Window Box quilt

[vaneramos]

In the winter of 1998-99 I taught myself to sew so I could take up quilting.

It was a terrible season of my life. My daughters had moved away in August and I missed them terribly. I was nearing the end of a passionate, turbulent romance. I was full of grief and bitterness. I was depressed. Every time I sat down to sew I would brood. I knew this was no good. I started drawing instead, which engaged my brain in a more concentrated way. It was more therapeutic. I had to stop working on the quilt. This unfinished project has hung on my living room wall ever since.



The photograph won't make much sense unless you know a bit about quilting. To design the quilt I hung a flannelet sheet on the wall and put the cloth squares on it. Static electricity holds them in place. The design is based on the quilt pictured on the front of the book, Watercolor Quilts. This style of quilt is supposed to suggest an Impressionist painting. It will be a small wall quilt, less than one metre (3 ft.) square. The squares on the lefthand side have already been sewn together into strips, so that half of the square appears shorter because of the seams. Each strip takes about an hour. I'll finish all the strips then sew them together, attach a border, and finally back it and quilt it.

When I started seeing Danny djjo, his endless knitting caused me to consider resuming work on the quilt. Then last month he took me to see quilt artist Lynne Heller. After that I was determined.

Two weeks ago while Danny was visiting I looked things over to remind myself what I had been doing when I left off five years ago. Then I got out the needle and thread. Since then I have completed three more strips. I even took my work on the train last week.

The best part is, I enjoy it now. It seems I can let my mind wander nowadays without wallowing in resentment and self-pity. A significant victory. I need to stack a couple strips together so I can work on them when I visit Danny in Toronto this weekend.

Comments

[poetbear.livejournal.com]

is that all hand work? it is, isn't it?
how big are the individual squares?
~paul

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Yes, I'm sewing it by hand. That might seem crazy, but I find it satisfying. I like the feel and rhythm of it, and I know a handmade quilt looks different from one made with a sewing machine.

Each square is 1½" plus a ¼" seam on each side.

[poetbear.livejournal.com]

oh, i know. how are your eyes holding up?
~paul

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

I have excellent eyesight, better than 20-20, but detail work like sewing and proofreading rarely causes strain, either.

[ubermunkey.livejournal.com]

great stuff man that is going to be one gorgeous wall hanging quilt. I have this love of designs. I see patterns everywhere. I have been fooling with the idea to make my own levi quilt. Blacks and blues and different size squares. we'll see.

can't wait to see pics of that one when you finish it.

[robbcoll.livejournal.com]

that is so great - I wish I was able to make the time do such wonderful artistry - I'll Learn to use that blasted sewing machine someday!! Great work - can't wait to see the finished project.

[dakoopst.livejournal.com]

Beautiful...but most everything you produce seems to be. :)

*hugs*

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

I am a storyteller. What would you have me tell? Life proceeds along a spiral. We keep returning to the same places, reviewing old ideas when we're ready to make progress. I can't resume work on the quilt without acknowledging, without bitterness, the pain that caused me to leave off. Telling this story marks a sign along the path of healing. It also means I have unblocked access to another series of experiences, which is a writer's greatest resource.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the compliment, and for dropping by.