A Quilt Story : :

Even though this quilt is not yet quilted and bound, I couldn't wait to share it! I like to think that most of the things I've made have a special story. Most of the time it's just my own, for only me to know. I'll share my favorite photos, of course the fabrics, who designed them and where they came from, but rarely why it was made, which is perhaps the most important part. Unfortunately I have a hard time with that, with taking the time to explain myself and letting go of that worry of sounding silly. The truth is, none of these things we make are just fabric and thread. Our work is our labor of love and undoubtedly an extension of who we are. As woman, as mothers, and as creative people who want to take what we've made and share, give, pass on, sell, and teach this craft that we love. It's a beautiful thing, indeed!

This quilt has a story that's easy to tell, but long! So I'll save who it's for and why for when it's finished. Today, I want to share how special it's pieces are to me. Can you believe that parts of this quilt are from the very first quilt I ever tried to make -- voile, applique, embroidery, hand-work galore. Over ambitious, Yes!
I had big ideas as a new sewist and learned quickly that I had a lot to learn first! So, my first attempt at quilting got tucked away. I revisited it just a couple of time over these almost three years that I've been sewing. It's one of those extra special projects that never needed to be finished in a hurry anyways.

My first yoyo flowers -- photo dated  July 13, 2010  -- eep!!

This girl, that I realized yesterday I've called both a "sketch stitch" and a "stitch sketch," has been waiting to become something, as well. Another first attempt at something new, another something special of mine, unfinished and waiting. This little wip might be the best example of what I wanted to do when I began sewing. Besides making useful things for my family, I had thought of making nothing but patchwork handmade things with little thread drawings. A nice idea still?

Stitch Sketch wip --  photo dated March 20, 2012

Then there's this drawing that I did this past Summer. Intended always to be a part of a quilt idea I had, but never started. It makes me so happy to have used it as inspiration in finishing this special quilt.





The rest of this quilt is made up of a colorful, improv patchworking of all Anna Maria Horner fabrics, and a few neutral Pure Element solids, my favorite! I took my pictures this past Sunday morning, the sun was so bright and the backyard was full of shadows. Here's the best I could do for a full shot!



This is my very favorite!



Now before I send it off, all that's left is deciding on how I should quilt it -- by hand or machine?  
What would you do??

I'm leaning towards using the machine this morning, only because I'm so excited to see it all finally become a finished quilt!   ♥,  Maureen