It's spring - even on the calendar now - and I'm enjoying the fresh breezes (when it's not a gale!) And the flowering trees and bushes. We're having a quilt show in May for the first time since 2019. I'm even enjoying the rush toward that.
Quilt Fest - last 2 groups - maybe I'm getting tired of answering or maybe I never saw anyone else's answer of these - at any rate - let's finish it off!!
Most Loved Quilt: Now that's a hard one. I love Holiday / Seasonal quilts because each year when you get them out to display, it feels like seeing an old friend again! I actually forget about them between seasons! Yeah, I'm worried a little about that too!
But I do have my 'comfort' quilts too. For the last few years it's been "Shhh - it's low volume" This quilt was shown on the web. A quilter in a Scandinavian country was making it - I had to have it!! I'd been collecting neutrals "Beige-ings" is the nick-name for them. And 'conversation' prints - their name before 'text' fabric, Anyway, I loved adding my few bright fabrics for the pluses. And collecting brights for the next ...
It's been my extra quilt on my bed for a couple of years now.
Quilts in the Wild: I never saw anyone's post to this prompt. But ironically, when I give away quilts that have been languishing in the closet - I call it "releasing them into the wild!"
New Skill: I wish I could say it's organization! But, alas, still trying to correct bad habits - unfortunately, ignoring resolutions is one of my bad habits!!
Whoops: Over the years, I have to say I have not gotten better at actual counting during prep work!! What does that mean, you ask?
I'm famous for having twice the number or half the number of components needed!! I think it all comes down to dividing the block into the sub-units and then getting the 'blocks' counts mixed up. I just go with it, grumble when I'm under and giving the extra away when I don't feel like making another one with them!
Binding Technique: Boy, I'm struggling with this right now. My Janome, after a decade, bit the dust during COVID. It had the best little stitch to machine bind. It took a 'divot' to the left; a stitch forward; and a divot to the right ... repeat. It made a sturdy hem stitch which was very forgiving - it didn't create a solid line, it was softer to the eye. My new Ever Sewn Quilters' Edition has many things going for it, but not this stitch. Darn! I'm trying to find a replacement I can live with.
Current WIP: Oh boy, I'm in a mess with this one. I have 5 family quilts planned for this year - 3 tops are finished and 2 almost so - (one is in time out!) And only one is going to be quilted by a long-armer. How I'm going to get those other quilted and out, well I'm still pondering that.
Texture: I get my Texture fix from wool applique and simple embellishments. I love doing that, but I back away from 'fussy' techniques. Partly because my hands have become problematic at 69 years old. I can't hold small parts securely anymore - so working with a large amount of - let's say, ruching is problematic.
Favorite Finish: I love making Quilts of Valor, a national association. (QOVf.org) I love seeing 80 yr old veterans looking like they are going to start jumping up and down like a 3 yr old when they receive their quilt. I'm an active member of our local chapter and usually make 2 QOV quilts a year. It feels like you are actually making a difference in somebody's life. I won't start preaching their cause, but check into it - it makes such a difference in someone else's life and in yours!
Must Make: While, once again, following some program to organize the chaos that is my sewing room ... I admitted to hundreds of WIPs. A WIP is a quilt in progress. Although, in this case, they counted projects that you have the supplies, or the pattern worked out, or you've become obsessed with even if not a stitch has happened yet. So I claimed all the ones on my extensive lists (I love a good list!) but I did explain I didn't count all the ones on my Pinterest Pages!!
Right now I'm inactively working on(!?) Monkey Business by Bonnie Hunter; StashLab strip projects; several quilts in line for quilting; #scrapsnap - 4 color sets cut; new small holiday wall quilts for the gallery wall ... but wait - there's more!!!
And Many Many UFOs too!
Favorite Post: I love the small modern quilts people are making and often selling on IG. I started "ModQuad" 6 years ago. A local group of quilters exploring the modern quilt techniques. And I love the graphic statement a quilt can make - always have.
Thanks for putting up with me waxing poetic about my life in Quilting. I hope I'm 'preaching to the choir'. I can't imagine it not in my life. My kids complain about being buried in quilts. But I was told the baby quilts are still hauled out when we're not feeling good.
When my DS & family were in Panama for two years, their storage unit was destroyed by the Almeda Fire. They lost 27 quilts. Does anyone that isn't a quilter or isn't related to a quilter even have 27 quilts? I replaced 5 of them last year to welcome them back home.
Quilting keeps your mind busy - and no, I'm not referring to that 'where did I put my scissors' problem! Creating and organizing ideas; putting ideas into action; involving all levels of the brain - it's got to be good for you. Being that involved in life. Not just sitting like a bump on the couch. Although, we do do plenty of sitting too! It has been a good life. People I love know I love them - they have proof in the quilt gifts. People I hang out with share my interests. We always have something on the burner and are busy sewing, laughing and living. How can you resist? I can't!!
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