Learning New Skills

I have never been a quilter, or a knitter or a person who enjoys the labour of making things with my hands. I have learned to sew simple garments from patterns designed for impatient, slightly inept folks like me, but I haven't enjoyed the process...just the end result.

Now I am starting to appreciate the beauty of the creation process...the time and thought that goes into making an end result that you are proud of but that always needs slight improvements. I am learning to quilt. Applique to be exact. I have attended my first class. A day of cutting and stitching and learning. And I enjoyed myself. I have since created a pattern of my own for a wall hanging that will have many appliqued pieces when it is complete. The small pieces are all cut out and basted and now I am looking forward to the stitching and finishing and quilting. Time will tell if this is another of my fads or if this is a skill I will nurture and develop. Pictures will follow.

Pieces

Yesterday morning I finally dragged out the bits of material, cut the funny little shapes and handsewed the first, of what I hope will be several, quilting projects. The ideas for designs and shapes and colours tumble around in my mind and sneek out when I am not paying attention. I will be driving to work and realize that I am thinking about the combination of colours that would make an interesting quilted insert on the front of a knee length vest. I have several ideas for wearable art and as the designs finalize themselves in my jumbled mind the job of actually creating these items will become easier...at least that is the theory.

We made the opportunity to visit the craft centre in the Hostel building in Port Mouton yesterday afternoon. Interesting place. Some of the work is beautiful, some not so much. They were holding a bake sale and they have used books for sale and they have an indoor flea market. A jumble of new and used, unique and common, bargains and valuables. We were invited to buy tickets on a quilt made to assist with the finances of the centre. The draw will take place just prior to the season's close in December.

Pleasant activities for a cold rainy Saturday.

Let the Quilting Begin

I have been on a buying binge...for fabrics for two quilting projects. I am so enjoying the matching of colours and textures, the design of the shapes and sizes and visualizing the finished project. That's right I am designing my projects. Let's not make this easy, like following a pattern that you know works and fits together. Let's go for the challenge of starting with a blank piece of paper.

I had the chance to visit a wonderful shop that sells quilting fabrics as well as finished quilts. They have their own original designs and the standard tried and true patterns that have been around for generations. What a wonderful place to spend a week, expensive for me to be there that long though. The shop of course is Shuttles and Seawinds in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia. They have a website and sell quilts and quilted products online and ship throughout the world. Great place, highly recommended for anyone in the area, or wanting to see some truly original designs. One full sized quilt is actually a map of Canada, bright, colourful and beautiful.

I am looking forward to a quiet hour or two to start my projects. Hard to get motivated with temperatures in the mid 30's (mid to high 90's for our US neighbours.