Back to my story - after the 2006 National Quilt Festival in Port Elizabeth, I was emotionally and physically exhausted. Making the majority of my quilts are really such an intensive process of concentration and labour which while in the process, would consume most of my time, thoughts and energy. I have no pattern books to refer to and have to find my own way, very exhausting... I felt that I needed something easy to stitch which would be ideal to unwind..... I decided to handsew a quilt using a Japannese Folded method. Using this method, the quilt would be quilted by the time it was sewn together - just what I needed. I decided to make a quilt for my friend for her next birthday. Planning this quilt was so easy and uncomplicated, just what I needed.
While making this quilt, something else happened.... I experienced a terrible pain down my one leg and eventually was diagnosed with a prolapsed disc in my spine, a condition which had a severe negative impact on my mobility and quality of life. In the meantime, I quietly sat and stitched this quilt, not being able to do anything strenuous as it immediately brought pack the terrible pain. I finished the quilt in time for her birthday in March 2007 and I was so surprized at how much I actually enjoyed hand stitching this scrappy quilt...... Yes, me who are so in love with a sewing machine.....
My friendship with Amanda started early 1982, we had babies together, shared tears, laughs, losing parents and survived the phase of difficult teenagers...! The two of us share a very special bond and the friendship has always been very harmonious, open, honest and easy - so referring to the our friendship, I named the quilt Harmonie (Harmony)!
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| Harmonie 2007 Towards the end of 2007, it was clear I needed a spinal fusion. I would be in a corset for 3 months, no sitting, driving my car or going anywhere in a vehicle. I could lie down, walk and stand. Wonderful recipe for cabin fever.... I immediately realized that I had to prepare some hand work to do afterwards.... Being productive, time would pass quickly.... I decided to make a quilt for our guest room in greens, teal and purple using the Folded Japanese method. I wanted to make a quilt with triangles and decided to join 4 squares in a four patch, then fold it over batting in a diamond shape which will have the effect of a block with 4 triangles.... I prepared most of the blocks before going to hospital and packed a small trolley in our bedroom with enough work to keep me busy for the first days back at home... I was ready to keep myself busy with books, music, tv and some quilting..... I got a pair of reading glasses as it is very difficult to read flat on the back with bifocal lenses..... Soon I was home, pain free and doing some stitching, flat on my back.... My stitches were not great, but I was not perturbed.. I was sewing and excited about my project. Soon I was stronger and Willem moved the trolley back to the studio where I could stand at the worktable because the height is perfect for me. Soon it became routine, I would be in the studio with all my quilting stuff around me early in the mornings, taking breaks to rest a bit and my daily walk in the afternoons. Soon the 195 blocks were stitched, quilted and ready to be joined into a quilt. It took almost a week to arrange the blocks in a colourwash formation. I pinned the rows together in long strips using safety pins. It was such a sense of achievement to make this quilt, mostly standing. I should have called it "Standing Up" but named it Happy Colours for Me as it truly is my happy colours. The 3 months went by so quickly... |
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| Happy Colours for Me - 2008
While I was making this quilt, I had lots of time to think about my quilting...........
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It is a stunning quilt Marilyn, and a special one at that.
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