"You are exactly the kind of loud-mouthed, wise-ass, brown woman who will be made an example of."
Paul's fear for my safety was obvious. Partly at his urging and partly out of caution, my blog focused on "just quilting" in 2025. As articulate and courageous I may have appeared to you, I was chilled into silence.
I kept my head down. A new job meant I had plenty to occupy my time. A long commute gives me time to meditate.
Not my most productive, but here are a few of my favorite projects of 2025.
1. Honi - A modern interpretation of Irish Chain, and made with Island Batik collection Fusion, Honi was a nod to our Hawaii vacation. Honi also won the Viewers' Choice Award.
2. Nirali - A modern interpretation of a Crazy Quilt, and made with the Island Batik collection Everlasting, Nirali was also the post with most comments.
3. Leader of the Pack - The greater the challenge the greater is the sense of accomplishment!
4. Hot Stuff (Oliso Cover) - An unlikely project but I love how it turned out.
5. Doblest - Doblest is the most meaningful quilt I made this year. Channeling my frustration, and honoring a nation, my work speaks when I may not.
My patterns were published a few times.
1. Dreaming of Daylilies - Dreaming of Daylilies was published in Annie's "For Love of Precuts". I used the leftovers to make a baby quilt which was promptly gifted :-)
2. Joyful - Joyful was published in the Special Christmas Publication by Annie's Attic Quilting.
3. Stella - Stella was published in the We Like Quilting digital/online magazine's September 2025 issue and she made the cover! I am thrilled.
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| Picture Courtesy - We Like Quilting |
4. Milo - Milo is a layer-cake friendly quilt published in Annie's Perfectly Precut - Simple Quilts With Precut Squares - of Quilter's World.
5. Let's Dance - Let's Dance was published in Quilter's World. Purple stars (secondary design) emerge when blocks come together and that makes me dance :-)
6. Trillium Trail - Trillium Trail was published in the January 2026 issue of American Quilter.
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And I wrote a few new patterns.
2. Westfield (67" by 81") - Layer Cake Friendly Pattern
3. Veronica (60" by 84") - Layer Cake Friendly Pattern
4. Yamini (60" by 80") - Jelly Roll Friendly Pattern
5. Niko (60" by 84") - Jelly Roll Friendly Pattern
In conclusion, Rosemary kept us occupied.
My friends kept me sane.
Paul kept me.
What can I say about 2026?
"Hope is the consequence of action more than its cause."
The events of this year have chilled me into silence. But I urge you to speak up, show up, and stand up for truth. All my positive energies are with you.
I will be sharing with Meadow Mist Designs - Best of 2025 and all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.
It looks to me like you had an extremely productive year. You produced many beautiful quilts, plus published so many wonderful patterns.
ReplyDeleteI hate that you feel unable to speak your mind, but your caution is certainly understandable in the current environment. Stay safe.
I'm amazed with all you accomplished this year given how much time was taken up with your new job and commute. I hope that your friends, community, and our collective energies help you feel supported and cared for in the new year. Sending you love.
ReplyDeleteDear Preeti - I have missed your articulate commentary and insights and I am truly sad that you have "chilled". What a frightful place we live in right now. You are so wonderfully creative - I wish you all the best in 2026 and onward. Know that there are many of us who seldom comment but miss you and care for you and hope for you. :)
ReplyDelete2025, the year it became dangerous for women, particular women of color, to be who we are. This year goes down in the history of my life as the worst to date!
ReplyDeleteI have thought of you off and on this year and realized your blog was quite - I thought of your safety in this awful world we live in right now and feel Paul's concern for you. It isn't right that you need to keep your down and be silent - but for your safety do what is best for you - I hope it will be a better world soon.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on a very productive quilty year! :)
ReplyDeleteyou've created some gorgeous quilts this year. and you had to commute to work? my heart breaks for you and all others who have to leave their house in fear. It is wrong and I hope this country corrects itself very very quickly!
