Hello, is February treating you well so far? I’m OK if a little subdued - just winter making me feel tired and dull. Writing is tricky when words don’t flow. I’ve started this paragraph about ten different ways and deleted them all. So, I’ll keep trying and see what happens.
The main thing is I finished the hexagon patchwork for the top of my quilt!
As much as I enjoy the sewing process, it’s difficult to explain how hard it’s been to keep sewing row after row while my busy mind has been tempting me to drop what I’m doing and finish various other sewing projects and even thinking up a number of new ones for me, thanks for that, silly brain! But, I fought the impulsivity and stuck to the plan and am glad I did. Phase 1 complete, and nice and flat after a good press. I wanted to commemorate the occasion since it’s going to undergo quite a transformation soon. The washing line was just the place to hang it for its photo/video. Then I felt compelled to give said video an eerie gothic edit…if Ingmar Bergman made a film about patchwork this is how it might look, LOL.
Seeing it like this I’m half tempted to keep it flat, but the plan is to cover an old duvet and quilt it minimally, just at the points of each patch, so it’ll end up for want of a better word, lumpy. Of course, this might change because like the rest of the process, I’m making it up as I go along.
Using up fabrics from my stash for the quilt was important. I really don’t want to buy any new fabric when there is still so much left to use at home. The fabrics all have stories. Lots of these hexagons were once pillow cases or clothes, worn by me, my partner, or given to me by generous friends. Some came from flea markets, car boot sales and charity shops. Some from Ebay. I enjoy that connection to the past and the sentimental feelings that these memories evoke. That’ll be true when it’s finished and keeping me cosy too. I’ll be reminded of seeing Robb across the bar in the mid 90s when he was wearing that 1960s orange shirt, and the friend’s wedding we went to together more than a decade later when I wore the handmade purple floral dress.
One thing still to be decided is what to use as backing fabric - that might be something I actually need to buy because it has to be just the right weight and colour. Nothing I already have fits the bill but with any luck I’ll find just the right thing…and I can’t decide between baby pink or dark green. What would you choose?
That’s Entertainment
Thoroughly enjoyed a rare trip to the cinema at the weekend to see A Complete Unknown. It’s the biopic of Bob Dylan by James Mangold, starring Timothee Chalamet, who gave a very convincing performance. Reminded me just how many good songs Bob wrote! Here’s the trailer.
What’s next?
This month I’m carrying on with the quilt. Little by little I’ll get it done. I’m also continuing daily sketching but want to devote more time to drawing and hopefully produce some larger work. I’m thinking more monochrome - my eyes need a break after all that colour in the quilt.
Shop News
Cat on a Mat Too is available now.
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