Diary of a quilt

 Dear Diary, 

Remember those 5-year diaries from years ago?  Writing entries as if the diary itself is somehow a sentient being with thoughts and possible answers.    Instead of the archaic term "diary", I refer more to journaling these days, with thoughts, doodles, drawings, ideas, or even poems.  Journaling has less to do with personal struggles and more to do with my life journey, artistically.  This is National Quilting Month.  I have been re-evaluating myself and what I want to achieve on my quilting journey.  I went to Quilt Con in Atlanta in February.  It was a good show, but a little disjointed in presentation.   After seeing all the quilts, attending 2 of my 3 classes, sitting in on a couple presentations, and purchasing too much, I've come to a couple realizations.  

  Number 1,  I need to be more prepared and make a checklist of items or products I want to purchase.  I was completely prepared for my classes, but less prepared for the weather, packing light, walking long distances, and time management.   

  Number 2,  Bring extra memory cards.  My camera ran out of space, so I switched to my phone's camera.  This was my only option, but not a good one. 

  Number 3,  take notes, and bring a journal.  Not only in the classes but if an idea sparks, I want to notate it before it escapes me.   Make a sketch, jot down an address, and so on. 

Being National Quilting month, I tried to search my UFOs to find the oldest and get at least some progress on it.  I found one from 2012.  It was an idea with materials and embellishments attached.  I vowed to dive in and finish it by the end of this month.  Well, this mental push worked in a way.  The piece is nearing completion, but will not be "finished" by 31 March.  It's OK, though.  I'm good with that.  Knowing that I can push all other things aside and prioritize to meet a deadline is important and I'm so thrilled with my accomplishment so far.  

Every quilt has a story, so I'm told.  I look at my work and think, "what is my story".  I'm not sure there is one.  All I do and have done, I've done because I want to learn or try out a technique.  Beg the question, "what if..." I change things, add things and sometimes never revisit things.  I find out what I love, what I hate, or what I can tolerate.  If I had just made everything using one technique like paper foundation piecing...how boring would that be?   For me...devastating. 

I believe all artists have to grow and expand their work, and their knowledge moving on to better things.  Discovering their own style along the way.  Is this discovery ever finished?  I believe...no.  

Big Stitch along

 Stitching a line of running stitches can be relaxing and calming in a frazzled non-stop world.  To start a big stitch project let's gather some materials and tools and get started.  There are not many and this project can be a compact work that you can take anywhere. 

I have chosen a square from my scrap bag that's been discharge dyed on black grunge fabric.  It measures about 12" square.  Cut a batting and backing square the same size.

Next, I chose threads of various thicknesses in blues, grays, and black.  Some of them are variegated colors.  Most are DMC embroidery floss and some perle cotton by Wonderfil. 

The tools we will use are embroidery scissors, basting needle/straw needle, size 24 Chenille needle or embroidery needles, and a thimble.  No ruler or hoop is needed.  

Layer the top, batting, and backing like a quilt sandwich.  Baste the layers together using a very large stitch (these will be removed as you go).  

Use 3 strands of DMC/embroidery floss, if using, cut it to about 14" length.  Just enough to go the width of your square in one direction.   You will be using a running stitch across the length, making one line and tying off, then starting a next line with a different color or thickness of thread.  It is your choice.  

Put on some music and relax.  Lay down as many lines of running stitches as you would like.  Space them out at first and fill in later as you would like.  I put about 1-2 inches between the lines and filled in.   

Your stitches should be big in your perception.  Not like hand quilting stitches, where you try to get 10-12 stitches per inch.  However, you do not want too big of a stitch like basting stitches.  Keep a comfortable size stitch and don't worry too much about how even they are.  The purpose of the project is to relax and enjoy the process of big stitching.  

This last picture is of the back.  My stitches are not evenly spaced or straight and I'm OK, really OK with that.  I love this handmade look and if I tried to replicate it exactly, it wouldn't look the same and that's what I want.  A natural flowing running stitch that's not measured.  

When you have stitched all the lines you would like, now you can finish off the block as you like.  Turn it into a small pillow or table mat.  Or do a whole bunch of little squares and join them together in a larger quilt-as-you-go quilt.   Finish the edges with binding or a facing and enjoy your little big stitch project.