ReplyDeleteMy heart weeps for you-what has our county become that people should be terrorized for their opinions? You chose a wise path-the fanatics are truly dangerous. May you be safe in the protective arms of Paul, and your friends.
ReplyDeleteYour projects for the year are beautiful, and that backpack would have had me in fits. Doblest is my favorite.
May 2026 be the return of decency and goodwill.
I've often wondered how you do it. . .commuting such a long distance, working and then producing such amazing, vibrant quilts! I hope the coming year is full of good--TerryK@OnGoingProjects
ReplyDeleteI understand your predicament completely. My son-in-law is a naturalized US citizen, originally from Singapore. He and his family live in Houston. He feels safe in metropolitan Houston, but the rest of Texas is scary. He keeps a go bag packed, just in case. It shouldn't be like this, but I don't see an easy or quick end to it. Be well, keep creating, and know that many people out here support you.
ReplyDeletePat
I'm so sorry that this happened to you. I hope that one day it will be safe to be ourselves but unfortunately it may take a while. I wish you all the best in 2026 - do what you need to do, and keep enjoying yourself. Thanks for linking up to FM Mavericks. Tomorrow will be a new party :-) I Quilted This! See you there.
ReplyDeleteI weep for a country whose leaders no longer respect it's laws.
ReplyDeleteDid someone write that in a comment on your blog? I'm so sorry - that makes me cry. You are an amazing, creative, beautiful soul, and I'm sorry they made you feel afraid. Thank you for sharing your words and your quilts with all of us!
ReplyDeleteMy heart aches for you and other targeted individuals. In all my 79 years I have never felt so bad for what has happened to our country. Your abuse gives me courage to continue to express my opinion to those in charge. So far it has fallen on deaf ears.
ReplyDeleteSo many beautiful quilts and successes like magazine covers, and while i congratulate you on all of these, I am incredibly sad that you felt the need to silence yourself. May 2026 bring you the freedom to speak your truth, or at least, shine a light in that direction. Peace.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great tour of beautiful quilts! You have a distinctive modern style that appeals to both beginners and more advanced quilters. Well done!
ReplyDeleteI’m acting to turn the tide toward democratic freedom and a second Reconstruction! I don’t always feel terribly hopeful, but I’m not quitting. I’m a federal contractor and have lost 50% of my work because of the awful decisions of our fellow citizens. And yet, I know my privilege as a White US-born citizen, and I’m using it. I’m glad you have Paul, friends, and Rosemary. Your quilting year seems very productive to me, and I’m glad you continue to share your work here.
ReplyDeletePlease, do not be silent, you have the creativity that the world needs. Your quilts help to brighten the quilting world and for for us. You have been busy and I hope that you and yours will have a healthy and safe New year. The quilting world needs you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful year you have had creatively -You designs are wonderful and the colors you use brighten the world. I think your opinion does too. Hugs to you - thank you for being you
ReplyDeleteI agree with all the previous comments. Keep creating, it’s what keeps us sane. Know that the folks you connect with are lifted up by you. Sending love your way.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry you don't feel safe. I dislike the country we seem to have become. Your year was terrific tho!!! Love all the quilty goodness.
ReplyDeleteI think you have had many great accomplishments this year. I love your quilts. My heart breaks for you living with these fears. I have missed your conversations. Hope and prayers that 2026 brings change and sanity to our country.
ReplyDeleteHaving lived a life in which my externals placed me comfortably in the majority, although my internals most often pushed me to the left edge of society, it is my duty to speak up now because I can do so in relative safety--a white woman who would identify as middle class and non-threatening, shocked to find myself in "grandma age" rather than angry-young-woman status in which I began protesting. For some people, simply existing in lives of integrity these days speaks volumes of protest against the current regime. Placing oneself in danger is not required. We are in this together.
ReplyDeleteRemember that you are very precious to your readers and friends and we will judge you only by the colors of your quilts. And they are WONDERFUL and full of wonder! Thanks for all the joy you bring us your readers. Happy New Year!!!!!
ReplyDelete2025 brought things we felt long gone and impossible in modern societies. I used to love your narrative but I understand that your safety comes first. I send you all my love and support from overseas for 2026.
