“Rail Fence-ish” quilt, completed March 2012

This quilt sprung from a quilt square challenge issued by my group, the Ventura Modern Quilt Guild — create a square that is a modern twist on a traditional pattern.

I bless the day the Guild came into my life. It’s everything I want — community, inspiration, accountability, passion, challenge. ART!

I took the the traditional Rail Fence (three or more parallel rectangles) , but then made the squares wonky — that is, cut the squares off-kilter. I also used non-traditional colors.

You can see what I mean by wonky, above.

As soon as I started making this quilt, I was pretty sure that, if it turned out well, that it was going to go to my wonderful friend Sharon.

Sharon didn’t know it, but many years ago she “qualified” for a quilt. She is an artist, a positive and supportive human, and is owner of one of the biggest hearts in the world. She also said some really nice things about my quilts from the beginning, and so I can’t imagine a better person to create for.

Giving the quilt away is part of the art process for me, so I need to listen very carefully to my heart, and to the quilt. And as time marched on, the quilt said “give me to Sharon!”

I loved making this one. I took risks, I got frustrated, I got elated, I wandered in deep chasms of doubt.

I was pretty happy with the quilt top, but when a nice lady at Fabric Town USA gently suggested the striped fabric for the binding, fabulousness started happening. Thanks, Fabric Town lady!

It’s a bit weird and wrinkly here, but I washed it a few times, slept under it, made it relax and get quilty. I have to say I might make lap size quilts for a while. It’s a much more useful size than I thought.

 

On my way up to the Bay Area (and to Sharon!) last weekend, I embroidered the greeting. Normally I would do this after the quilt top completion, but I needed to make sure this quilt really was Sharon’s quilt.

PS Up north I also saw Tamar and Rich and Molly and a bunch of Lamar’s friends (plus Lamar) and it was a bizarre and quite delicious trip. I’m not ready to discuss the strangest hotel experience ever, quite yet.

And now the quilt is home. Sharon very sweetly posted this picture of herself and Astro enjoying the quilt whilst watching the Olympics! Could you just squeeze the both of them?

Sharon and I used to work together in a very close knit office*, and it was lovely to see all our friends from that era liking this picture on Facebook. I had that job right at the start of my quilting path, so everything feels very full-circley and warm and wonderful.

I am so blessed to have such love in my life.

ART!

*I wrote about that job here. I also realize that I have made quilts for six people that I either worked with or met through that job. Wow!