Stitching Genes

Sometimes I conjure images of being brought into this world with skis on my feet and a sewing needle in my fingers. Actually it was my mother who taught me to love and crave all things creative and specifically sewing. The first daughter after two sons, the day I was born my father marched to the Bernina store and bought my mother the nicest sewing machine they made...she still has it! They don't make them like they used to. Mom taught me that the inside of everything I stitched must be as beautiful as the outside, and to have pride in everything I create. Making something with your hands with nothing but the simplicity of thread moving in and out of fabric...is so satisfying. Being of Danish descent, I come from a line of creative women...you might even say it is in my genes. Since I've stitched a few quilts in my lifetime...ok quite a few...I've started making quilts that are challenging, often taking months or even years to complete.

This is one of those. The pattern is a Sue Spargo design which shows off Sue's love of vivid color and folk art.

At first glance you may miss all the details on this quilt. For instance this Eagle's chest is filled with tiny punched wool circles sewed on with french knots.

 Every single applique has been embellished with Valdani threads, silk threads, buttons, and more using a myriad of embroidery stitches.

Finishing the quilt late last summer, I decided to share it at our local county fair. Handing my quilt off to the helpers accepting all the local hand-made quilts, the woman gazed off-handedly at my work, thinking I had embellished the quilt with a little trim here and there.

Upon closer examination, her mouth gaped when she realized the hours and hours of work I obviously had put into this little wall hanging sized quilt.

These little adorable gold stitches are called drizzle stitches.

This quilt sat in my lap for months as block by block I added details,

and fell in love with every single inch of it.

As it turned out my quilt was well received winning the grand prize ribbon of the fair. Not long after, I received offers to purchase it. The price seemed so extravagant for such a little quilt. But this bright piece of my handwork had stitched it's way into my heart and there was no way I was willing to give it up. Today I finally hung it on my quilt wall...and it makes me so happy to see it hanging there.