New Life

Yes. This is what you're probably thinking it is. A big piece of wood. To be exact, it's one of two large hollow core doors I acquired about 30 years ago when we had a room remodeled in our first house. I've taken them with me through numerous moves because they've been handy for many purposes. These doors are the reason I didn't do any machine quilting for a couple weeks. That's because they were in the garage where I applied two layers of spray varnish, and then brushed on three layers of high gloss polyurethane.

I was going for a slick surface and I achieved it! Now the doors are laying across sawhorses in my sewing area. They fairly glow! And as I hoped, my quilts slip around easily, almost too easily! More than once a portion has just slid onto the floor. Hmm. Maybe there's something about too much of a good thing? 

But no. I love having this smooth surface for quilting. It was worth the time - mostly waiting for varnish to dry - that I had to park my VW Bug in the driveway instead of the garage. My first quilt on the new surface is this purple and yellow "New Life Quilt." The top was finished in May.

Making a New Life quilt is a great way to use small fabric pieces. All color combinations of the smallest pieces and shapes can be sewn together to make Ezekiel blocks which are then joined with sashing. This particular quilt is different than others I've made because I tried making it with particular colors, and I sewed the top together with the blocks on point. I didn't do anything fancy in the way of quilting. 

I quilted a fan in the blocks; snails in the sashing and cornerstones...

...and a feather swoop in the outside setting triangles.

54" X 65-1/2"

Thanks Mary for letting me use the pretty front entry to your house for my photo shoot.

Even more Ezekiel blocks are on the back of the quilt. I'm happy to say I used up some good, old fabric for this quilt.

I'm handling a rush of activities around here while battling laryngitis. This is the first time I've ever had such a squeaky voice, and while I would generally be in good humor about it (it doesn't hurt a bit), I've been anxious because of my speaking obligations these past two weeks. Stitchin' Mission, with 40 newbies and 11 helpers, started last Thursday which meant I was talking a lot about making quilts. I think that triggered the decline in my voice. 

Tonight I'm giving a Stitchin' Mission program to members of the Ankeny Area Quilters Guild. I'll be gargling salt water before I go! Laryngitis aside, the presenting part will be fun. I enjoy sharing my passion for something I believe in - making quilts for others.

Again Thursday is the second Stitchin' Mission lesson where I'll talk about rotary cutting, chain-piecing, and sewing together a quilt top. I'm sure I'll get through it all just fine... though a few of your prayers are appreciated! Linda