Memory Lane

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 My Christmas Sampler, circa 2009


Reaching back into the linen closet to share this Christmas creation that was started in September 2008 and finished in January of 2009. It is a king sized sampler quilt, - each square is a star themed block in golds, dark greens and burgundies. I still love this quilt, it makes me smile. I remember being so excited to make it. 

But it feels like it was made a lifetime ago, in a different era, or maybe even created by somebody else. It's so foreign to what I make now. In reality, I suppose I'm not the same person I was when I conceived of this quilt and put needle to fabric. 

For one thing this quilt is all machine pieced and quilted, not a bit of hand work. At that time I was just beginning to explore Hawaiian appliqué. I had no idea how transformative developing skill in appliqué and reverse appliqué would prove to be. 

Back then, I had no desire to spend "too much time" on hand quilting. I was focused on creating tops and only starting to move past "stitch in the ditch" to do more elaborate quilting on my domestic machine. Now I relish the hand quilting process and view it as another opportunity to be creative and add layers of interest to the final piece. 

So I treasure this quilt because it represents a moment in time on my creative journey with quilting. I look at it and think, "Wow you've come a lonnnng way baby! . . . what next?"  

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