Pieces of the Past

"Pieces of the Past"  (49.5" square)

Rainy weather has provided me with garden duty relief, cooler temperatures for house cleaning and the much anticipated bonus of studio time to complete some projects on my list.  Like most of my creations, it is a sew as you go approach, which means I didn't have a clue where I was headed but let each step direct me to the next.  Several 'in progress' projects surface sporadically in my studio before their formation is complete, which is fine because rumination often leads to excellent outcomes.

This small 49.5 " square wall quilt was began several years ago and is constructed mostly from scraps.  Keepsake Quilting sells their current fabric samples in packets of small pre-cut squares.  I had two different older packets from which I sewed 16-patch blocks. 

Striped burgundy fabric triangles were cast offs from a quilting buddy's scrap bag which ended up in mine.  I lucked out with just enough fabric to add them to the blocks with the stripes running vertically and horizontally so they would appear woven visually into the overall layout.

I'd been wanting to use this very unusual greenish mustard yellow fabric and discovered it was marvelous as sashing strips for the blocks.  By machine appliqueing more scraps onto fabric squares I was able to position them as posts between sashing intersections.  The secondary diamond shapes add visual interest and reinforce the diagonal/woven look across the quilt surface.  Having a fabric stash from which to draw from saves time and energy, as is the case in locating this perfect binding fabric in my studio at a time when all I wanted was to get finished!  I no longer feel guilty for owning excess fabric.

In conclusion... My friend Kathy Harte machine quilted this and another wall quilt for me before she relocated to Texas 2 weeks ago.  She is a master machine quilter who has produced exceptionally beautiful results in her home studio sitting behind her Bernina sewing machine with almost no space around her.  Her new home will be equipped with a spacious custom studio that she well deserves in her retirement.  I'm excited for her but miss her terribly.  Her work on my quilts will forever remind me of the great fun and blessed times we shared together.  I titled this quilt Pieces of the Past not only for the scraps of fabric that remind me of various projects I've created, but remembering friendships and scraps of memories those friendships contribute in the fabric of my life to date.  Call me sentimental... I love my friends and miss them when I can't easily meet for coffee and an impromptu visit like we used to.