The story of this quilt began in September 2019.
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| Dancing Daylilies 70" by 90" |
It was the long weekend of Labor Day and I was playing with scraps... Moda Scrap Bag scraps, to be precise. The fabric is by Corey Yoder.
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| Scraps from Moda Scrap Bag |
Just piecing strips and making large blocks. I ended up with a flimsy of 50" square. Good enough for a large baby quilt. I set it aside and worked on quilts for the Socorro Foundation.
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| Almost Flimsy |
In October 2019, I traveled to India. I was tasked to convey a care package to Meetu (my sister's classmate). My sister lives in the US and Meetu lives in India. They went to medical school together and we all have been friends for many years.
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| Meetu at our wedding in 2008 |
Meetu is fighting breast cancer, my sister told me as she handed me a large canvas bag with books, a head scarf and other pink items.
When I went to see Meetu, I wasn't sure what to expect. Mom's trusted driver drove me to her house and asked me when he should return to pick me up. I told him to wait. I won't be long.
What if she was asleep or resting, I wondered. What if she felt uncomfortable about seeing me, I thought.
Her father-in-law opened the door and greeted me warmly. I was prepared to leave the bag with him. But he asked me to wait. Shortly thereafter Meetu came downstairs to see me. She looked tired and her head was covered with a scarf but her smile was intact.
We hugged. I handed her the bag of goodies. I am a courier, I commented.
She laughed. We chatted for a few minutes and I left.
When I returned to the US in November 2019, I knew what I had to do. I pulled out that flimsy. At 50" square it was great for a baby/toddler. Not for Meetu.
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| Matching Fabrics |
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| Layered Blocks |
Most of the Corey Yoder scraps were gone. So I found matching fabrics from my stash and made additional blocks. I needed another 38 blocks for a finished size of 70" by 90".
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| Adding Blocks |
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| Completed Flimsy |
I knew I wanted bright yellow for the backing but how should I quilt it? I wanted the quilting to be special. I marked the quilt top and quilted it using my walking foot. I love the design.
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| Walking Foot Quilting |
Yellow and red are not only bright and energizing they are also considered auspicious colors in Hindu culture. Red and gold striped binding completed the quilt.
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| Red and Gold Binding |
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| Labelled and Ready |
Dancing Daylilies was completed on January 3, 2020 and I sent it to my sister. She was scheduled to visit India in April 2020 and I knew she would happily take the quilt to Meetu. Yes, we act as couriers for each other all the time.
And then Covid happened and the whole world came to a standstill...for a long time.
In May 2020, the Mothers' Day card that we sent to my mom in India was returned to us. There was no way I was risking the quilt to the postal service.
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| Completed Quilt |
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| Scrappy and Yummy |
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| Coral, Orange, Green, Gray and Yellow |
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| Peek a Boo |
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| Bright and Beautiful |
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| Ready for You |
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| Waiting... |
My sister could not go to India in April 2020 or in April 2021. In May 2021, the quilt reached Meetu's daughter, who is a student in New Jersey. Last month the Dancing Daylilies reached Meetu. Finally.
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| Meetu with Dancing Daylilies |
Meetu has beaten the cancer. She has also decided on a different career path. Giving up her medical profession as an anesthesiologist, Meetu will be running a Yoga Center - practicing and teaching.
I wish her well in her new endeavors.
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In other news, subscriber emails have been successfully migrated from Feedburner to Follow.It. See the new button on top right.
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Quilters have been working on Positivity Quilts. Rachel's Positivity quilt reached Bernie.
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| Rachel's Positivity Quilt |
Thank you so much, Rachel. The Positivity Quilt Finished Flimsy Linky Party (and giveaway) is July 18, 2021.
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Island Batik July Challenge Giveaway Winners - The random number generator chose comments 53 and 47. Emails have been sent to Donna T and SandyZoo.
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Who says you cannot herd cats? Look at mine - all 12 of them, well-herded :-D
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| Novella - Original in Batiks (left) and in Florals |
Inspired by Katrin's floral cats, I made the Novella Wall Hanging pattern in florals. The Novella Wall Hanging (Table Runner) pattern is available at a discount in my Etsy Shop till July 15, 2021.
I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar. As usual, I'd love to hear from you about your journeys - long and short.
