PUZZLE PUTZING

I designed this pattern for my book, "Traditional Two Block Quilts", back in 2004; and I have wanted to adapt the pattern into a table runner for some time.  This was a quick project for a gift.

THE STATS:  "Puzzle Putzing", 2023, 14"x34", Machine pieced, Machine quilted.

The original quilt, "Persian Puzzle", and the book:

BENTO BOX

I have been anxious to start a quilt using fabric fat quarters that I recently purchased.  Some are from Tone Finnanger's Tilda collection.  Others are fabrics with a similar look.  A variation of the traditional 'Drunkard's Path' block works with the fabrics.

The quilt seems to me to have a Japanese look; so I named it Bento Box. Years ago, I made a quilt from 1930s reproduction fabrics using black as an accent to the pastels.  The look still appeals to me.

THE STATS:  "Bento Box", 2023, 34"x34", Machine appliqued, Machine pieced, Machine quilted.

Owned by Caitlin Cosat Masters

MY FAVORITE QUILT

I think I am considered a prolific, dedicated quiltmaker.    The numbers if anyone cares -- over the years since 1951, I have documented and photographed 208 quilts, including 31 made in 2022 alone.  Of the un-documented items there are several more quilts gone as gifts and with the ravages of time.  All this is said to explain that I am, however,  a 'process' not a 'product' quilter.  It is the creative and mathematical PROCESS I'm interested in and not the end result.  Once they are completed and photographed, I rarely touch them again.  My mind, for some reason, is wired by some geometrist's love of shapes and how they interact; and that is why I have quilted for 70+ years.

I'm often asked if I have a favorite quilt that I have made.  The answer may be a surprise.  Since the stored quilts are rarely used, the one I grab when I'm cold (the obvious normal reason for making a quilt) and therefore my favorite is this unnamed and totally unexciting one.

It's simple and made of wool lined in flannel for warmth and totally made by machine. It also appeals to my frugal nature made of thrifted wool, washed and felted, and is lap-sized.  It will be the one quilt that goes to the nursing home with me when the time comes.  The rest of those surviving quilts; all of those time-consuming, intricate, with hand-work quilts will be up to the discretion of my family to disperse.

I'm keeping this one.  

And, that is my story!!!

  

CODE BREAKER

 You never know what inspiration for a quilt might be.  This was on the back of my morning Cheerio box.

 The design of this quilt, however, turned down a different road because inspiration often just spurs my thought processes further.  

  

I find that if I don't quilt at least a little every day, I get 'out of sorts'.  The pre-Christmas projects were done, and I had about 10 days until the holiday.  This is what you make when you can't get to the quilt store for an infusion of fabric and you scrounge in your stash for every suitable scrap and strip.

   I figured nothing better with plaid than the color of blue denim. 

One of the math brains in my family, at first glance at this quilt, was trying to figure out the code I used.  Sorry, no code just an old-school quilter using the 'grab and sew' method. 

This is a good (or bad) example of quiltmaking to the excess.  There are about 390 pieces in a 36" square of random patchwork selected from available in-house scraps.  For my frugal nature, this creative activity was very appealing. With me it's always the process, not the outcome!

THE STATS:  "Code Breaker", 2023, 36"x 36", Machine pieced, machine quilted.