TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. – Random thoughts about quilting while (and after) flying at 30,000 feet:
Sky quilts
Readers of this blog have commented about how Midwestern farm fields viewed from high above look like quilt blocks. And that is truly so. But I am struck as we
Doug and the quilt: Getting closer ...get ready to land in Traverse City, Michigan, how the north woods, aflame in fall colors, represent their own patchwork of vivid patterns.
Traverse City is a northern Michigan town on the south end of Traverse Bay, which connects to Lake Michigan. I’m up here tending to some family business. Bursts of red, orange and yellow pop through the evergreens, all the way up to the sandy border of the crystal-blue bay.
No, this “sky quilt” is not symmetrical like the farm fields of Missouri. But it’s a quilt nonetheless … a soft collision of vivid designs and hues, bunched and gathered, warm to the eye’s touch.
Quilt inspiration is everywhere.
Getting closer …
I promised I would reveal my finished quilt project at Fall Market. Well, I got close. I’ve done pretty much all the piecing. I just need to add the top and bottom strips, and the border and binding. Plus appliqué on the moon and stars. And then I can start the quilting. (Okay, that’s a lot!)
Still, I was proud enough of my progress that I showed it to a few folks at Market, including Beth, Liz, Mama C and Christine of Lizzie B Cre8ive – whose pattern, “In the Still of the Night,” it is – plus Diane and Edie and also Susan Fuquay of American Quilt Retailer. (Susan happened to be in our booth when I showed it off to Diane and Edie.)
As you can tell from the picture, it’s actually starting to look like something! (This picture was taken by Liz at Lizzie B‘s booth.) I was congratulated on the quality of the corners and the points on the star. Of course, I didn’t allow anyone to study it too closely or for too long. (My rule: I’m good with it as long as it looks good on the wall from 30 feet.)
I must say, though, work on the quilt has not come without cost. My dogs have missed out on some runs in a field we call Briarwood because I preferred to work on the quilt. Check out Riley, the golden retriever, as she gets my attention.
Riley prefers a walkHow can you keep on quilting when she gives you “the look?” You can’t. That’s the difference between cat and dog. Dogs are needy. (Cats? Not so much.) But that’s why we love them so.
A busy Market
Quite a few folks asked me how things fared at Fall Market, given the economy, flu fears and the like. We did quite well, thank you. Although attendance seemed down a bit, there was rarely a dull moment in our booth. Even Monday – the last day – proved busy.
Check out Aaron’s photos that Diane posted on our Facebook site.
I don’t want to mask over what continues to be challenging times for many retailers, including quilt-shop owners. But it’s also clear that quilters aren’t overly daunted by economic fears. I’ve said it before: When times get tough, quilters quilt. Bless you for that.
And now we turn our attention to Spring 2010, and our next crop of books. We’ve got some great ones in the hopper – so stay tuned!
Oh, and if you haven’t done it yet, become a fan of ours on Facebook!
Doug Weaver is the publisher of Kansas City Star Quilts.
Your quilt is looking great, Doug! VERY impressed. But I must say, that is one sad puppy face peering over it. You'd better wait til Riley is in bed before you hit the quilting too hard!!
Beth
Lizzie B Cre8ive, West Coast Office
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