I could have...

I could have waited for when I have more time...

I could have waited for my retirement...

I could have...

But because I could not afford to buy a quilt - I mean a beautiful handpieced and handquilted quilt- that I would have loved to have in my home, I decided, many years ago, that I would learn to quilt, that I would make my own quilts. I did start stitching samplers too! Why would limit myself to only one art form? Samplers would look nice on my walls too, wouldn't they?

I have learnt so much since that time. With each new quilt, with each new stitch, with each new fabric, there is something to learn.



It is also true with this quilt! Indeed, this time, I have learnt to do Broderie Perse but not only that! I've learnt to be patient, to enjoy every stitch. I have learnt to  try not to keep thinking about the finished quilt but just the next piece and .... without even thinking of making significant progress, just because I was just thinking of finishing the next border, the next block, it has come along nicely, quickly, magicallly.


 I am using the fabrics from the kit, which means that this quilt will not be unique...well, in fact, that is what most people think. But I completely disagree! Why is that so, you might ask? Well, this quilt is UNIQUE to ME. I may have used the same fabrics but it is pieced by my hands, each stitch bears so much than thread holding fabrics together. I holds my feelings, my thoughts and lots of meditative time in it and so much more.

Just look at the details... can you see that it's just a bit more than just stitching fabric together.



 


 



And once, the quilt top is complete, there will be the handquilting process which will turn a beautiful top into a unique quilt... to me.

So guess what?



I am happy that I have not waited to be retired to start doing something... I may not have started  anything at all  ;-)

And last but not least, quilting involves a lot of sharing time via social networks as well as in real life. It creates a kind of bond with like-minded people and it makes the world a smaller and better place :-) And just that makes me happy!

Just in case (but I doubt it) someone does know what pattern it is, this is the Di Ford Mystery Quilt that was published in Quiltmania in 2014.

Until later,

Comments

  1. Il est très beau ton quilt Di Ford. Moi je suis toujours à la première partie.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Indeed, ... why wait for retirement when you can enjoy making it now ;-)
    Its a beautiful quilt !!

    ReplyDelete
  3. The quilt looks so lively, with the combo of colors. I agree that it is unique to you. Hope you continue to grow and learn from the process as you hand quilt. How big will the quilt eventually be?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There are two more rows (1 1/2 inch + 5 inch) and a large border (3 3/4 inch). Once finished the quilt will be 62 1/2 x 62 1/2 (158.5 cm x 158.5 cm).
      Thank you for stopping by ;-)

      Delete
  4. Love your posting, and I totally agree. Making it yourself is so cool, and it looks great!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Bravo ..tu as bien travaillé sur cet ouvrage....
    Il est splendide

    ReplyDelete
  6. How divine it looks! I have just started learning to quilt, one day I will create something as awesome as this is!

    Lovely, lovely work here, David. Congratulations!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Magnifique David, magnifique et unique XXX

    ReplyDelete
  8. David, your quilt looks magnificent! You are a very talented quilter! I admire your work!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wonderful post David and your quilt is, as always, beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Magnifique David ! Congratulations on such beautiful work . And I agree with with all your comments . I make quilts for the absolute joy I get from making them , all the processes that create them and your hands stitching them ! May we keep stitching for all our days !

    ReplyDelete
  11. So agree. Just wait until you start all those stars!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Amazing! Congratulations, David!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Me encanta!!! Es un trabajo precioso <3
    Besos, Paki :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Cuanta razon tienes, David!
    Es un hermoso trabajo, espero verlo terminado...un saludo afectuoso.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Beautiful words. It is always the journey and the pleasure it creates.

    ReplyDelete
  16. This is the most beautiful quilt I have ever seen! A family heirloom for sure.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Your quilt is beautiful! Good on you for not waiting!

    ReplyDelete
  18. C'est vraiment beautiful de chez beautiful!!!!
    Félicitations!

