Getting it Together

Class sample: Four prequited blocks joined together with lattice strips. 

I can become a procrastinator if the conditions are right; this is not something that I am proud to admit. So, a year or so ago, a dear friend presented me with a large bag of hand quilted sampler blocks that her mother had made back in the 1980s. She asked if I could assemble them for her to present to her almost 92 year old mother. I smiled and agreed. Honestly, I wan't too excited about the task; truth be told, I wasn't sure, at all, how to proceed. I made an initial assessment of the bag's contents; the blocks were randomly stacked inside along with yards and yards of additional fabric. I set the bag out in plain sight-- for a while. Then, the bag moved to a closet; and, finally, to the deep and dark recesses of that space. Out of sight, out of mind, right? Not exactly, I knew they were in there and the guilt of not tackling the project grew exponentially. Quiltkeemosabe told me that she was considering teaching a class at our LQS, a Quilt as You Go class. This class was tailored to those who might want to quilt their blocks individually on their domestic machines, the class would demonstrate how to join quilted blocks. Yes, I told her, I NEED that class!! Last Saturday the class took place, it was exactly the jump-start that I needed! As students we were shown a method of joining quilted blocks with thin lattice strips, I was intrigued by the technique; the lattice strips "joins" become a design element both front and back.

This is the back of the class sample shown above, the finished strips on the front measure 1/2" and, on the back they measure 3/4". There is hand finishing on one side of the strips on the back. My examples show contrasting fabric but, naturally, this could also be done with matching fabric that would blend and be hardly noticeable. 

Energized to begin, I pulled out the decades old sampler blocks, weeded through them, and after a few phone consults with the quiltmaker's daughter we agreed on this lay out. 

The first two, joined with the newly-learned skill. I was off and running. 

Before dinner last evening the top half of the quilt was joined together! Like all tasks that are put off; once begun, this seemed much simpler and faster than I had heaped this up in my mind to be. I am happy with the way this is coming together, even more so, it's a relief to know that soon this will warm the body and soul of the dear lady who made these blocks all those years ago. 

What are you putting off today?

Life is Good!

Up next: "Flower Power"