Whaaaat? What's this big machine and bunch of fabric? It has been almost NINE MONTHS since I made the backing for the Vintage quilt and even longer since I started the whole project. Instead of piecing a new quilt I thought I'd better get this one off the UFO list. I've had the Vintage quilt staring at me in my workshop for so many months and even though it was already basted and ready to go, I just wasn't in the right frame of mind to quilt it. I have been watching videos recently, like THIS free-motion quilting one by Stephanie Palmer (of the Quilter's Planner). Stephanie uses a Sweet 16 in this series and just hearing the sound of it got me wanting to use mine. I was intimidated to begin and spent a day or two cleaning the studio, getting my Sweet 16 cleaned, oiled, and threaded and also did some practice stitching. Funny, it's like riding a bike and I was able to get right back in the groove.
I'm about 1/3 of the way done and it's going quickly because I chose to keep things fast and simple and do a loop-de-loop design. I debated creating some custom quilting on the blocks, perhaps outlining the 'Xs' and densely stippling the white background to make the Xs pop, but you know, in the end, my kids hate my quilts that are densely quilted. They tease me that they are like cardboard and those quilts don't get used. I have plenty of 'show off' pieces with lovely quilting but the ones that get pulled onto the couch are soft and cuddly. At this point in my creative sewing journey I feel I have proven myself to myself and I really just want to enjoy the process, have fun using the machines I love, and utilize the quilts I make.
I am down to 2 UFOs sitting on a vintage machine cabinet in my room, the beautiful strip piecing I did on my Featherweight way back in March and the Piece of Cake {2} quilt top from April (I have backing fabric ready but it's not been pieced). I will still have finishing to do on the Vintage and much to tackle with the other two projects, but I feel like I'm 'back' and motivated after my months-long break from sewing. Sometimes creativity needs rest to rejuvenate itself and the mind needs to be in the right space to free itself. It has been a year with sadness for me, reflection and change. I'm starting to emerge from the old 'normal' to this new phase of my life and finding joy once again in those activities I love. Once I get over that initial inertia and start anew, whether it be getting caught up with scrapbooking, experimenting with cooking, enjoying fitness, or stitching on a beloved sewing machine, I'm enveloped with passion and enthusiasm, excitement and drive to keep going!
I just went to send you a message because after a loooong hiatus I finally am quilting again! I had a preggo coworker so had to make a baby quilt, then saw my Ocean Waves sadly lumped into the corner and thought, NOW is the time I have to quilt this. I just hadn't felt ready. I'm doing lots of feathers and it's going well so far. I have missed quilting. Your quilting is looking very good there!
Posted by: Maureen | February 07, 2017 at 11:34 PM