Alphabets & Sheep!!

If you say these two words in the quilting community, everyone automatically knows you are talking about Janet Stone.

There is currently a lovely display of all 26 of her Alphabet Quilts at the National Quilt Museum, and I had the opportunity to browse when I was in Paducah.

I always wondered why Janet fixated on Alphabets, and now I know…..

THIS was her VERY FIRST alphabet quilt….

Such a FUN name to start off this amazing project!!

This is #26…her last one….

Many of them are very similar in style….Letters and Sheep, but they all have ONE thing in common…. they are technically PERFECT!!

Just look at the intricate quilting and applique on the border of “Crazy For Ewe”….

This one had us all scratching our heads to figure out the alphabet blocks….

After several tries at working through the alphabet, the onlookers finally realized that the I & J are together in one block!!

My question…..HOW did she ever come up with this idea!!

The “cuteness” factor in this one appealed to me greatly…

This one was gorgeous….with the Americana look to it…..

But, here is the BACK of that quilt…..

Now, you may wonder HOW you can see the letters in the correct orientation, even though this is the back….. here is the explanation…..

Oh my…. I would never THINK about doing this and certainly wouldn’t have the patience to pull it off!!

Here is an example…. “N” on the front…..

…..and “N” on the back…..

One wonders where her next inspiration will come from. I can’t wait to see!!

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The other outstanding thing about her quilts was her finishing techniques….. come back tomorrow and we will explore those more!!