The end of the year means two things: wrapping up current projects and planning projects for 2024. Sew Powerful purses are at the top of the 2024 list. But I cannot stop myself from starting new quilts. Look at this pattern by Robin Pickens. The first real modern design I did was Double Plus Good by Rossi Hutchinson, back in 2009. And look where I am today with Definite Plus, another plus quilt! Its hard to see the jelly roll next to a cream and grey, but these are the fabrics for this quilt. It's snowy and a major football day. I may go ahead and get started on this!
This scrap quilt is one I just finished quilting. I started it as a kind of throw away project, just to use up scraps. But as I began to needle it, I kind of fell in love with it. Once it was completed and washed and the textured emerged, it is now one of those quilts that will need to find a very special home. so now I am moving on this this one using an off-center spiral.
One of my hand quilting tricks, and I know so many others do this, is to load several needles at once. This little rug mug is my needle holder. and if I'm working in multiple colors, this little basket made by quilt member Janette is perfect for keeping those various balls of Perle cotton.
But here's a quilt I would never attempt to hand quilt. It is for my stepdaughter Jen and is a king - 116" x 116". The backing required 12 yards. The pattern is Weighted by Alex Hoffman and called for 17 fabrics, not including the background. The top starts with greens and folds into grays and develop into purples. I love this pattern and am eager to have it long armed by Sarah Evans. Below is my Christmas present from Jen who gave me a gift certificate to Quiltagious, a pretty neat little shop in Mukwanago, Wisconsin. Three absolutely unique prints and a pattern that will show them off nicely without cutting them into bits.
I'm looking forward to 2024. 2023 had a major sadness, the death of my little brother. Even before Doug died, but especially afterwards, Ive been keenly aware of two things. One is how good I have been feeling. My health allows me to do everything I want to do, and I am able to do the things without pain or difficulty. The second change is that my life rhythm is changing. For a long time I have been a kind of maniacal sewer: "get this one done and start another" was the unspoken mantra. Now? I'm finding pleasure in each step of the process: the planning, the gathering, the preparation, the execution, the completion. I'm content to work on a new project without an old one being complete. Yes, Red Door, I know you need to be finished. It's more than ever about enjoyment. And I'm thankful for each day that I have and sad Doug didn't have the luxury of these kinds of days.
I'm a bit fearful of 2024 and what it holds. What I want it to hold is another autumn and another winter. I have always loved winter, but I especially love it here in this condo. I hope for continued health for both of us. And I do know that I will continue sewing. As Doug was dying, my sister and I read "Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters In The End" by Atul Gawande. It should be required reading for all of mankind. Dr. Gawande asks the reader to identify what makes life worth living. One guy in the book said as long as he could eat chocolate ice cream and watch baseball games, life was worth it. For me it is the ability to sew and create. That I can do this with the support of my life's partner? I am content.
