54-40 or Fight - for Project QUILTING 14.3
I was seriously moaning and complaining when I learned the theme for the Project Quilting 14.3 challenge, "54-40 or Fight" quilt block. Although I remembered the historical battle cry from a distant US History class WAY back in college, the actual block was a mystery. After researching the design, I was still uninspired.
I entertained thoughts of relating it to the current Ukrainian war with their blue and gold country colors. The small blocks could be embroidered with the many organizations and countries that are supporting that nation. I pondered using red, white and blue to represent the original meaning of the block. That was to start a war with Great Britain if the border to Oregon Territory could not be reached. Both options would represent this challenge but our gloomy Michigan winter weather didn’t seem quite right for this.
Monday I walked into my studio and a very small leftover fabric just called to me...FRUIT LADIES for the win! This fabric is from Elizabeth’s Studio’s LLC. This fun summertime fabric would bring brightness and thoughts of summer to our cold, snowy conditions. I pulled some Island Batik fabrics that coordinated then created freezer paper piecing patterns to get started.
Piecing for the "54-40 or Fight" quilt blocks moved along quickly and accurately with the freezer paper piecing for the yellow and strip piecing on the yellow. The fruit ladies take center stage with precise points and matched seams.
Quilting on my BERNINA 790 Plus with a 97D presser foot that uses BERNINA’s Dual Feed system. This keeps the quilt sandwich, backing, batting and quilt block, from shifting as it is stitched. The 1/8” guide on the foot helps keep the quilting accurate.
Quilting is completed and mug rug/snack mats or ready for binding.
Fruit Lady snack mats with the 54-40 or Fight quilt block are completed. The backing fabric is Island Batik and the batting is Hobbs 80/20.
Some close up shots of the completed mug rugs featuring the Fruit Lady fabric and Island Batiks.
The 54-40 or Fight challenge is coupleted. The two mini quilts finished approximately 9-1/2” X 9-1/2””. Look for this work and others in my Etsy Shop.
Published by Sally Manke, Fiber Artist
Sally Manke's mission is to delight others with textile art that exemplifies her passion for joyful, creative expression through color and texture. She is a speaker, teacher, pattern designer, and fiber artist. Contact her to book a workshop or trunk show at this link.lose up photos of the bound mug rugs and the delightful Fruit Ladies.