Quilting Patterns and Sewing Musing:

In a passing thought, I find myself pondering the likelihood that sewing may well be a practice akin to meditation. Suppose one is not engrossed in an audiobook or amongst affable companions in a good-humored discussion. In that case, they can very well find themself in a recollection of their least charming memories, confronting the question of: who is a person in character and content when the audience excuses themself to an intermission. 

I do enjoy my own company in this regard, as it is not as encumbersome as trying to wear a polite and friendly mask when around others and even friends. It’s relaxing in a way, the world slows and brightens as the stress slides off. 

Musing aside, I finally finished the quilt; it was an exercise in patience, commitment and the importance of measuring fabric squares to have seam allowance. Quilting involves a good amount of math. It’s probably better said that the whole project required math. I count my lucky stars as it was basic math, albeit fractions, which were not always a strong suit. Quilting also seemed to acquire an eye for color balance, material acquisition and willingness to learn project budget management. Other things that can be learned during this process and the properties of fibers and their usage for maximum effectiveness. In my area, October is pretty ambient weather-wise, so cotton was chosen for its breathability and lightness. 

The hallmark of a quilt contributing to the notable weight and comfort of the blanket, the batting. I chose a 100 percent cotton batting and brought a bigger size than what I needed. It is easier to cut more off than attempt to piece it back together.  Batting can also come in varying thicknesses, so all-seasons batting, which measures out to about a quarter inch thick at 200g in weight, was chosen for this project. Though quilting is reminiscent of a sandwich, which can only result in the demonstration of in usage of the layering principle in the season when the trees lose their leaves and sunlight shortens.

I had procured the fabric at a steal, and spent a few minutes at rack, doing my best impression of a road block, to match color and patterns to select 5 different cotton fabrics that would look nice together. The three patterned fabrics picked followed in line with the seasonal theme of sunflowers, pumpkins and scarecrows. Then two solid color fabrics: a rustic burnt orange, had a reddish look and a forest green.  

Printed cotton for the weave. Flannel would have been too heavy and gauze would be too light.  Color along with thickness and material type can also affect the temperature of a garment. Color coordination with the seasons is a time honored tradition as well. I’ve had an acquaintance who did not agree with me about color coordination and temperature regulation being a mutual concept and proceeded to continue to express her disenchantment at my notion for the rest of the evening, but c’est la vie. For this quilt, when with orange-red, forest green and yellow, for color matching to the season and the hope that temperature regulation can be a secondary attribute, even with the layering principle. 

I drew out my pattern of squares: a four-patch square made of 5inch squares and one 10inch repeated. When I assembled the first row, it dawned on me the reason that patterns usually measure out a quarter inch more of fabric is so that the pieces may be sewn together, my squares ended up smaller than I had intended. Nevertheless I preserved all the other squares except for the aforementioned first row all had seam allowances. Patch squares were made to cover some of the hole in the patch work and sewn on with an invisible stitch. The holes were a result of the weight of the fabric getting heavier and pulling at the tension on the sewing machine. 

I had a sage green flat sheet that was collecting valuable real estate in the closet, so I put it to work as a backing of the quilt. It had a little weight and bulk, due to the tread count of the sheet set, but added to the quilt in its weighted feel. The extra fabric of the flat sheet was used as binding, it was rolled in a hem and hand-sewn with an invisible stitch using linen thread wax with beeswax. Beeswax stiffens the thread for easier control. 

I tacked the quilt sandwich together with cotton embroidery thread, it reminded me of a quilt my great-grandmother made for my parents as a crib quilt. Embroidery thread colors were burnt and bright orange, brown and white. These too were waxed for ease of use for this project. 

As challenging as this project was, it was satisfying to see the quilt come together.I have some ideas to make this project easier, like stacking cutting boards to hold up the quilts weight while sewing seams with the machine. I may also have to look into the adjustments of micro-climates through the use of tapestries and quilts. While I was working in a carpeted room, I noticed a gradual change in humidity of the room. I think it is worth a deep-dive, possible experimentation. Also I might make these as hand made holiday gifts.

Staying unfettered in trying my best and ever learning, 

M.E Sui