2/9/14

Door Number Six

Today I completed the sixth of the door blocks for the Doors of Ireland quilt. If you're relatively new to this blog, then you may not know that I traveled to Ireland in June of 2012 for the International Quilt Festival of Ireland. While I was there, I became enchanted...perhaps even obsessed...with the interesting doors I saw. They came in all shapes, sizes and colors, and while there, I hatched an idea to make a quilt from them. I took pictures of hundreds of doors with the intent to make quilt blocks from 12 of them. Here is the one I did today.

This is the original door, and no doubt this picture was taken as we sped by on a tour bus.


Here is my quilt block:


Obviously, I left out the security screen over the window. I stitched the curtain rod with metallic thread, then appliqued the curtain over. The white letters are applique, but from tiny little pieces. Looking at this, I can see I need to trim some threads. I used hot-fix gold stars in place of the little ornamental deals on either side of the transom window, and I used a hot-fix nailhead for the doorknob. Since the original image cut off what was in front of the bakery, I decided a sidewalk was in order. 

Not all the details have been stitched into these doors because I'm saving some of that for when they are quilted. 

Here are the other five doors I've made so far. I have them pictured in the order that I made them. 






And I don't think this quilt can be complete unless I include the Mad Hatters Dingle door. I'm thinking I will probably strip piece that upper portion and then applique the rest. I'll probably include the dress forms in the left window. I'm not sure how I'll do the lettering since the font is part of the charm of this one. I may embroider it, or maybe do it with marker. I'll have to see how I feel when I do it. Also, I have to sometimes delete certain elements in order to fit into the 9-inch square I have alotted myself for these. When they are sewn into a quilt, each block will be 8-1/2 inches square.


So I usually just lay these pictures on my work table and stare at them for several weeks considering how to do each part, and so I won't do this one for a month or more.

In the meantime, my next goal is to make the next section for the Gardener's Journal quilt. I have the next three stitcheries complete...or maybe there were two, I can't remember. I just need to do the piecing around them.


And that's all the sewing I'm doing for today. Our temperatures have warmed up considerably this afternoon. Ice and snow are falling from the roof and trees and it looks like we're in for a warmer, if wetter, week ahead.

How was your weekend?

Oh yes, and before I forget, I'll be linking this post to:


30 comments:

carla said...

Hi!!!! Beautiful doors!!!! Ireland sounds like a lot of fun!!!! I am Cherokee/Irish so maybe someday!!!

WoolenSails said...

Love the new one and I like how you changed it a bit to fit for quilting, has a much nicer look than using the metal grate in the window.

Debbie

Vroomans' Quilts said...

This is just going to be spectacular - love the Mad Hatter and that should be fun to work on.

dq said...

So in love with your door blocks. I LOVE quilts with houses and buildings on them, so this is a treat to see!

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

Love you doors. Such fun and you stitching is wonderful.

Junebug613 said...

The O'Briens door block came out great! You are really good at translating your photos into fabric creations. I can't wait to see the Mad Hatter block.

Brown Family said...

I love your doors. THat is such a neat idea to remember your trip!

Lynda Halliger Otvos (Lynda M O) said...

Your doors quilt is going to be a stunner. I can't wait to see it in its entirety. You are so talented. I remember how I found you: I saw a quilt you had made and donated to AAQI. I dug around on Google until I found Cat Patches, which you had very recently begun. I can still picture that first quilt that brought me to you-purple background and dancing ladies. I hope someday to build a similar one-you inspire me in many ways. Thanks for that one most important piece of advice: My quilt, my rules. It has been the single most helpful bit to date.

Tami C said...

The O'Briens door block is lovely! Quilts with buildings and homes really grab my attention. Can't wait to see what you do with the Mad Hatter block!

Kate said...

Your Door to Ireland quilt is going to be gorgeous! All of the blocks turned out great. Looking forward to seeing the Mad Hatter's door all finished.

Anonymous said...

We're still waiting for some type of warm-up......any kind, actually!!!!I'm glad your stormy weather has departed. Some amazing snow/ice amounts your direction!!!! My fave door is still the green one with the exposed brick/stone exterior. Love it!!!!! The journal quilt has so much to look at goin' on.....definitely an "I spy" type. Super nice!!! Hugs.............

Dana Gaffney said...

Oh yeah, I've been waiting for the Mad Hatter's door, it really stuck in my head when you started this project.

krislovesfabric said...

This is such a fun way to commemorate your trip...love your doors!!!

rubyslipperz1052 said...

Those are just "jaw-dropping" quilty images of the real thing! I love them!

hugZ,
annie

sophie said...

I'm happy to see another of your doors blocks. What a special quilt this will be.

Terri in BC said...

What a wonderful idea! I took a ton of pictures of doors when I went to Italy, and might have to steal your idea - thanks for sharing!

Celtic Thistle said...

Another great door Barbara, this is going to be a great memento of your trip.

Sooli said...

What a great idea for a quilt. It will be a lovely souvenir from your trip. Love some of the fabrics you've used for the walls!

Angie in SoCal said...

Wonderful doors! What a creative way to remember your trip.

Angie in SoCal said...

Wonderful doors! What a creative way to remember your trip.

Denise :) said...

I think, when you've finished with it, you should take it with you *back* to Ireland and show all those shop owners, etc., your fun piece!!! :)

Snoodles said...

What an awesome quilt this is becoming! Wowser! Hope you are warm...bad storm headed our way! :)

quiltzyx said...

Love the way you did the curtains & used the hot fix goodies. You are doing a terrific job on all the doors! I'll see if I can find out what the font is on the Dingle door for you...I know a guy who is a big font fan.

Kathy Felsted Usher said...

This is going to be one of my favorite quilts you are doing! When I get more experienced I would like to try something like this. I can't wait to see the Mad Hatter door.

Shari said...

I just love your doors. I have pictures of windows that I took in Italy several years ago and may have to try it myself.

Heidi said...

Yay, a new door! It looks great! And the Mad Hatter will be a fun one too:-)

Lynette said...

Barbara, it's so fun to see these together in a group! The bright colors are perfect, just like I remember about Ireland - so gaudy by some people's standards over here, but so cheerful-looking when I saw it there many years ago. Mad Hatter's Dingle!!! LOVE IT!

newsurfiegirl said...

Love the latest door. it is such a great way to remember your trip!

KatieQ said...

My favorite of the door is the turquoise one with the flower pots outside. It must be wonderful to work on these blocks and remember your trip.

Sarah said...

I love your doors of Ireland. What a unique feature of a country, and such a great way to show them off and capture your memories. My favourite so far is the jade barn door with the exposed brick.