Last summer I took a class in improvisational quilting taught by Lynn Carson Harris. Like any improv, you work without a plan, keep saying yes, and keep building. Small blocks of fabric quickly came together. Then fit together to make a whole, adding and filling in as necessary.
Then I was urged to hand quilt it (that’s the visible stitching that holds it all together). I found the hand quilting to be a lovely mindless yet mindful activity which gives you space to think. It’s also wonderfully portable and traveled with me to many places including a fabulous beach vacation with friends!
In considering the details of the stitching, the piece spoke to me of the paths of my life. The many transitions, choices that surprised (pink!? chemistry?!), and the fitting together of experiences that led me from a 22 yr old zoologist to a 62 yr old quilter. And I’ve been quite fortunate in that the transitions were largely pretty seamless … one path or experience building on the previous … walking me from zoology to chemistry to marketing to writer to graphics and back to an original muse: fabric.
And now this little guy will be beating a path to Vermont to be exhibited in the Vermont Quilt Festival in June!