A Finished Quilt

This quilt began as some small practice squares.  I was working with the flip and stitch technique and trying out some different colors (for me).  My son liked them and gave me some nice, positive feedback, so I decided to see if I could put them into a quilt arrangement.  The quilt is approximately 34.5 inches by 34.5 inches.

I have named the quilt, "Learning Curve Sampler".  The quilt was truly an exercise in working with this particular technique, including trying to make spirals with it.  The pieced inner border was something new that I tried, as well.  Usually I hand quilt all my work, but on this quilt, I began to try and develop machine skills.  I am quite happy with it.  I used the new bamboo batting and it is quite warm.

Here is another picture with a funny kitty named Louis.

Keep quilting in peace and happy stitches.

A Lesson from the Quilt

In my last post I wrote about why I quilt.  I also wrote about how, at times, I try and make the quilt do something and, at other times, the quilt tells me!

The block I have been working on is a good example.  I had some nice, dark red cranberry colored perl cotton and thought it would be a good contrast color on the block.  I thought it would be great; however, the block had something different to say.  In fact, the more I looked at the block, the more it screamed to me, "Get this darn cranberry color off of me!!!"

Finally, after several attempts to salvage the motif with the cranberry red, I gave in and listened to the block.  The block was right, the red had to go.  The block was telling me that, although some of the green fabrics were quite dark, the embellishment and stitching I had chosen were more delicate.  The cranberry red was a contrast to the rest of the block, but it was much too harsh, nor was it tied in to the rest of the design.   The softer pinkish red used for small french knots was a much better choice. I think the lesson for me to learn from this is to let go of what I think should be happening, and trust what the quilt, or in this case, the block is telling me.

So, last night, I took out the dark cranberry red, let the block sigh a deep sigh of relief, and began remaking that section of embellishment.  Keep quilting in peace and happiness!

Why Do You Quilt?

Why do you quilt?  That's a question I frequently ask myself.  Sometimes, when I tell people that I am a quilter, I joke that it is my therapy.  But, that is really only a half-hearted joke.  Quilting relaxes me and allows my right brain a chance to take over, quieting that judgmental, over-talkative left side.  It seems to give my whole being a chance to just kick back, relax, and release all of the tension that accumulates during my working day.

I also quilt because I love the medium so much.  When I make a quilt, I try to make it as beautiful as possible, which is an artistic motivation.  But quilts are more than beautiful objects, the way that a painting or drawing is.  Quilts are tactile.  A beautiful quilt makes you want to reach out and touch it, to fondle it, and trace the lines and shapes with your finger tips.  When you make a quilt for someone, you give them, not only a gift of beauty, but of comfort and warmth, as well.

I also love the process of  making a quilt: designing it, piecing and stitching it, making the sandwich, quilting it, and adding the binding.  I love the way I start out making a quilt, and how the quilt frequently has its own ideas about how it should develop.  I have learned that there are times I have to stop trying to tell the quilt what to do and listen to the quilt.  If I listen carefully, the quilt will tell me what it needs.

These are my answers to the question "Why do you quilt?"  Could they, perhaps, be your answers, too?

Having Some Fun

Well, I've been  busy bee, learning more new things about blogging.  I'd give myself a big pat on the back for managing to post the blogs I currently follow on this blog, except that it only took me several days to figure it out!!!  Once the light bulb finally went on over my head, it was very easy.  It just takes me awhile.

Here is a picture of something that took me a lot less time.  I have painted and stenciled fabric almost from the time I began quilting, but I never tried painting thread before.  So, yesterday, I measured and cut some #8 DMC pearl cotton into six foot lengths.  I bundled them into little skeins and got out some paints.  I used  Jacquard fabric paints and a small brush.  I wet each skein (unknotted) and mixed my paints on a paper plate, then went to town dabbing the paint on with the small brush.  They turned out nicely variegated by using more or less paint.

When the skeins were dry, I was disappointed to find them very stiff; however, by running them through my fingers several times, they began to soften up.  Pictured below are some french knots and a length of thread that I have already used.  The threads were actually very soft to work with by then.  I was very happy with the results and had a great time painting them.  hope you enjoy seeing them as much as I enjoyed painting them.

Finally!

Well, I've known for some time that I was not the Einstein of the tech world, but 4 hours of trying to get this blog up and running was certainly a humbling experience. But, after much wailing and gnashing of teeth, here I am: Ta-Daaahhhh!

It seems as though it is always the easiest things that trip me up when I am trying to do something on the computer. I always seem to have the gist of the larger process, but when it comes to the small details to actually get the job done, there is always some little step that I forgot, because I haven't done it often enough, or some little step, like clicking on an icon, that I am unaware of. Of course, this leads to having to put on some soothing music, make a fresh cup of decaf (can't have full strength or might just whip the laptop across the room!), try again, and finally take a break. After doing some household chores, I return and presto! Somewhere in the dark recesses of my tired brain, the solution comes. I have lift off, Houston!

Blogging seems like a good fit for me. I am a special education teacher, specializing in Early Childhood Education. Many years of my career have been spent earning my living by evaluating children for developmental delays and writing reports. I enjoy writing and am eager to use my skills to chat about my other passion in life: working with fabric and threads.

Above is a picture of a current block in progress. The fabric that inspired the block is made from a digital photo I took and printed on fabric. The photo printed on fabric was then enhanced with colored pencils. I am working on the embellishments now, as you can see in the picture. I hope to make three more blocks using digital photos printed on fabric as inspiration. The four blocks are to be finished separately and may be hung as a grouping.

One of the blogs I follow is Diane Gaudynski's. I am in awe of her ability to create true works of art with her sewing machine. When reading her website or her blog, one can easily see that she is not only a fantastically talented artist, but a fine, generous human being, as well. I love the encouragement she gives to her students and readers: "Keep quilting. You are getting better every day." That has become my mantra and I pass it on to you, in peace, as well.