My Quilty Journey

Welcome to my spot on the Quilters Meet and Greet. I want to thank Benita for this meet and greet, quilters social on the web.

It is a big party and ther are big prizes to be won!!! The best part - you don't even have to get dressed or comb your hair. Ready? Here I go...

The quilt for my MIL (Paul's mom)

How did I begin this quilty journey?
I watched a documentary on quilts/quilting when a friend invited me to her guild meeting.  She also taught me to thread my machine. We made a grocery bag from a t-shirt, one afternoon. That was 2012. The rest is history.

Vera - my first quilting teacher

What was my first quilt?
It was like a mini trip around the world with three fabrics - yellow, green and a floral print.  I quilted it on my very basic Brother machine. It was so wonky - about 1.5" difference in sides.

My first Quilt

How many quilts have I made?
Just over 100, but who is counting :-D

What is my most memorable quilt?
So many quilts, so many memories. The quilt I made for my mom - The Queen's Necklace - is very special.  I wanted to impress her which is a tall order because she is an accomplished sewist herself. The fact that she took pride in my work made it the most memorable quilt.

For my mom

The Queen's Necklace

My Twitter Feed is a close second. This was so much fun to make. I wanted to make the next bird and then another one.  I received so many comments on that post and it was well-loved at the quilt show too.

My Twitter Feed

Birds of all Colors

What do I like best about quilting?
It is heartening and life-affirming to see that total strangers come together to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by tragedy and misfortune.
Sue (MSQC member) started a Stillborn Bereavement Comfort Quilts group so that parents of stillborn babies have a small memento to hold and cherish.

Earlier this year, Ventura Modern Quilt Guild led the effort to make relief quilts for those affected by the Thomas Fire in California. The suggested quilt block was designed by one of the guild members.

Perkiomen Valley Quilt Block

Finished Quilt - Savanna

I participated and when the quilt reached its destination, Annie found it, posed with it and posted it on her blog.


Alycia is another quilter/blogger who regularly makes quilts for veterans while inspiring others to do the same.
When Montreal Modern Quilt Guild requested house blocks so that they could be made into quilts for the victims of the Quebec City mosque shooting, many of us responded. These are the house blocks I made for the effort.

My contribution for those affected by the Quebec City Mosque shooting

My friend Sandra donates to a seniors' residence inner town and to the Windsor Sexual Assault Centre in Canada.

Sandra and me from our recent trip to NY and Canada

Sarah Craig coordinates the Hands2Help charity quilts with many quilters and bloggers supporting the effort.

After hurricane Harvey, KaHolly sent out a request. She wanted Doggone Cute blocks (free tutorial by Lorna of Sew FreshQuilts) so that they could be made into a wall hanging for auction to help the pets/pet-owners affected by Harvey. Of course, I responded.

Doggone Cute blocks sent to KaHolly

Bernie brought our attention to A Doll Like Me. I too made a few doll quilts.

Doll quilts for A Doll Like Me

The response was so overwhelming that it exceeded all expectations. Read about it here.

When Amy Gerlich requested for support for her superhero boy Axel, I reached out to Bonnie Hunter.

Bonnie Hunter, the superstar

What happened next is nothing short of a miracle. Thanks to Bonnie's shoutout, the quilting community responded with such an outpouring of love and support that the goal was met and exceeded in just one day. March 27, 2018 was the best day ever!!!

But it is not just about charities and worthy causes.  It is also about inspiration and guidance. I have learned so much from other quilters and bloggers. My friend Jennifer taught me how to bury knots and even got me some cheater needles. It is a small thing but I had no idea. I think of her every time I bury knots.

Mari of Academic Quilter shares these Block of the Month tutorials - all free.  And she made me the cutest mini quilt.

Mari and me - at the Lancaster Quilt Show

from Mari for me

I love Jayne of Twiggy and Opal. Her work is so refreshing. I am always inspired by her. This personalized trapunto quilt was her gift to me. Lucky me :-)

Personalized (for me) Trapunto by Jayne of Twiggy & Opal

When Kelly of My Quilt Infatuation asked me if I'd like to participate in the bloghop to promote her new book (Stash Statement Quilts) I was thrilled to bits, because I already loved her quilts and her tutorials.

