A couple of weeks ago, at one of our Guild Sew Days I got an amazing burst of creative energy. It all started with the fabulous Bill Volkening and his amazing collection of vintage New York Beauty quilts. Bill is a quilt collector extraordinaire and a collection of his 1970’s quilt hung at QuiltCon last week.
Anyway Bill was showing some of us the roughs for a new book he has done which highlights his amazing collection of New York Beauty quilts from the 1850’s through to modern. I had never seen such an awe inspiring collection of quilts and I was immediately drawn to the wonderful patterns that were used to make them. If you are interested in seeing what I am talking about Bill has a fun slide show of 30 of his New York beauties up on line HERE.
Having just conquered my fear of curved piecing I thought I had to give this block a go, just to see if I could do it. The second part of the inspiration came about 20 minutes later when a friend from PMQG gave me the most amazing gift… a tin of Mirror Ball fat quarters. It seems Tracey had bought the tin years ago, before I had discovered the magic of Mirror Ball and not used it…she had seen my love of Mirror Ball first hand at the PMQG retreat (I may have drooled over her fabric) and decided to gift me her tin of magic. I was at first speechless and a little teary. It was such a generous gift and I do LOVE Mirror Ball. Anyway a long story short while I was petting my new fabric I stumbled across this colour scheme…
…and my new project/obsession was born. So this week I have been making New York Beauty blocks…
…lots of New York Beauty blocks.,..
I found some paper piecing patterns for blocks in my EQ7 program and I have been playing…
There has been lots of unpicking and learning but I am having fun. I am not sure what final layout will be but for now I am just enjoying the fun of making these blocks. Each one is different…each one is unique…each one has sparkle in it.
I am linking up with Lee and Freshly Pieced for WIP Wednesday.
Fa-bu-lous! But rather you than me for the piecing difficulties.
Viv I was surprised by how much easier these were than I thought…and boy am I learning about curved piecing.
These colors are so interesting together! I love the NYB blocks, and love all the variations!
Absolutely GORGEOUS!
Love the colors you’ve put together. Sounds like your’e having lots of fun!!
What a wonderful block to represent New York! Was it deliberate, inspired by the Statue of Liberty’s crown, or was it named after the block was designed and someone noticed the resemblance?
Arielle from what I can gather the term New York Beauty was coined in the 1930s when the pattern was used by the Mountain Mist Company to promote their batting. They revisited an old pattern that dates back to the 18th century but the rename has stuck. The block does scream New York, I think, for the reasons you mentioned.
Thanks for the clarification! I saw that the first blocks were from way before the Statue; that’s why I wasn’t sure how they’d gotten their name. I’m not up for curved piecing, so I’ll simply enjoy looking at your blocks 🙂
Stunning work!
Stunning!! Love the fabric you’re using. I’m a huge NY Beauty fan. I made a purple and gold one, and I’m now working on a black and white NY Beauty quilt.
Wonderful NYB!!!! And the fabrics are fantastic.
Greetings, Rike
Oh, you don’t do things by halves, do you? Those are some of the most lavish, loud, gorgeous, fresh, modern and, well, WOMBAT NYB blogs I’ve ever seen. I quite understand your mirror ball fetish, and feel it’s a natural progression from your Pearl Bracelet fetish. I’m now desperate to see what you end up using all those lovely blocks for!
This are real beauties! I wish I wasn’t afraid of curves!
These are beautiful.
What a great rabbit hole to go down! There are so many variation of NYB; I’m sure you will find most of them. These three are a wonderful start – what a pretty palette!
I love your colours. I’m just in the middle of a NYB quilt myself! I found ten pattern blocks from an old QAL hosted by sew sweetness. Where are your patterns from, if you don’t mind me asking? They are gorgeous.
Sadly, the pattern links on SewSweetness not longer work. Does anyone have a favorite spot for NYB paper piecing patterns?
Aileen I grabbed my patterns off my copy of EQ quilting program. There are some patterns out there… including http://www.lenzula.de/en/pattern/free-pattern/new-york-beauty.html which has a good selection.
So so awesome!
Looks like you’re having a lot of fun! Keep going!! 🙂
I had the great pleasure of actually being Bill’s volunteer for his first history tour at QuiltCon. It was a great tour and he had a lot of information. I could image how amazing this was for you guys!!
Love it!
ManOMan, these are beautiful block(ettes)! I may just have to add them to my quilting bucket list.
On my to do list, I want a New York beauty quilt. Your blocks are lovely.
Oh, it’s so lovely and Tracie was so generous! Lucky you (you didn’t even have to enter a giveaway to win!
What an awesome friend- I’ve not seen the mirror ball in those colors. I love your New York beauty block too.
I am only beginning to learn about New York beauties. They look like fun to make. Enjoy!
At this rate, you will be a curve pro soon and ready to make a double wedding ring. 🙂 (I made up my own pattern and it used paper piecing, which I know you like ….)
Love these! Great job! I love when sewing is just so fun that you keep making and making.
What a wonderful gift!!! I love mirror ball, too- mine are all purples and silvers, or course 😉 Your beauties are beautiful!