a few weeks ago i was lucky enough to have been given a box of fabric. i found these near the bottom. the handwork in these blocks is fabulous and i only wish i could meet the person who patiently made these. i am not sure what these are; they sure have engaged me though. i was in the right place at the right time i guess, which reinforces my belief that there's a reason for everything. has anybody ever attempted to make something like this?

wow!

Wow is right!

It looks like Hmong reverse applique.........

WOW!!! Those are beautiful!!!
Is the fabric printed in that pattern? It doesn't look appliqued, but it could just be my "old" eyes...

I triple the wow!

it is all freehand that i can tell, nothing printed on the fabric. on the front the stitches look like tiny dots. i can't figure out how they did this. it almost looks impossible!

when i first saw these, i thought it was possible that they were reverse applique, but after much inspection, i ruled that out. the darker blue fabric looks as though it is folded over--there aren't any raw edges either! has me totally stumped!!!

It is Vietnamese applique....here is a picture of an identical pattern, different color:

http://www.wildflowersewingstudio.com/classics.htm

wow, that's awesome! thanks!!!!! now where do i learn HOW to DO that???????

WOW!! That's awesome!!

I puchased several pieces like that from a vendor at the Lancaster Quilt Show. They are there everyyear with similar work. They are oriental but I don't know from what country.

wow wow

OK, for all of you that thought my avatar was amazing, now you know what REAL reverse applique looks like, this is done needle turn. I am more the cut and run type.

Those blocks are absolutely gorgeous.

Wow!!!!!!!!!!

Fascinating!!!
Very interesting!!

Yep, that is exactly what it looks like.

Wow, those are beautiful. What are you going to do with them.

not sure, probably build a quilt around them, what do you think?

Maybe you could add to them with your own design....really lovely technique. Perhaps an internet and library search could prove fruitful.

Wow - incredible.

Oh, they are beautiful!! I've never seen anything like that.

That is awesome! Do you know of any Vietnamese people or where there are any socials such as a church? I'm sure there would be someone there that can help you!

I'm speechless, awesome!

I have 4 similar blocks that I just 're-found' in my stash this weekend..wondering myself what to do with them - mine are all different - and not even all the same colors...I agree - the workmanship is incredible, but just couldn't figure out what to do with them...

I have a couple of similar pieces purchased from a shop that carries hand made items from the Hmong people. I will never even attempt such a thing, I'll just admire it!

I have to agree with that!!

Nancy Zieman had a show on with the Vietnamese style- Hmong, which is what this is.

I was blown away by it! If you can track down that show- watch it. The history is awesome.

You have genuine works of art! I'd put them under glass and frame them for display!

Oh, my my my. How beautiful. I would have felt like it was Christmas. I am so glad you saved them. Wow!

I too would have them properly framed! What a treasure!

I too say "WOW"

Now THAT is an "ooooooo and ahhhhhhhhhh" piece!

Yes, they seem to be reverse applique. The Panamanian people of the San Blas islands also make a type of this and they're called "molas".

BEAUTIFUL!!!!

I have never tried anything like that! but I sure could figure out how to!

it looks like it must be needle turned. the space between the blue is exactly the same width as two seam allowances. if you were to fold the fabric in four, or eight in this case then you could cut the pattern and then unfold, lay it back out, at this point the cuts could touch. pin or baste the thing down and then carefuly needle turn each strip.

that is how I see it being done and how I would attempt to do one myself.

Wow!!!!

Yes, many years ago I saw something similar and the person who had it said it is Indonesian work. It is usually made in bright colors that contrast, but everything is done by hand! That's why I wont try it! I only do things that I can do with my machine. Quite lazy I am!

Wow! Such talent!

these are beautiful, first ones i've ever seen . :mrgreen:

Just a thought, but something you could do with these if you don't want to use them in a quilt of your own is to frame them. Especially if you've also found smaller sizes, a mix of sizes on the wall would look stunning.