I not only enjoyed making making Fire Pit but also learned a lot about improvisation.

Fire Pit (designed by Kelly Young)

Julie of QuiltDivaJulie is another prolific quilter and teacher. I recently discovered her Free Pieced Barn Project. I just got the book and I am looking forward to explore it. Do check out her work, you will be impressed.

There are so many other quilters/bloggers who inspire me that this list could go on for ever. But when my work inspires someone, oh my goodness, that is such an intoxicating feeling. I can almost jump with joy.

partial seams (Paulitiks tutorial)

Recently I received an email from Gill Fraser who followed the tutorial for Paulitiks (a quilt I made for Paul) and made this quilt. She hand quilted this beauty. Love the quilt!!!

By Gill Fraser

My readers celebrated with me when I bought a new machine.

My new Elna

When my mom underwent surgery, I was a mess of emotions, but I received an overwhelming outpouring of support, with many readers' experiences echoing my own. When I share funny conversations with Paul, it amuses so many.

With Paul

When I shared a personal story of love and longing, I could feel the love and warmth in the many comments that followed. Being aware of this common thread - that whatever affects me, affects someone else too, that we are so inextricably connected with each other through our varied experiences - is the essence of the community. And that is what I love the most,

Any disappointments?
Yes. There have been times when I have made articles to sell at a craft show. They don't sell well enough, even the small and inexpensive items. Last year, I teamed up with my friend, Cynthia, who makes jewelry. We jointly paid for a spot at the local high school craft show.

Pouches and Baskets at the Sterling Fest

Baby blankets and quilts for sale

It took us a couple of hours to set up shop. We had lots of interests but not many sales. I am just glad that we made the cost of the table and a small profit. It took us over an hour to dismantle everything, pack and bring everything back.

Pencil Cases & peapods

It was an exhausting day and not very fulfilling. Now I make things to give and if/when someone wants to pay for them, it is a pleasant surprise.

The second source of disappointment is folks who do not appreciate quilts. This does not happen often but there have been times when I gave a quilt as a gift at a baby shower or a birthday, and heard nothing. Absolutely nothing. Forget a thank you note or an email, not even an acknowledgement. That indifference is most disappointing. I know I should give with complete detachment, but I am not there yet.


Where do I see myself in 20 years?
I have often joked that my day job gets in the way of quilting.  In 20 years, I expect to be retired and be quilting full time. I hope to share my love of quilting with others, maybe through teaching.

Why do I quilt?
I made a quilt to celebrate our new house.

Homeful

When Paul and I had a fight, I was distraught, and I made a quilt.

Side Effects

I made a quilt to deal with feelings of jealousy.

How I conquered the green-eyed monster

I made a quilt to honor a friend.

Midnight Garden for Angel

I made a quilt to thank a co-worker.

To Greener Pastures

I made a quilt as a retirement gift for a boss.

Respectfully Yours

But mostly, I make a quilt because I am inspired.

Shadow of Light

And right now I am making a quilt to gift to a co-worker as her wedding gift.

A work in progress

Enough about me. What is your most loved quilt? What do you like about quilting?

Did you enter for the grand prize yet?

I'd love to hear from you.
I will be linking with all my favorite linky parties.  See full list on the sidebar.

Homeful!!!

If you know me you also know that I am a fan of Bollywood music. The poetry-rich meaningful songs don't quite make a splash as much as the peppy foot-tapping numbers.  And while the peppy songs make me smile, it is the poetic songs that will often hit me hard.

There is the title song from the Hindi movie Fiza, which has the following line...
Maine tinke uthaye hue hain paron par, aashiyana nahin hai mera.

Translation - I am carrying twigs on my wings, I do not have a nest.
It is a poetic way of saying, I am wandering. I have no home. It is not that she is homeless. It is symbolic of her yearning and her rootless state.

Fabric Audition

For many years I felt that way too.  And whenever I heard the song, it struck a chord with me, so much so that I felt tears streaming down my cheeks.
When I walked out of my troubled marriage many years ago, I felt uprooted.  I went to school here in the US and changed jobs a few times. Felt independent and free but there was no place to call Home. I did not belong.  I just longed...for home.