    ReplyDelete
  19. What beautiful words and your quilt is beautiful too. It doesn't matter what other ones are out there, as long as you love your quilt and the precious memories it brings.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Outre la joliesse et la précision de tous vos ouvrages et tout particulièrement de celui-ci, je vous remercie d'avoir su exprimer si justement pourquoi nous alignons jour après jour des milliers de petits points, sans lassitude mais au contraire avec un enthousiasme et une patience que les non-quilteurs admirent mais ne comprennent pas. Je vous remercie car votre analyse rejoint si bien la mienne que je me permettrai de l'utiliser pour me justifier auprès de ceux qui s'interrogent autour de moi.

    ReplyDelete
  21. David, I think it is a Masterpiece! I'd love to learn quilting too!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Les travaux d'aiguilles sont une excellente source de méditation :)
    Ton ouvrage va être unique car c'est le détail qui fait la différence et sur ce point, tu es très doué. :) bonne semaine David

    ReplyDelete
  23. David, this is such an inspirational post. The quilt is wonderful, a joy to behold, but more than that it's such a metaphor for having a "live in the moment and get on with it" attitude to life! I'm forever putting things off but this is such a good example of what happens if you don't!thank you. Penny L in Dorset

    ReplyDelete
  24. I didn't know the good English words .... to say ...

    But your story is true and ( the quilt) suprising too :o))

    ReplyDelete
  25. Toujours aussi agréable à voir tes ouvrages progresser au fil des mois et celui est une nouvelle merveille en cours de réalisation.
    Effectivement chaque ouvrage est unique même si les tissus sont les mêmes que ceux employé par la créatrice mais chaque ouvrage à une histoire différente.......tu as si bien décrit tout cela.
    Bon petits points David.

    ReplyDelete
  26. un quilt d'une rare beauté !! tu vas pouvoir te surpasser maintenant pour le quilting car c'est ça qui va le rendre sublime !!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Your stitching looks wonderful! Right now is always the best time to do the things we love.:)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Your reason for starting quilting is the same as mine. Back in the late '80's I saw an old quilt in a shop, but could not afford it. I had never seen anything like it before and really wanted to have a quilt for myself. So I entered a beginner's course and a passion was born! You are right, each quilt is unique, because of its maker and any personal touches added. It is a lovely mystery, the best QM have ever done, but then you can count on Di Ford to do a wonderful job!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Je n'ai pas tout compris au niveau du texte ;-( mais les images parlent d'elles mêmes! c'est splendide, quel ouvrage!
    Bonne visite à Nantes et bonne lecture des fantaisies de Cécile F. que je découvrirai seulement quelques jours plus tard...
    Bons petits points
    Alexandra (AtelierFilles)

    ReplyDelete
  30. Wow, what an achievement. Beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Divine work ! You can be proud of yourself. Thank you for sharing :-)

    ReplyDelete
  32. Votre travail est de toute beauté, comme d'habitude ! J'ai hâte de voir votre Di Ford quilté !

    ReplyDelete
  33. Hello David, Found your wonderful blog on the Net via the Grow your Blog pages. Love your work, so glad you didn't wait till your retired. Signed up to follow you so will be dropping by from time to time.
    Lorraine
    AKA Monkey Business and Quilts

    ReplyDelete
  34. Olé!! Bravo!! It´s a pity my husband doesn´t like stiching or quilting... You´re really a gem!! Felicidades desde España. Bon travail!!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Magnifique !!! Ca va être quelque chose, la retraite ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Merci... La retraite c'est pour dans....20 ans!!! Tu comprends donc pourquoi je n'attends pas ;-)

      Delete
  36. Magnifique, David ! Tu as raison, quand on ne se laisse pas "déborder" par tout ce qu'il y a encore à faire pour terminer un ouvrage, mais qu'on prend son temps pour apprécier le voyage, une étape après l'autre, même si cela est long ( je sais de quoi je parle, j'ai des en cours qui " traînent" depuis des années :-), les progrès se font sans y penser... toute une philosophie... ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  37. Ton travail est magnifique David, toutes mes félicitations! Prendre le temps, c'est tellement précieux de nos jours mais c'est de cette manière que le bonheur nous attend!
    Bisous

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment