August 4, 2016

Greetings My Friend I am coming to the end of the denim memory quilt I have been working on. For the first time I am using batting in the quilt so I am learning something new. I also learned that "all" the seams need to ironed, not just the squares as I sew them together. After a few attempts to iron the row of seams I decided to listen to Junior and I used the table which helped me a lot. In the process of ironing the seams I discovered I sewed one block wrong leaving a hole in the quilt rows. If I had not ironed the quilt I would not have caught this mistake so I am now in favor of ironing seams. The hole was machined stitched and I will not have to be fussing with the hole to keep it closed. I am debating whether to sew the seams with the batting or if I understand right it would be quilting. In my minds eye I see that I might be able to sew lines one row at a time before adding the quilt backing. Once I get the back on I wonder if I could sew the opposite rows one row at a time and not bunch the quilt up inside of the sewing machine. This idea looks real good in my minds eye but is it plausible? I am not sure and as Junior reminds me often "How do you think you can find out?" This is my 4th quilt and I am finding with each one I am learning something new. I am grateful that I have finally learned to enjoy each step of the learning process, not expecting perfection on the first one. Each quilt is doing the job I made them for and that was the most important goal. I am not up to learning how to do intricate patterns, I do find the simple block style to be beautiful in its own right. The denim quilt is mixed with old summer shirts and tee shirts I wore which makes the quilt quite colorful. I like that a whole lot and the jeans are my sister's and Junior's old jeans. When our Mom died my sister took Mom's old sheets and made me a quilt. It is a lovely reminder of our mother. The first quilt I made was a tee shirt quilt using old tee shirts of Junior's. I admit enjoying having a part of him to be wrapped up in. I feel it is almost like how I used to be as a teenager enjoying Dad's old shirts to wear. I think it is a way to feel close to those you love. The bandanna quilt is not a memory quilt but it is doing the job rather nicely and it looking nice does not hurt. The quilt has been the perfect weight for this summer's heat. The jean quilt is heavier so it is also the perfect weight for winter. I like having a hand in our home's decorative finishes. Last spring I decopauged a wardrobe to hold craft supplies in and it looks nice in our TV room. This summer I have taken to making bread, jam and applesauce which the smells emit warm comfortable smells. In my own way I am taking this house we live in to a home that is comfortable for Junior and I to spend our later years in and I love it. I am thankful to God for more energy again even though I still crash from time to time. May God bless you and keep you make His face shine on you. Love Janet