A few at a time...

Meeting and marrying Paul was one of the best things that happened to me. Yet, I felt that I was still carrying the twigs on my wings. Only after we bought a house, with our savings, with both our names on the deed, and our stuff/junk in every room, do I feel like I have come home...my home.

Pink and Purple Houses

The messier it is, the greater the sense of ownership. (Yes, that is why I don't clean...but that is another story). Now that I feel grounded (in a good way), I can listen to the song without tearing up.

To celebrate this feeling, I wanted to make a quilt with houses. And I did. A few blocks at a time.
Some purple and pink, some blue and yellow, and the neighborhood seemed to come together.  Then I thought, this neighborhood needs trees. A treeless neighborhood would be sad. So I made some trees.

Fabric Scraps - Transformed

Won't it be nice if someone was waiting for you when you returned home? And that special someone would also keep an eye on your neighborhood. That is when I made this block.

My favorite house

I created these blocks a few at a time, using scraps, fat quarters and bindings leftovers. Bit by bit I built my neighborhood. The blocks added up and they waited, and waited some more.

Lots of Trees

Larger Trees - Assembly Line

Just like your home (and your puppy) waits for you and is there for you when you return, so also these blocks waited for me to come around and make them into a quilt!!!

The quilt is entirely scrappy. The gingham fabrics came from my mother-in-law's stash. The tree fabrics were remnants. Some of them were in fabric basket won at a guild meeting.  And when I wanted a specific color, I bought a few fat quarters.

Finished Top

The making of this quilt has been a journey just like buying our house.  Among other things, I wanted a north-facing entrance to the house, because it is considered auspicious in Indian culture. Paul wanted a house with a yard and without any Home Owners Association (HOA). Fortunately, we found a house that met both our requirements.

We are homeowners

However, unlike the house that belongs to both of us, the quilt is all mine!!!

Puppies and Angels

My favorite house and the tall trees

It is mine for so many reasons. It is wonky. The roofs are made with HSTs, that were all cut on the bias (wonky), squaring was optional (wonkier), and the overall quilt is not square (wonkiest).

Dappled

Some houses had their rooftop points clipped in piecing.  I am sure no one will want that :-D
The backing is an old sheet bought from a Goodwill Store.

Wonky, mismatched fabrics, scrappy, crooked, tucks in quilting, haphazard, very colorful, eye-popping bright = Preeti's Quilt.

There are a total of 71 houses in 10 rows and about 46 trees. The finished quilt is about 70" by 90".

I am in love...

Paul: That house looks a bit crooked.
Preeti: Remember, there is no HOA.
Paul: Looks like there are no regulations.
Preeti: You are not invited to this neighborhood party.

Basting, in process

Used my favorite batting - Warm & Natural. I quilted it using curvy lines, after I used a decorative stitch to secure the rows together.

White Backing (Sheet from Goodwill)

Paul, the model :-)

The binding is leftover from a pillowcase I made for Divik, my nephew.
With the white backing and the very Christmas-y binding, I think I just gave myself a Christmas present.

Striped Binding

Christmas in July - how appropriate. Oh no, did I do something appropriate???
That is so unlike me, tch, tch, tch...

Here are few more pictures of the finished quilt.

Yes, Paul is on a chair!!!

Thank you, Paul

Close-Up

This block is for Jonesie, our cat

See the Angel?

Blue House and Yellow Dog

Here is the label.  I decided to call it "Homeful".  Yes, it is like Hopeful but it is also the opposite of Homeless. I have laid down roots...

Homeful!!!

Floral Door, Doors with Disco Lights - My Neighborhood, No HOA, No Rules!!!

Lots of Trees!

Did you miss me?

Lighting up my backyard

Puppy Love

Merry Christmas (in July) to Me!!!

Homeful is on my bed and this is the one I will be sleeping under every night.  I might even take it with me on car trips. Just like a favorite/familiar song that you want to hum on all trips, I want to make sure that I have my favorite comforting quilt with me at all times.

Right here, wagging for you!!!

Creating this quilt has made me so happy that I might just wag my tail!!!
If you were a puppy, what would make you wag your tail?  I'd love to hear your thoughts.