I have been quilting for about ten years, seriously for the last five. Being self taught, I have spent a lot of time, learning how to piece, applique by machine and by hand , and hand quilt. When I started out, my intention was to make some quilts to use around the house, so I decided machine quilting would be the way to go.
But as I was learning, it occurred to me that the hand work was what I enjoyed most. I find that running that needle thru the fabric is so much more than that. It gives me time to think, clear my head, and express my creative side.
Christmas 2011 we decided to take a Christmas Journey to visit my sister and family in Illinois and my inlaws in Tennessee. When we had visited my inlaws earlier in October we realized that my fil was really not doing so well. So as Christmas approached we decided to visit him and also stopped in Illinois to see my sister and her family. I had purchased the book Traditional Red and Green Quilts by Jeana Kimball, and decided that I would visit a couple of quilt shops along the way and collect some fabrics to make this quilt.
In February of 2012 my father in law passed away. When we got back from the funeral, I started working on my red and green traditional quilt. I chose blocks out of the book that seemed to relate to my journey thru life. The flimsie went into the closet waiting it's turn to be quilted. This fall the quilt came out of the closet and was marked and quilted. As I was quilting it, I often thought about that Christmas journey that we took and realized that this quilt would be very special to me, and decided to name it Christmas Journey. I finally understand why I love quilts. When I look at antique quilts, I am pulled in to the point that I want to study every stitch. That trail of thread is someone's life, their journey it reflects their life. Quilts are art, they are a journal, they are therapy, and oh so wonderful to wrap up in and enjoy and share. I love putting my heart and soul into them! A label is a way of letting others know the quilt's story, it is those stories that make them special. So this morning my slow stitches were attaching this label:
But as I was learning, it occurred to me that the hand work was what I enjoyed most. I find that running that needle thru the fabric is so much more than that. It gives me time to think, clear my head, and express my creative side.
Christmas 2011 we decided to take a Christmas Journey to visit my sister and family in Illinois and my inlaws in Tennessee. When we had visited my inlaws earlier in October we realized that my fil was really not doing so well. So as Christmas approached we decided to visit him and also stopped in Illinois to see my sister and her family. I had purchased the book Traditional Red and Green Quilts by Jeana Kimball, and decided that I would visit a couple of quilt shops along the way and collect some fabrics to make this quilt.
In February of 2012 my father in law passed away. When we got back from the funeral, I started working on my red and green traditional quilt. I chose blocks out of the book that seemed to relate to my journey thru life. The flimsie went into the closet waiting it's turn to be quilted. This fall the quilt came out of the closet and was marked and quilted. As I was quilting it, I often thought about that Christmas journey that we took and realized that this quilt would be very special to me, and decided to name it Christmas Journey. I finally understand why I love quilts. When I look at antique quilts, I am pulled in to the point that I want to study every stitch. That trail of thread is someone's life, their journey it reflects their life. Quilts are art, they are a journal, they are therapy, and oh so wonderful to wrap up in and enjoy and share. I love putting my heart and soul into them! A label is a way of letting others know the quilt's story, it is those stories that make them special. So this morning my slow stitches were attaching this label:
Even Max knows this quilt is special! He jumped up on the chair as I hung the quilt over the back of it. I just had to take a pic of him donning his Christmas attire.
love the red and green :) of course I better seeing as I am making one too - do you have a photo of the whole quilt or not yet. I too used Jeanna's book and one other for the blocks that I used.
ReplyDeleteWe should both do a post of the celebrate hand quilting when we finish. I hope to have the binding fabric arrive tomorrow as soon as I get the binding made and sewn on I hope will do a post, of the whole quilt. I agree you can't go wrong with red and green!
Deleteyes after i get the quilt bound I will put it on Celebrate Hand Quilting again - I sure hope none of my colors bleed! they were prewash - but I have a bad feeling on some of those reds - I will be using plenty of water and a lot of color catchers
DeleteKaren, As I was sewing the binding on this am, I was thinking the same thing! I am so glad I prewashed but reds are notorious, I definitely will be using color catchers also.
DeleteI have so enjoyed watching your progress on your Christmas Journey. It is beautiful! Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThank you, I am so glad that you have enjoyed the journey also. So hoping the big reveal will happen this coming week.
DeleteGreat story. Beautiful quilt. And Max looks quite regal!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Pam! Max is a very spoiled dog, he found his way into our hearts shortly after our last child left home. We are so thankful we have him!
DeleteWhat a lovely story to go with a lovely quilt.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I am looking forward to a new project and can't wait to see what develops out of RSC.
DeleteHow do you print out a label like that?? LOVE slow stitching... finished a project today and waiting for daylight to show the GRAND reveal :) Hope your binding comes so we can see your big finish... love the sentiment you put into your label Carla :) Kathi
ReplyDeleteIt is pretty easy. I just iron a piece of fabric to a sheet of freezer paper and run it thru my printer. I hope my binding fabric shows up tomorrow too! I really want to finish this one up.
DeleteA beautiful post. It was antique quilts that inspired me to start quilting. I love reading the stories about quilts
ReplyDeleteThey have always been my inspiration. I always wonder about the story behind the quilt and am amazed that they could make such wonderful beauties without all the gadgets that we use today!
DeleteWhat a beautiful story Carla! And that quilt will be a treasure for many years to come :*)
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing that stopping at a couple of quilt shops on a trip, really helped to keep that memory alive. Now that quilt will continue to do that!
DeleteWhat a lovely story Carla. Its good to see that you have put it all down on the label as well. It will always be there in years to come and people will know why the quilt was made. Very special.
ReplyDeleteYes, I believe labels are important too! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteNot sure what happened to my first comment ... so I'll try again. ;-) That's just a beautiful story about what I'm sure will be an equally beautiful quilt ... one I just cannot wait to see! (You've inspired me to start labeling my quilts!)
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are now considering adding a label.
DeleteLove the red and green quilt. I am thinking about making one after the first of the year.
ReplyDeleteKathleen
http://kathysnest32.wordpress.com/
You can't go wrong with red and green! I will continue working on my Baltimore Garden quilt this next summer. It is much more complicated, but I love applique.
DeleteA beautiful label for a wonderful quilt! It is so important to document this information. We think we will always remember, but we don't. Thanks for linking up!
ReplyDeleteI have labeled most of my later quilts, a few of the earlier ones I wish I had at least put the year on them. Live and learn!
DeleteI love this post. I made all of the blocks for a Baltimore Album quilt while my son was in Afghanistan. I literally buried my head in fabric, trying to deal with the stress. When I finally do the handquilting, it will be very emotional.
ReplyDeleteOh I feel for you not easy to have a son in a war zone. So glad you found your stitching to help you thru. Hope he has returned safely and know that his sacrifice is appreciated!
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