ReplyDeletePreeti, I haven't commented in quite some time, but I have to echo the importance of your staying safe. I know the temptation of wanting to fix the world, but putting yourself in danger will not change anything, except perhaps, your life.
ReplyDeleteI tried to quickly look through your quilts (Wow!) but it's hours later and finding an exit in this rabbit hole of your stunning quilts is absolutely necessary. I've missed your sunny banter and colorful quilts!
It breaks my heart and Paul’s worry for you shows such love and caring. Your safety is the most important thing. There are other, silent, ways to fight the situation we find ourselves. It’s a scary and shameful time and my heart is with you.
ReplyDeleteHello from Oldsmar FL! How do I order? and do you sell just pre cut kits, or can I get patterns/
ReplyDeleteI've been worried about my friends that don't look like me, or weren't born here, you included. It does seem that you've spent your "quiet time" making lovely things and that's enough. Anyone who doesn't understand that...well... Keep doing what you need to do to feel safe and know there are a lot of us out here who care about you and all the others being silenced.
ReplyDeleteYou made some wonderful quilts this year. Congratulations on all the publications this year. Hoping 2026 brings more sanity and safety to everyone.
ReplyDeleteEvery one of your projects is beautiful. You have a great eye for color and design, and hope you can continue with that. My opinion is that NO ONE in this country should feel they can't speak freely, but I totally understand that fear chilling your voice. I really hope that 2026 brings more kindness and sanity to this country. I'm not very optimistic, but I am hopeful.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you that "chilling" is safer for anyone in the category other than US born white. Love your projects
ReplyDeleteI am grateful you have a supportive spouse and good friends to stand by you. I try to speak with my vote and occasionally with my artwork. I think of you and others, trying to stay below the radar, when they have done nothing wrong and have given so much and wish I could do more. Yet somehow you continue to produce innovative, stunning work.
ReplyDeleteA chilling year indeed, but it was warmed by your presence in our lives and the beauty you create. I love seeing your projects - all so beautiful! Looking forward to 2026 and hoping things moderate some and that there are some strong pushbacks…I am ashamed of what this country has become and what we have done to our friends.
ReplyDeleteOhh, Preeti, I have missed a whole year of your posts. What beauty! I really need to go back and catch up because these are fabulous, and I love that you were published. I am glad that your chilled silence did not affect your vibrant quilty expression. I am so sorry for the hate that you have had to endure. 2025 was such a difficult year, so heavy. Let us look ahead with hope and let our quilts speak volumes.
ReplyDeleteI've just discovered your blog. Your work is amazing! I'm so sorry your speech has been chilled. My heart goes out to you. It shouldn't be happening in this country. It's so deeply disturbing. It makes it more imperative that those of us who are not (yet) targeted speak up.
ReplyDeleteSorry to read about your challenges. Know That You are loved and respected in blogland. You are so talented and productive.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful year of creativity you've had. I miss your voice but respect and agree with your choice. Um, meditating while driving seems a bit, uh, dangerous! Warm hugs are on their way to you and Paul. Heck, even the cat should get a warm hug! Love your show of quilts from the year.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear you were threatened for your beliefs! While I do not mix my politics with business you always have and I found your voice refreshing and important. But it is wise I think to stay safe to continue the fight than to confront the crazies. I wish you a new year filled with creativity and quilts! Thanks for sharing on my weekly show and tell, Wednesday Wait Loss.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.inquiringquilter.com/questions/2025/12/31/wednesday-wait-loss-465
You had a good year of quilts, Preeti! Thanks for sharing with us at Monday Musings. Wishing you a Healthy and Happy 2026!
ReplyDeleteI love your quilts and have read your blog for quite a while. You are so creative and your quilt patterns are beautiful. I am so sorry that our country has turned into this awful place and that our leaders are so insensitive to our citizens. I am so sorry that such a lovely person as you feels unsafe. I hope that 2026 is a better year for you, Paul, me, and the whole country!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilts
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