This super simple top was the first one I wanted to attempt with these fabrics.

I used a combination of Donna Jordan’s video and a pattern I had seen a while ago that used these kinds of fabrics with huge prints —Shenandoah. I actually wasn’t looking at the pattern when I worked on it - I had just remembered it.

I won’t be writing a pattern for this - just use what Donna showed you here - it is quite easy. Obviously I adjusted things so that it worked with yardage instead of a panel. I did make my pieces shorter by 2.5” each - I see that maybe 3” would even be better. I did use a cut 1.5” blue strip in between the rows so that the finished blue strip is only 1”. I could have gone up to a 2” strip (cut)…would have looked fine as well

How is the fabric to work with? This fabric feels a little bit like a nonwoven - it is so different. I know it isn’t, though - as that doesn’t tear. Many places that I bought fabric, they tore it - so I knew it is a woven fabric - though I really don’t know what it is made of. The blue is cotton - the print is a lot of “non cotton” .

I was able to press it no problem. I was afraid I would melt it, though. Instead I just turned the iron down so it wasn’t so hot and went with it.

I had enough of “Kyrgyzstan” after working on this quilt top for a while, so I put the fabric away. I think I’ll save these for working on on the weekends.

(or not!)

I’m still thinking about what I can do, but for now I am trying to finish up the blues. I will probably do a Show Off type quilt with the prints I bought as one of the next quilts I make. I also started collecting animal prints of animals that they have so I can make one of those from that region.

I do not know how I am going to quilt it - I’ll let it rest for a while in the back of my brain and think about other things. By then maybe I’ll have an inspiration. Often that happens. Sometimes it doesn’t though - sometimes I just have to make a decision about how to quilt because I tell myself it’s time to start quilting - “whatcha gonna do"?

When I get a few of these made, I’ll make up a page so we can keep track of what I’m doing with them all like I’m doing with my upcycled blues and 2” strips quilts. I did bring a limited amount of fabric with me, so there won’t be an unending supply of these. Once I did see that they can buy solids over there, however, in various colors, I didn’t worry about trying to buy all the solids I need to use with these - I’ll substitute Polish solids and call it fine.

Both the blue fabric and the red are directly from the market there in Bishkek. The blue is all cotton but the red is not all cotton.

And now you know! Have a great day!

Be sure to check out what my sis has for you in the store!