Thursday, July 16, 2009

curtains, sheet or quilt back?


Today I used one of my curtains for a quilt backing. I think I just might be taking this "use what you have" thing a little too far. :) The curtain actually started out life as an IKEA flat sheet. I hope it works well in a quilt because a flat sheet for $2 is a GREAT deal for a lot of fabric! I guess you can see where my priorities are.
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I had the chance to meet up with Victoria yesterday. She is so sweet!!! We had a wonderful time chatting while our kids ran and played for hours. We talked about quilting (of course), blogs and life in general. After chatting with her, I am so inspired to try new things with my quilting. I think it's safe to say that a good time was had by all.

The drive was just gorgeous, too.

I think the photo above needs to become a quilt.
I love corn fields...can you tell I'm a farm girl at heart?

44 comments:

Jess said...

That one with the fence totally needs to be a quilt!

Amy said...

Glad you had a good time - can't wait to see what you come up with for that landscape...

Unknown said...

Yes, I would say that you are really recycling! What a fun day it sounds like you had. Wonderful blue skies, perfect.

Julie @ Jaybird Quilts said...

so how do you plan on blocking the light?

ilovebabyquilts said...

I used an old sheet as a quilt back too for my oldest daughter. She loves it and says it feels very "sheet-y" against her skin. Sometimes she uses it as an excuse not to have a top sheet, like a combination cover!

Loralynn said...

I'm sorry, but I think repurposing your curtains is perfectly reasonable! You have blinds...you're all set!!!

Sara said...

I am working on a Zig-Zag quilt following your instructions. It's red and white and black. Now I need to put on some borders to make it up to a twin bed size. But I'm going to the lake with no sewing machine. It will have to wait until I get home.

Audrie said...

Hehe repurposing at its best! I've used a flat sheet for a quilt so it should work just fine :)

Renee said...

Now that is handy recycling.

The photo of the kids on a bright, cheerful and pretty quilt outside all smiling has me smiling ear to ear!!!

MichelleB said...

Lucky you, meeting Victoria! How wonderful that we can meet and gain more inspiration from each other.

Betsy said...

Great use of your resources! In the picture your kiddos have on jackets...it was like 110 here today. Where are you and can I come visit?

Di~ said...

How fun for you guys!How far did you have to drive? And I wish I could go to the Colorado thing you'll be teaching at! I almost threw out 2 sheets yesterday, then realized they could turn into sashing, backing, curtains for AmandaJean,:), etc. (even tho' they are pale yellow...)

V and Co. said...

i have a lot of "farm" over here. i could get you all farmed out if you visit "middle of nowhere"
love that you used your curtains. i use sheets for curtains all the time!

dotti white said...

Quilting inspiration is all around us, isn't it?! I love it!

Mushyhed said...

I love Victoria and I'm glad you two had a great visit. I've recently have been thinking about using pretty sheets as backing. No piecing...yay!!!

Unknown said...

Guess it's time for new curtains!? Can't wait to see what it's for :) Sounds like a fun time with fellow quilter/blogger - I'm a little jealous, just a little :)

soggybottomflats said...

I totally love the idea of using a sheet for the backing and the price is oh so great. I use chocolate flat sheets in my bedroom for curtains since I work nights and need black rooms to sleep in during the day. Now I know what to use them for when I decide to "upgrade" my boudior look, he,he! I hope you have fun with Victoria and relax a little this summer...but please keep those creative thoughts of yours coming for the rest of us!

jacquie said...

i just used the back of a duvet for the back of a baby quilt...whatever works is what i say! looks like a great drive and a fun meet up!

Journeying Five said...

i love reusing, repurposing...so much fun! i like your picnic quilt too!

Anonymous said...

I'm completely with you on the curtains as quilt back one, I love re-using things in a new way!!

Jessica said...

When I find flat sheets on clearance I always buy them...they are so much cheaper than fabric sometimes. I think using curtains is a fabulous idea!

Jen said...

I have a stack of IKEA sheets that I've been using for lots of projects. And I just got two new navy ones to make curtains with for the babies room. Ya, you can not beat the price.

Janet said...

You made me laugh. I love your practicality (I would do the same). What a joy to spend a day sharing your interest in quilting and having your kids play together. Best wishes to two very special ladies.

Meg said...

I have used thrifted sheets as quilt backs--once you do it, it just seems crazy to use anything else. You're right, it's so much fabric for so cheap!

Angela Nash said...

What fun! And I love that sheet - curtain - quilt back! Fabulous!

Cheryl Arkison said...

I love how quilter's always have a picnic quilt! And some people probably look at us at the park and think we're crazy!

Needled Mom said...

It looks and sounds like it was a wonderful time.

Victoria Findlay Wolfe said...

What a great day! it started out so gloomy and chilly and I ended up with a little sunburn! well rosy cheeks anyway! but well worth it with such nice company! Thanks for a wonderful day Amanda! I am starting to hyper ventilated being away from my sewing machine for so long. I should have come over and used yours! now i have to find a box to ship all my goodies home to NY! homebound monday! Love that rail fence!

Becky J. said...

that is too funny. using curtains. i do love a good green field also. a poppy field is the best exploding with color.

Cathieg said...

Great way to recycle! Back in the day when money was really tight, I made our curtains from sheets!

Elizabeth said...

Great idea! love the farm scenes!

Philigry said...

sounds like a great time! i love those corn fields!

Sherry said...

I've always heard never to use a sheet for a quilt backing but never heard a good reason why you shouldn't! I say try it, if it works, woohoo! Looks like you all had a great time. Cornfields? I can walk out my back door & see them! LOL

Kristin said...

I'm glad I'm not the only one who has sacrificed a sheet for a quilt.

Contented Caroline said...

I use sheets as backing for quilts all the time - it saves on heaps of money and I don't see any difference. So long as it's 100% cotton who cares?

Amy said...

Wow, at first I really did think that that fences picture was a quilt! How awesome is that? It looks more like a painting than a photograph.

Clair said...

Looks like fun.

pratima said...

Such a beautiful day! Lovely pictures :)

Chara Michele said...

Too funny! So what do you plan on using for a curtain now? :)

Meeting other bloggers is so much fun isn't it :)

lera said...

Sounds like a fun day. I'm a farm girl at heart, too. (Surprised?)

Claudia said...

I actually used those Ikea sheets as lining/base fabric for my Victorian wedding gown - great choice! :-)

Glen said...

That park looks just like the one in Hastings MN! Strange. P.s. Love the sheet as a backing idea.

sulu-design said...

YES! That photo does need to become a quilt. A girl after my own heart!

Michelle said...

Sheets to curtains to quilt back --works for me!