Ken's Anniversary Quilt
I just finished a quilt for my husband, and I realized as I looked at it as a complete piece that I never stop learning. I made the quilt from Ricky Tims’ hand-dyed fabric. I was trying to create a reverse appliqué quilt, something I’ve never before attempted, and I am trying to work on my free-motion quilting.
For those of you who don’t know me, I am pretty critical of my own work. When I looked at the finished piece at first, all I saw were the flaws, places where I hadn’t cut the fused appliqué straight, where the free-motion quilting went on the appliqué, where my quilting stitches were different sizes or seemed sloppy. And then I stopped and thought I should look at what had gone well. Many of my stitches were consistent, the mitered binding is good, and I really like the fabric quality, colors, and thread choices.
So what have I learned? Everyone has to start at the beginning and be willing to work on improving their skills. No matter where you are, you can always get better and that it is important to evaluate your work when you are done to see what you did well and where you can improve. To improve on my quilting, I got some great advice from Katie Pasquini Masopust and Carol Doak at the most recent quilt market, about how to work on the quilting for 15 minutes everyday to get better at it. They told me not to be so hard on myself. Always good advice.
I was also inspired by Katie’s new book about exploring design. So for my next project I will try something where I can do a bit of machine quilting most every day, and then I’m sure I will see progress. Until then happy quilting and Happy Holidays!
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9 Comments
I didn’t know you could quilt? WoW!!! that was really nice…
This was our 100th post!
Shirley, I am glad you like it and I believe I have made over a dozen quilts now. I am hoping that officially makes me a quilter!
Yes, you are now officially a quilter – I think 12 quilts gets you the toaster oven, doesn’t it? :-)
It’s wonderful to be married to someone who takes chances and learns from everything she does; she’s truly an artist in my eyes and always amazes me with her talents! I absolutely love my quilt and it’s hanging in our home.
Nicely done! And an applique quilt too! I’m sure the men in your life are enjoying your quilts.
LOL – I’ve just posted on my blog about how much I dislike the quilting part of the process because my stitches are inconsistent, etc. OH, the STRESS! Your quilt is luminous, Amy – and your stitches look fine to me. Of course, I spend more time picking out than putting in…but I have decided, finally, that my work is not about the stitch. And truthfully, unless you are entering a quilt-police sponsored show, nobody will notice what you perceive as flaws. I forget which famous quilter used to say “If you can’t see it from a galloping horse, don’t worry about it.”
Happy holidays to all!
love,
Rayna
You always have to keep learning!
I believe that every day presents us with opportunities to learn something new. Whether in creating a quilt or craft or in how we interact with those around us. I really do love being a student of life.