SPRINGING FORWARD

I'm trying to embrace the Spring season, but it is hard for me in my quilt life.  I am such a Winter person, and working with pastels and/or high-contrast, ditsy florals is not in my aesthetic (or in my scrap bins).  So, a Spring quilt is not always my most successful work!  This year I really seemed to lack enthusiasm, but this is my current effort.  Maybe next Spring I'll try again; but for now I will be going back into my quilt comfort zone!!

This quilt is based loosely on the milky way pattern from the Ladies Art Company in 1928.  It is an easy pattern once you figure out where the light, medium, and dark fabrics belong to bring out the tessellation pattern.  It is easy to sew together as only squares and half-square triangle units are involved.

THE STATS: Springing Forward, 2024, 27"x27", Machine pieced, machine quilted.

FRUGALITY

Patchwork was born out of necessity and frugality using bits and pieces of old clothing and scraps to produce an item of warmth.  There are some wonderful books that document the history of quiltmaking from the beginning to our current large industry that supports the creative aspect of the fiber arts.  One of my favorites about the history is  "The American Quilt, a History of Cloth and Comfort  1750-1950" by Roderick Kiracofe.  

My personal quilt history includes being raised by three households of women who had just emerged from the 1930's great depression and World War II, and were greatly aware of frugality in all aspects of their lives.  That frugality, in addition to the creative aspect, has always been important in my journey learning to make quilts.  My first thought when designing a new quilt is what do I have on hand that I can use for the project without purchasing anything else.  As much as I love fabric, I'm not a very profitable consumer for the industry.  I never buy on speculation; only purchasing the smallest amount that is necessary to complete a project.  Whatever small scraps left from that purchase are saved to be included in a future quilt. 

So here we are --- my current quilt, called Frugality.  The block design comes from the 19th century, and was named Economy Patch.  I intended the setting to be larger in scale; but I relied on the fabric I had on hand, and there wasn't quite enough for my original plan.  So, I just made it smaller in order to satisfy my creative urges for the design.  It won't keep anyone warm, but I still like it! 

THE STATS:  Frugality, 2024, 21"x24", Paper pieced, Machine pieced, Machine quilted.

Below is my first quilt, made at age 11; and includes scraps of my grandmothers' dresses and aprons.

BROWNIE POINTS

To me, the equivalent in quilting to comfort food is the log cabin block in all of its variations.  I needed that comfort, so here is another variation of a quarter log cabin.  I've chosen 1/2-inch logs for a 4-inch block in browns and pinks.  In the interest of frugality, the border is composed of 15 strips of leftover pink scraps.

THE STATS:  Brownie Points, 2024,  26"X26", Paper pieced, Machine pieced, Machine quilted.  Number nerd reports 484 pieces in the top.

The best view of this quilt is up close looking at all of the different fabrics and shades of beige, brown, and pink.

In childhood long ago, I was a Brownie (the step before Girl Scouts).  I don't think I lasted very long; as they wanted to do all of those outdoorsy things, which I didn't find fun at all!  They must have felt sorry for me, and let me into Girl Scouts for a trial period!  At the very least, I hope I got BROWNIE POINTS for good behavior.  Amazing that I still have my two pins -- why? I don't know.

P.S.:  No surprise that I never earned any Girl Scout badges but I survived, even though I have eaten a few Girl Scout cookies over the years!

AROUND THE HOUSE

 The question has come up about what I do with all of the small quilts that I make.  

Maybe the question is more why I make them.  The answer --- it is my way of achieving 'self care'.  I have always enjoyed sewing and playing with fabric, and satisfying my creative urges by making quilts.  From design to the last stitch, making a quilt requires focus, patience, and some skill in sewing, understanding methods and machines, and even basic geometry.  I feel that the whole process is important to maintaining my mental acuity in my elder years.  In the past, I did make large, hand-quilted quilts; but now I need to make smaller ones completely on a domestic sewing machine because of my partial blindness and arthritic issues.  Hope that answers the 'why' question.

Since I appear to be prolific, the answer to the 'what' question is multifold.  I have always been interested in the process of the making of a quilt; and, not necessarily the product.  I have given away quilts as gifts or donations for a cause.  Others are stored for my family to disperse after I'm gone (sorry, kids).   To answer another question -- No, I have never/nor plan to personally sell any quilt. In the future, my family is free to do what they want.  There are other quilts that I have particularly enjoyed making or am pleased with the outcome that are pulled out of storage occasionally to display around the house, but only one or two at a time (my idea of airing the quilts!).  Storage, organization and documentation can be a nightmare involving three large cabinets plus the entire guest room closet, and does not include my fabric stash or photo files.

So, here are a few of the many quilts that have seen the light of day over the years around the house.

"Down the Rabbit Hole" -- 2021

"Boho Juxtaposition" -- 2021

"On Point" - 2021

"Tempo Two" -- 2021

"In Pursuit of Plaid"  -- 2021

Doll Quilts in Child's Cupboard -- 2021

"Puzzle Putzing" -- 2023

"Gathering Wool" -- 2018

"Sailor's Delight" -- 2022

"Chocolate Covered Cherries" -  2000

"Going West" -- 2017

"Halloween" -- 2016

At our celebration in 2018 of our 60th wedding anniversary, we had 30 tables covered in small quilts with fresh flowers in wooden boxes.  Here are two of them.

"Crazy Quilt" -- 2016

"Juxtaposition"  -- 2018

And, currently in our living room --

"Skyview"  2024

This is probably more info than you really wanted.  I have never been short of words or pictures when talking about my quilt life.

"Merry Go Round" -- 2015

BARN TOUR

It's not a secret that I love old barns, especially the juxtaposition of a quilt photographed against a barn.  Starting in 1991, when I photographed my first barn with a quilt, I constantly have had my eye out for barns that are a possible photo opportunity.  My trouble is that we are older with limited mobility issues, and access on public property to view a barn is not usually available.  The great old barns are normally on private property, and access not available without permission.

In all of the years, these are the only ones I have managed to photograph.

All quilts were designed, made, and photographed by me.

"Starshine"  The location --- 1876 Haines
Homestead, Otero County

"Treasure Trove"   The location --
Holy Cross Abbey, Canon City

"Rising Star"   The location -- Costilla County

"Apex"  The location -- Goodnight Barn
Pueblo County

"Good Cheer"  The location --
Pear and Field, Canon City

"Stardust"  The location --- Red
Canyon Road, Fremont County

There was a barn that I really wanted to photograph --the one on my family's original farm dating from the early 1900s.  The Haines family lived on that farm from early 1900s until 1961.  I grew up there.  We found out who owns the farm now, and obtained permission to photograph the barn (also known to us as the onion house).  But, we found that the barn of my youth was being remodeled into a future residence.  The outside changes sadden me, and I just couldn't photograph it with a treasured quilt.  However, the old grain elevator on the property still remained as I remembered it.  I switched focus, and photographed it instead.  After all, it was a barn for storing grain!

"Starstruck"  The location -- 1900 Haines
Family Farm, Otero County

Now that it is Spring, we will be out and about looking for barns to be photographed with the quilts.  The search keeps us young, if only in spirit!