i’m in love with this book. it’s not really a new technique book for me, but more of pure inspiration. Cassandra’s overall philosophy of quilting just rings right with me.
i love her concept of using loved and precious fabrics to make meaningful quilts. quilts with soul. you can laugh, but i really think it’s possible to make a quilt that truly is a Quilt. this doesn’t necessarily mean a high and lofty designer quilt.
it starts with the maker, who loves making it, and pours their emotions into each stitch. taking fabric and thread, meaningless on their own and joining them together to make a blanket filled with beauty and texture.
even this though, is not enough. even a quilt that is loved and breathed upon by it’s maker will not really become a Quilt, until it is put to use in the way that every quilt wants to be used. as a soft and comforting cover, pulled off the shelf every day for so many reasons. loved to pieces and used without regard for it’s ‘specialness’. Chosen because it is soft, because it is warm, because it unconsciously speaks of love.
—ok, that was a little sappy, maybe?!— oh well, i’m glad that most of you reading this are quilters, so you won’t find me too strange:)
anyways, i’m hoping to make the above fabric stack into a quilt from this book one of these days soon!
I completely agree with the sentiment you express about quilts here. I'll have to check out this book! Thanks for the heads up. 🙂
You're in good company here, not too sappy at all. In fact I totally rely on the sappy factor for my quilts because they aren't worth much in the made-well category!! xx
thanks for the head's up on the book. looks like something i would love. and i can't wait to see the quilt you make from those fabrics…they are a lovely bunch. 🙂
You are so right and I think I'm in love to and must go buy it.
I feel the exact same way about my quilts. :0)
They are so special when they are snuggled under.
love your stack! so pretty!
not too sappy for me… that's the good stuff!
I totally agree! I make all mine to be used! 🙂 I gave my mom one once, and she has it hanging over her banister – never been used. I asked her about it, and why she doesn't use it (it was after all a blood sweat and tears quilt!) she said "it's so pretty, I don't want to ruin it!". LOL I was like MOM! It was made to be snuggled under!! haha! Nope, she still won't use it!
Me too..I get it. i like quilts with a little "wear and tear" from years of snuggles.
I am adding that to my christmas wish list! I love the idea of quilt love.
I completely agree about using quilts. Using them is what makes them special.
Oh I totally agree with you and that's why I love making quilts for members of my family. Sometimes I think it's silly because when I make a quilt for someone special in mind (example : my mom), I feel like all the love and positive energy I have for this person goes into the quilt so once the quilt if gifted, they can wrap themselves in my love for them. So yes, I agree with you 🙂
Entirely agree. There is so much soul in a quilt made with an eclectic bunch of fabrics rather than from one 'designer' line. And yay…you're back on the right-hand side 🙂
I so agree. Well said. And I ordered the book straight away :-)!
This harkens back to the story of the Velveteen Bunny. Tear!
I made a couple of quilts for a friend who regards them so highly ( which is nice) but she won't let her children use them. 🙁
Completely agree! I'll have to add that book to my collection 🙂
Not too sappy at all! I'm making a quilt right now for husband – a simple strip quilt – but he's already so happy and excited about, it makes sewing it that much more pleasurable. And knowing that it will be used and used and used is just wonderful.
Well spoken and I agree!! Have a super great sewing and stitching day!
Yes, great sentiments and I love that book mostly because of the black dog on the cover!
I need to check out the book! You fabric stash from the last photo looks delicious.. 🙂 Happy Holiday~
Please do tell.… what is the fabric 5, 8, 12 from left to right? Two of which have a similar pink polka dot pattern and the (8) pink floral is gorgeous! Anything that love is put into should be appreciated like this 😉
I just wrote a new blog post listing the fabrics:)
I had not heard of this book. I'm ordering it. Now.
I have just been looking at her gorgeous work as well. Can't wait to get the book. Your stack of fabric looks wonderful. I would love to know what the last two pieces on the very bottom are, such a beautiful soft pink and aqua.
i wrote a new blog post with a list of the fabrics:)
Oh how right you are! Quilts are made to be used & nothing pleases me more than to see one I've made being argued over by my children. "I had it first" lol If over time they start to show their wear & tear, it pleases me even more. It means it was truly "loved". I haven't seen the book but hopefully will soon. I have always loved your work & style of quilting. Happy Holidays!
Hi there. I tried to order the book, but it said not yet released. Hmmm, did Santa come early to your house ? : )
That's strange! I purchased mine at at the book store over a month ago!
not sappy, i believe all that to be true. my favourite quilt that I made is one that I pieced and quilted by hand with no rhyme or reason. It's just strips of a bunch of scraps that I had accumulated and wanted to use instead of throwing away. It kept growing over the span of a year until i had no scraps left. Strips from dresses I made for my daughter and nieces, scraps from the first quilts I made for my kids, pillows i had in the house…it was done by Christmas 2007 and we took it to our family cottage for the holidays. we still use it everyday.
You are not too sappy at all! I totally agree with you. I love to USE quilts, not put them up…that's how they become loved and treasured. I've made a few quilts and they are used all year long, every day. I'm the same way with antiques too, my vintage flour sifter and pastry blender…I use them all the time. I love your blog..I think this is the first time I commented. I come here frequently. 🙂
I agree completely. Thanks for summing it up so nicely!
I really love your taste in fabrics! I'm off to check out this book – thanks!
I love Cassandra's work, and her idea of working with old clothes to create useful quilts for savor and remember. My (few) quilts are all done with this idea, and I love them 🙂