Sunday 4 March 2018

Pulling up my quilting socks

It's been a while since I've posted my quilting progress, mostly because there hasn't been much.  Last year I hit a pretty steady pattern, doing about 2 hours of quilting most evenings.  This year I haven't come close.  On one level that's okay; this is meant to be what I do for fun, after all.  On the other hand I do like to finish something once in a while.  So it's time for me to pull up my socks and get this one moving along.  
I may not be doing much actual stitching but I am doing a lot of thinking about quilting.  As part of that I wanted to look at the Welsh and Durham traditions in the UK, and have just acquired this book: 

I bought it to learn about the quilting, but there's so much more in there.  There's history and culture: I have learned that many Welsh quilts were made by professional quilters, some of whom travelled from farm to farm, replenishing the housewife's stock of bedding, using fabrics and wadding she supplied, and then moving on.  The best of them could make two quilts a week!!!

There are also many beautiful examples of piecing to enjoy and lots of inspiration.  So I may be taking time out of my stitching this Sunday to enjoy the pretty pictures and do some more pondering.

Linking up with Kathy for Slow Sunday Stitching.


16 comments:

The Cozy Quilter said...

Quilting and learning about quilting...sounds blissful to me!

Libby in TN said...

I got interested in Welsh quilting when I became intrigued with what we in America call "strippy" quilts, or columnar quilts, the tradition for which may have originated in Wales.

KaHolly said...

Traveling quilters! What an interesting concept!

Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl said...

Wow, making 2 quilts a week and traveling the country sounds fascinating indeed!!

CathieJ said...

That looks like a great book. Pondering is fun, but I think you should do some quilting while you ponder as that quilt you are working on is very pretty.

Quilter Kathy said...

Sounds like a wonderful book to be reading while quilting this lovely quilt!

Karen said...

The quilt on the cover of the book would be a doozer to applique but would be a wonderful addition to a quilt collection.

patty a. said...

Two quilts a week - they must have never slept! It is time for me to pull up my socks too! I need to get going on my AHIQ log cabin quilt.

patty a. said...

Oh, I checked to see if the library had that book and they did not. I did find out that there is a place on the library web page to suggest a purchase so I suggested this book. I was told the library has the budget to buy books so suggestions help them buy materials that are in demand.

Sandy Panagos said...

I didn't know that bit of history. Sounds like you're going to learn all kinds of interesting things from that book.

Mystic Quilter said...

Happy to see you're back to quilting and enjoy the book!

helenjean@midgetgemquilts said...

we have just great phrasings, you are pulling up your socks, and I am putting on my big girl pants! All just to get some quilting done.

Lisa J. said...

That looks like an interesting book. My ancestry is mostly Welsh. I share Jen's last name. I know me and countless others. Your quilt is very beautiful.

Ann said...

History, culture, and quilts. Great combination.

Carli The Quilter said...

Your quilting choice will be in keeping with your adventurous spirit. But your Jen Jones quilt book is also on my list. Looking forward to a wee peak inside it's cover??

Soma @ inkTorrents.com said...

2 quilts a week?! I am happy if I finish one quilt in a year. I love learning this kind of history and the cover of the book is so beautiful! Enjoy the book and the quilting :)

-Soma