Wednesday 4 September 2013

A new WIP for my 'maman spirituelle'

I have started a new lap quilt! This one I am making for one of the sweetest ladies I have ever met. We shared a hospital room in France for 5 days in 2011 after I broke my ankle skiing ... ouch:


My 'roomie' was Lydia; a very elegant, petite, loving, spiritual lady who had slipped on an icy pavement and had broken her femur. She didn't speak any English and I only knew a little conversational French from school but during those 5 days, we became friends. We laughed, we cried, we told stories we prayed, we sang ... she made those 5 days a truly memorable experience. 

She had no children (like me) and told me that she felt I was the daughter she never had (gulp!) and called herself my 'maman spirituelle' which means spiritual mother. Since then, we have written lots - Lydia is much better than I at keeping in touch and I owe her a letter or two. So, I decided I'm going to send her a special gift with the next letter.

I chose this fabric from my stash as I thought the colours were 'elegant' enough for Lydia but I couldn't think of a pattern:



By chance on Saturday morning, I opened an email from Craftsy (offering up to 80% off my first course) and went to their website. Having looked around the different classes (you can have a sneak preview at both the tutors and their classes, which is really good), I liked the style and energy of Nancy Smith and joined her class:


Over the last few days, listening to Nancy on my iPad whilst sewing, it was almost like having a friend in the room. I must try and get an actual group of quilters together one day *sigh * for some quilting - anyway, here was my first block:



Happy with that, I cut all my strips (just about had enough by cutting 2" strips and using the smaller fat quarters of fabric first) then I kept checking against the first block to make sure I sewed in order:



I wasn't sure whether to add another row of the green so waited until I had finished all 4 blocks: 



And I'm still not sure! I can add the 2" strips now or add a wider border ... hmmmm, I'll decide on Saturday. Linking up


11 comments:

  1. Your blocks are lovely. As usual :)
    Dont know about the green either - could you se it as sashing, rather than another border round the block? Whats the binding going to be?
    Keep us posted xxx

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  2. Ok. That is the best cast I have ever seen! I am sure she will love your gift

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  3. Why of course your cast was pink! What a wonderful story, and a great reason to make another quilt. You are such a great giver of quilts. I need to do this more. Can't wait to see it all together - what an eye for color you have!

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  4. These blocks are so lovely! I'm sure your maman spirituelle will love it! Will you sash them with the green? Or use it for a border? Whatever you decide, it will be pretty.

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  5. Lovely quilt top! Sure she will be delighted.

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  6. Aah, such beautiful colours!! and I love it just the way it is,. I would reserve the green for the sashing.

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  7. What a beautiful quilt it will be. I love Craftsy classes. Did you know you could sell patterns there. I think you should mark up the snooker pattern and have a go at it....

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  8. Handmade gifts are the best. She would love it

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  9. I love your pink cast:-) What a nice story! I'm sure she'll be delighted with your present.

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  10. What a lovely positive thing to come out of your accident. Your blocks are beautiful, such pretty colours. I'm sure Lydia will be so pleased to receive the quilt.

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I love reading all your comments, I know it takes time to write them but they make me smile so thank you for dropping by :)