So here we are, nearing the winter solstice, and the Chicago area where I live is having the most wintry winter we’ve had in several years. So I thought, well, why not make winter the topic?
(If you have made winter-themed quilts, please send photos and I’ll make your winter quilts the subject of the next newsletter!) (Let me know how you’d like to be named, or not named, and maybe size, fabric, and maybe a one-sentence description/thought.)
To start with, I’ll say that I am not a winter lover, aside from the beauty of fresh snow and the icicle fringe on our house — which I think are most enjoyable when seen looking out from inside.
I’m writing this at about 9:30pm. That’s the time the sun sets at the opposite side of the year when it’s fun to watch the sun go down from the top of the sledding hill in the park across the street, barefooted in the grass. Well, tonight, it’s been full black nighttime since 5:00pm.
It’s really quite amazing to consider that and the movement of the planets and sun that makes it happen, isn’t it?
Anyhow, I haven’t made many wintry quilts.
Here’s one. It’s called “Snowflake”. It’s part of a whole set of quilts I made (link in Announcements below) using decorator samples I got from an interior designer when she was clearing things out of her studio. I made my own little challenge with them. One part of the challenge was to use all the colorways of a design in one quilt.
This fabric is textured - cut velvet. In making it, I re-re-relearned that it’s impossible to machine appliqué velvet. So the pieces are all appliquéd by hand….but worth it for the result.
My other two snowy quilts were made long ago. This one is called “Snowscape“. It’s machine stitched, except for the close-up weeds detail which are hand embroidered, made in 1989, 60” x 45”. It now belongs to a friend who grew up in the Illinois farms and fields, a bit north of St. Louis.
And this one is called “First Snow”, 44” x 33“, cottons and silk organza. It’s a fabric rendition of a photo I took in the park along the Lake Michigan shore. I made it in 1989, towards the beginning of my experimentation with layering sheer fabrics.
And here’s another fun thing about winter: I’ve been enjoying hot cider with cinnamon sticks!
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