HOMESPUN

Awhile back, I dug out some sampler blocks that I had made for a quilt a very long time ago. Around Thanksgiving holiday, I sewed them together to determine what else I might need to do in order to have a couch / lap quilt.  The old blocks totaled two rows and I needed two more rows.

I was getting settled in to finish the last block of the last row the other day and became entranced by the sun streaming in and creating these lovely shadows so I grabbed my camera for a quick shot.

I turned my attention back to the sewing and away from shadows, and finished that block.

I have a few days off for Christmas vacation now, so yesterday I sewed the last row onto the other three, and  put backing fabric and batting into the washer and dryer and laid the completed top onto my bed.

I pin pasted all three layers together on my dining room table, in preparation for tying this quilt. I have a large Dresden Plate quilt in a frame upstairs that is getting the *real* quilting treatment. I wanted a quicker finish to this one and it is just for everyday use.

Putting yarn through a needle hole is not easy. I was getting pretty frustrated ( to put it mildly )  and  then I thought about shoelaces!  SO I went and cut a small piece of Scotch tape, wrapped it around the yarn at the end, trimmed it, and it went through the needle hole quite easily.

The needle is a curved needle….I think this is quite clever.  I’d made a tied quilt years ago and don’t recall having a needle like this! Nor do I recall curved basting pins, which also make life easier.

The events of the past week have shaken our nation to the core and I am no exception. I think that everyone’s Christmas this year will feel more subdued with parts of our heart in Connecticut. I decided to do just what I had to for Christmas now, and no more.  I did put some Christmas music on while I started work on the tying, though.

The  Spirit of Christmas stole into my heart as I tied and listened to Christmas carols.

Later on I wound up my Snow Globe with the Angel inside and listened to the tinkling strains of  ”Joy to the World”  and felt peace steal into my heart.

The family comes here for Christmas. I have not finished tying this couch / lap quilt yet and when I do it still needs binding. I got as far as I could with my extra day off and then I need to turn my attention to some cleaning, grocery shopping, present wrapping etc, but I do know this :

My cat was on the radiator observing my progress today. The dogs were at my feet. They all want to shed on this someday soon ….