AROUND THE FRAME

Winter Quilting
Welcome to 2011!  
The celebrating is over and the new year is in full swing, it’s time to get down to some serious restoration/quilting work.
Winter time is quilting time. No heat or humidity, no sweat dripping on to the project. Feline Fur Children snuggle together and sleep the shorter days away rather than bother to supervise the latest project. Lots of moisturizer keeps the knuckles from cracking and bleeding. It is time to get down to some serious quilting.
Taking vacation time during the Christmas season tremendous progress is made on a project I have been quilting off-and-on for over a year. Forty-nine blocks, thirteen with custom designs and outer borders.  On my last day of freedom the finished squares are counted. The tally jumps from 21 to 29. More than half finished the project takes on a life of its own. The quilt designs mesh the overall effect shines; I am inspired to plug along and finish it soon. Other quilts await their turn to be reborn too.
Another great incentive to quilt during this time of year is to put to good use all of the quilting aides and gadgets you pick up at tremendous savings at the holiday sales.  
Wandering through Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts, I come across an aisle I hadn’t explored. Its shelves are full of wooden cut-out shapes. Simple shapes regularly priced between 29 cents and $1.29: turtle, elephant, fish, sun etc. Some painted others plain. I don’t know why other people buy them, but they are officially quilt stencils. Enlarged to various sizes, their outlines or full-color appliqués of them will turn up on future quilts bringing a little whimsy to them. Can the world have too much whimsy? Not for this quilter!
Lois Eubank is the owner of Born Again Quilts a restoration studio located in downtown Fort Wayne. Visit her website at www.bornagainquilts.com.

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