I’ve recently had an epiphany: I deserve more time to play, and with my own fabrics.
Bird’s eye view of my mini quilt and trusty tools.
Silly as it sounds, since starting this beautiful dye business I’ve been of the mindset that the fabrics are for my customers, as well as for sample making and ready-made gifts for the shop, but not for me to let loose and play with. This stemmed from the fact that the substrates I purchase are organic and, therefore, more expensive. If you follow my Instagram feed you may have seen what my average dye day looks like in real time. The dye side of my business leaves little time to play, clearly an area of my work life that could use a little rebalancing.
With that said, I’m resisting no longer, and I’m ready to have the same kind of fun playing with colors and designs that you have! I want to immerse myself in stitching these incredibly beautiful fabrics like you do! Knowing that magic happens when I allow myself time to play, I’m making my first mini quilt!
Inspired by Amish and Welsh quilts, I sketched out a simple design that would allow the colors to sing. Next, I set about assembling the top using two fat quarters (one pink and one gold), a few scraps, and because I don’t dye black, some ready-made black organic sateen. This mini has one layer of wool batting. I’ll decide the binding color once the quilting is complete.
My hand-eye coordination is adjusting to making tiny stitches. I’m being brave (or ridiculous) by not drawing any quilting lines. I’ve done some big stitch quilting projects this year and I believe that’s where I developed this habit of eyeballing my quilting lines. Gosh, this is fun!
Here in the studio, there’s something special in the works, but first I really want to hear from you! In the comments below, tell me your favorite mini quilt design, your preferred way to hang mini quilts, if you exchange blocks with your quilty friends and whether you keep or give your minis! Anything you want to share about your love of mini quilts would be very much appreciated! Thank you!
Hoping to finish my Zweig sweater (pattern by Caitlin Hunter) during #slowfashionoctober
Photo courtesy of www.fringeassociation.com
Do you know about #slowfashionoctober?
Karen Templer annually hosts this thought-provoking opportunity to increase awareness of fast fashion and how we personally relate to it. Connect with a growing community, join in diverse conversations, read interviews and see inspiring projects all throughout October (and beyond). If you have an interest in your clothes, the textile industry, mindfulness about what we put on our bodies and in the earth, you’ll want to watch The True Cost , check out Karen’s website for thought-provoking prompts, interviews, inspiration and much more, and of course, follow the action on Instagram at #slowfashionoctober. Thank you Karen for creating and hosting this life-changing event!
Do you love butternut squash? I recently made this recipe and it’s so good! If you’ve never tried frying fresh sage leaves in butter, this is a perfect time to give it a go. All I can say is that I’ll be making this recipe all winter long.
While you’re over on Instagram exploring #slowfashionoctober, have a peek at my recent cochineal dye day @tierneybarden