When Fabric Meets Crochet

Not too long ago, I was reading “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert and was struck by her writing on the nature of ideas. She believes that ideas are alive and they they can jump from soul to soul in order to find the most efficient route to earth. Since I haven’t done much crafting since my son was born, and I haven’t found much inspiration since my favorite fabrics stores closed last year, I’ve felt that many ideas have passed me by. But my luck changed when my friend, Jera Brandvig, announced her new fabric line. “High Tea” is a gorgeous collection of prints inspired by vintage china tea sets and dainty, lace doilies.

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Just the images of this fabric inspired me to reach back into my earliest memories of crafting and drinking tea with my Grandma Ruby. I’ve written before about how Grandma Ruby gave me my first crash course in sewing, but she also taught me crochet and embroidery (and how to drink tea with tons of sugar–she was from the south). I remember making long crochet chains as a young girl sitting in her living room, and then making chains of my chains, until she showed me how to use a hook to make fabric of single and double crochets. Somewhere my mom has my first real crochet project: a wonky, green scarf that I made for her. These memories made me want to combine my love of crochet, with Jera’s beautiful, vintage inspired fabrics.

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Old crochet tablecloths and blankets are usually made of small “motifs” that are joined together. Crocheted granny squares are a basic example of this technique, but Jera’s fabric demanded a more elegant touch. So I got out my collection of Grandma Ruby’s vintage crochet magazines, looking for more inspiration. Eventually, I settled on trial and error and sketching out my own design.
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I’m extremely happy with how this blanket turned out. I had only three weeks to finish it, so I didn’t stop and take many picture along the way. I will work on getting a tutorial together soon though–just as soon as I catch up on sleep and chores. 🙂

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Happy Stitching!
~Tiffany

26 thoughts on “When Fabric Meets Crochet

  1. As I'm sure you know, Jera posted some lovely pictures of this incredibly beautiful quilt on her site. Between her beautiful fabric and your beautiful crochet (and amazing creativity!), you have created a truly wonderful piece of art! (And I was introduced to a new blog.)). This is just gorgeous. Your Grandma Ruby would be very proud of you!! Thank you so much for sharing this with us.

  2. I see that you are planning a tutorial. Sure hope that you can find the time between diaper changes! Like long sewist and crocheter so this would fall in my wheelhouse. Off to follow you now so I won't miss a thing. By the way, your technique is perfect.

  3. Love the quilt! Have been wanting to try doing this for a long time. Seen something similar on pinterest, but your crochet border is a lot nicer. I love both crocheting and quilting. Will watch for your tutorial! Thank you for thinking of doing the tutorial.

  4. Yes, I have already starting working on the tutorial. It may be a little while before I get it all together, but luckily my son has started taking long afternoon naps again. 🙂 I added a "Follow By Email" box on the side of my page. I hope that works for you.

  5. I love quilting and crochet so this quilt is particularly appealing to me. I love the fabric you used. It makes this quilt look feminine and dainty. You could use almost any fabric and crochet yarn to make a totally different look. Thank you so much for posting.

  6. Being both a quilter and crocheter I am so excited to see the tutorial and I am planning on starting this quilt this weekend..I am wanting to make it a bit longer the 44″ -hoping that won’t mess up the joining and border stitches..Thanks so much for taking the time to put this tutorial together..your quilt is beautiful….

  7. Thank you so much for taking the time to post the High Tea Quilt Tutorial. It’s the best tutorial I’ve come across and has really inspired me. I’ve been wanting to put my crochet skills together with patchwork for sometime. I look forward to watching how you put it all together.

  8. I love to quilt and also crochet ! This is a great idea and I plan to make one. I was wonder though, how does this hold up when washed ? does it loose its shape ??? Thanks Debby

  9. I love this fabric. Makes me hate to cut into it. I love owning it. Silly I know but it is just so beautiful. I will make your crocheted quilt. Thanks so much for the tutorial.

  10. Hi
    Love this quilt can’t wait for part 4 blocking / joining squares and part 5 crocheting border ! Please can you let me know when they are available ?
    thankyou
    Jan

  11. I love your quilt/crochet topper. It is amazing. I just signed up for your blog. Just want to make sure I haven’t missed the crochet tutorial.

    Thanks so much,
    Pat P.

  12. Thank you for the lovely tutorial for the High Tea Crochet quilt. I have been waiting expectantly over the past few months for the follow up on how to join the squares together. Please, please could you post it? I have crocheted all the surrounds and find I have no clue how to continue. I see others are also keen to see the follow up. Thanks in advance. Annie Brown

  13. Thank you for your tutorial, I am starting a patchwork and quilting class in September so plan to make this fusion quilt my first project!
    Warm wishes, Maxine

  14. Hi Tiffany, I apologize for using the comment section to contact you but could not locate an email addy for you. I have a request regarding the High Tea Crochet Quilt Fusion project. I am a member of The New Quilt Talk Yahoo group. Several of the members have expressed an interest in making a quilt similar to yours. I wish to create an album on the group for them to put pictures of their project. May I use a picture of your beautiful quilt as the cover for the album? Thank you, Lana

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