Here’s What I’ve Been Up To
I started quilting in 1984, and also started collecting fabrics! In the beginning I was mostly doing traditionally based things, but with a slant toward something a little different, artsy, maybe. Fabrics were pretty calico-y for the most part, back then. Some of the stuff I bought then is still on the shelf today taking up valuable space. Those fabrics will never fit into the things I am doing now and more desirable fabrics are living on a chair for want of shelf space. The sensible thing to do is to get rid of some of that old stuff so I decided to make some charity quilts for my guild. They are always asking for kid’s quilts. One of the agencies is for the homeless population and every child gets their own quilt.
For some reason, probably because it wasn’t calico, I bought this whole line and have, over the years, only used a little of it. There was enough to end up with this almost twin size quilt that a teenager might like. Four different black and whites will make up the back and this is next in line to be machine quilted.
These are smaller, baby or toddler size. The smaller one on the top features a red truck print along with an abstract which is also on the back. The one below that has a very old teddy bear print with plaid and an an early Virginia Robertson print with plaid and two orange prints on the back. The larger one started with the Noah’s Ark animal print and attempted to use up the leftovers from the preceding ones, with an African print on the back. It is quilted but still needs a binding.
This one started with an old circus print. The back is black and white stripes, I quilted it yesterday, and have yet to bind it.
This endeavor was not fun. I did use up a lot of fabric, which was good, but not enough to warrant the time I spent away from what I enjoy doing. I don’t think I can stand to do anymore and will probably just donate some fabric so people who enjoy this sort of thing can use them. I do feel good about having some quilts to donate that I hope someone will enjoy, but that is time gone, that I will never get back, and I do have art quilts that I am anxious to work on!!
May 10th, 2013 at 12:07 pm
This sounds so familiar! After a period of doing exactly what I want to do (in this case my trip to China and then to the SAQA Santa Fe conference), I always feel compelled to do some charity work to appease my conscience. Our guild makes children’s quilts and walker totes all year, so I used up some fat quarter packets and made two CQs and cut up some (formerly) dress or curtain fabric for the walker totes. In fact, I’ve resolved to bring some (at least one) walker totes to each meeting the rest of the year. In addition to clearing out stored fabric, this kind of sewing can be pretty mindless, giving my creative brain a break.
I do sympathize with you about the offline problems–a real frustrating time! Hope everything is up and running and you are having spring weather with no more snow.
May 11th, 2013 at 6:52 am
Martha – Great to hear from you. I enjoyed reading about your trip to China.
I’ve been working on bindings for the little quilts, still have to layer and quilt the big one. It IS a nice thing to do, but I’m itching to do something FUN!