EVOLUTION OF A QUILT

Many years ago, I was an avid quilter.  

I have piles of lap, mini, seasonal and bed quilts.  And, I can't neglect to mention all the unfinished projects, or WIP's (work in progress).  

Probably have too many of them!

For almost five years, from 1993 until 1998, I had the absolute pleasure of working in a gorgeous quilt shop here in our little town.  It was really a very premiere shop, drawing in customers from miles and miles away.  The owner had impeccable taste in fabrics and patterns, and the whole shop was furnished in wonderful antiques and thrift found furniture.  Even the bolt shelves were specially constructed by a local craftsman to better blend with the furniture - no metal display pieces in her store!  We would use unusual pieces for displaying quilts and fabrics and dolls, etc.  It was always fun arranging and rearranging projects and new fabrics and the latest patterns.  Never a day with nothing to do!

Unfortunately, after 16 years of running her business, mostly alone as a single mother, she had to give it up for a steady paycheck and a job with benefits.  During the last months of her store being open, I was very, VERY pregnant with my third.  She had pretty much left the running of the store during it's final weeks to me and another employee as she had started her new career. 

 A month after the doors closed for good, I delivered Son No. 3, Owen.  Needless to say, my quilting was put on the back burner to caring for a newborn and two active older boys.  Well, I never really got back into it, even though I continued, and still to this day!, buy gorgeous guilt fabric that I just can't live without!  

This Christmas, I really wanted to make a few quilted items for gifts.  After all, I do have a TON of fabric, and everyone loves a handmade gift, right?!

I happily started on my first project for the season.  It's actually an over-sized quilted tablerunner {24x52}, and I'm having a ball creating it.  I love the fabrics!  Now, I know the patterns of the fabrics themselves may not be all that exciting, but I'm diggin' how the colors go together.  

So far I've completed some of the larger sections.  You see, for those of you who aren't familiar with quilting, it's not much unlike putting together a puzzle.  Tonight I hope to get all larger sections together and ready for layering and, finally, quilting and binding.

I'll be sure to share the finished piece which I hope to complete by the weekend's end.  Then I'll be able to start my next new project, which I'm so looking forward to!  It's going to be constructed of bright and cheerful Amy Butler prints.

  

Thanks for visiting! 

Leave a comment so I can get to know you.