Make a Start!

Yesterday I began a list of the projects that needed my attention.  It quickly grew to the point that it got out of hand; it became so discouraging that I quit writing and went to the parlor closet to see just how bad things were! As I began to pull bags of partially-complete quilts from the closet, I realized that what I needed was a strategy of attack.  I held out the most urgent and closed the door.

The first two quilts were begun nearly two years ago, after a visit to my father's aunt.  Aunt Elizabeth has always held a cherished place in his heart, and she has become beloved to me as well.  As a child, I enjoyed each visit to her house, for she had a swing indoors, as well as a smile that didn't stop.

Aunt Elizabeth's kitchen and nearby sitting room are fresh and crisp in white, yellow, and blue.  For her quilt tops, I mostly used fabrics that I already had, including greens (my favorite) and primarily utilizing 30's and 40's style prints.  The quilts are small, about the size of a crib quilt --- just the right size for a naptime or board game snuggle.

These two came out of the cupboard with their gingham, flannel backings already folded neatly with the tops.  They needed batting cut and they still need something for the binding, but otherwise they were ready.  I pressed them, cut some batting, then pinned them together.  Within two hours, the first was machine quilted.  This includes the time my eight-year-old and I spent picking out little lumps that happen when the backing bunches up in little places (I haven't yet figured out how to completely avoid this).  While I cannot yet consider that this is done, according to my definition of complete, two hours was a small price to pay for progress!  And the other one is also pinned and ready to go!  Aunt Elizabeth, of course, hand quilts everything and these are just machine stippled, but they are not worth being embarrassed over.  I hope to finish them up this week and take a drive through the canyon to deliver them to her.