Fabrics to break up the words

I’m in the middle of three editing projects. I’m in the middle of editing my young adult verse novel. I’m in the middle of explaining two Shakespeare plays, one for Miss 14 and one for Mr 17. And I’m deep in the middle of the ABC website, following their coronavirus blog like many other Victorians.

I need a break from words!

So I’m going to immserse myself in a different type of material. Fabric!

Ever since our family friend C (long-time blog reader!) gave us a wedding quilt (23 years ago!), and then helped me make my first one, I have dabbled in quilt-making. I made one for each of my three babies, plus another couple. I finished the bugs and butterfly one above during last year’s second lockdown.

I have a few boxes of my kids’ baby clothes that hold many stories. I did give away most of the clothes to younger cousins and friends but there were a few special pieces I wanted to keep. Mr 17’s green checked shirt that he wore on his second Christmas. Miss 14’s red gingham dress with the white pom-poms. Mr 11’s blue linen shorts that are almost threadbare because he wore them so often. Some pieces I’ll keep as they are – too beautiful to cut up – but there are so many pretty patterned fabrics that will most likely never see the light of day unless I repurpose them.

I’ve washed the baby clothe and have drawn up a rough design. I know quilting is an accurate craft and I know I have a tendency to dive headfirst into projects but I’m going to wing this one. It’ll look good in my head! My husband always reminds me, ‘Measure twice, cut once!’

A couple of friends are going to make a quilt, too, in this, our winter quilt challenge!

I am hoping that while I cut and sew this quilt made of my children’s stories, that some of the tangled storylines in my verse novel will loosen themselves while I give my mind a rest.