright: Public domain means that if something (a book, pattern, diary, picture, was published before 1925, it is in the public domain. This diary is from 1842, so it meets that criteria. If you want to learn more about copyright for quilters (or other creative people), follow Just Wanna Quilt, attend a lecture or class given by Elizabeth Townsend Gard or read the book, Just Wanna Create.
One other thought, I am looking at this diary with an eye toward the art and not the historical pieces which I have a little more trouble with. Whaling was a thriving industry, but brutal, and something I find distasteful. So, rather than concentrate on text, I am concentrating on the art. To me, these are whales in love, and now protected off the shores they once were hunted.
Now, picking fabric is always fun. I was able to locate a fabric that had handwriting on it. Not as elaborate, nor in indigo blue, but perfect for this placemat. It is a Moda, Modern BG Paper Silver White, and I was so pleased to find it.
Furthermore, last year, I made this pattern for one of the hops and I had some leftover fabric. Although the little guys are narwals, it still would be perfect. Of course, this little piece from last year is perfect for this hop, but on to the one I created. The good news is that the dining room will look perfect with both of these in the dining room.
I used Electric Quilt 8 and made my patterns. I also used an appliqué paper* that is wash away so I could turn the fabric edges under, as I wanted to try it in this application. For the outline stitch I used a triple stitch, #6, on my Bernina 570, so that I had more of a look like the original photo.
I also used two stitches to make the eyes – eyelet stitches or buttonhole stitches on my 570, #61 and #62. Yup, I am loving that stitch out I did showing all my stitches on the machine.
FREEBIE!!! There is a pattern for you. It includes eye templates, although I did not use them. This is a fairly simple pattern and goes together quickly. Having the edges turned under, removes some of the tedium, but it is your choice. Truly, the binding was the most tedious part. However, using the steam a seam tape to press that binding to the back, eliminates so many problems. In fact, I did not have to go over one seam! I felt the traditional binding was perfect, and would look best with the borders the size they are. You could skip the narrow border and make the outer border wider or do the self facing placemats. So many options, please make it your own.
I quilted the on Tabitha, the HQ Simply Sixteen and altered one of the basic wave patterns in the Prostitcher library. I love doing this and getting the effect I wanted.
I took them out for a little trip around the island. We stopped at Whaleback – rock that looks like a whale’s back from some angles.
It was a perfect day…the ocean and sky were gorgeous shades of blue!
Then, we returned to the dining room where we will live. I can see more of these in my future. I actually thought I might sell them in a craft show this summer, but I am afraid I love them.
I love the backing and can see turning these over, although I rarely do it. But, there may be a deal when the seahorses have to come and play. I am so pleased with this finish, and it was my OMG (One monthly goal) for this month. And, yes, it was a DrEAMi! project as once I got the idea in my head it just wouldn’t move until it was made.
Please, download your copy of the pattern from my store. It helps me keep track of how many are downloaded and what people really like.
Please remember to visit the folks posting below. The hop runs for two more days so plenty of time to see things that catch your fancy, bring you to the beach, where the sound of waves and gulls are plentiful and life feels a little changed.
March 24
Ms P Designs USA
DayBrook Designs
Vroomans Quilts
Kathleen McMusing
Quilt Schmilt
The Darling Dogwood
Daughters of Dorinda
Annie’s Musings
March 25
Quiltscapes
Beaquilter
Stitchin At Home
The Joyful Quilter
Scrapdash
Freckled Fox Quiltery
Quilts Fabric and Thread Tales
Words & Stitches
March 26
Just Let Me Quilt
Websterquilt
Quilting Gail
Samelia’s Mum
Quilt Fabrication
Little Penguin Quilts
Just Sew Quilter
Inflorescence
Coming Up on the Blog:
Mariner’s Compass for SAHRR linkup – 3/29
In the Kitchen – 4/19
International Sisters Quilt Blocks assembled
12″ House Block/s
Linking Up
Stitch, Sew and Show Week 11
TGIFF
One Monthly Goal
DrEAMi #50!
Can I Get a Whoop Whoop?
Friday Foto Fun #170
Favorite Finish Monthly Linkup
