Feature Friday - Laurel (Your New Hostess!)

I'm Laurel, from Winnipeg, Manitoba. My blog is named "Stitches" and it can  be found at http://laurelsstitches.blogspot.ca/

I am the smallest one in this photo.

I have been sewing for as long as I can remember. My first project was sewing a purse from what Mom cut from the bottoms of each pant leg as she was hemming Dad's new pants. It was the 1970s and men were wearing some pretty funky patterned pants. I remember being thrilled. I also loved the worn button that held my new purse closed. Mom taught me almost everything I know about sewing and crocheting. By watching her, I also learned a lot about embroidery and other fibre arts. And gardening, preserving, and cooking too. I couldn't have wished for a better Mom.

I moved to Manitoba to learn more about my craft and attained a Bachelor of Human Ecology degree in Clothing and Textiles. I learned a tremendous amount and met a group of very dedicated professors. I have worked for a clothing manufacturer and a couple of clothing retailers.

Over the past few years, I have not been as active in my craft as I would have liked to be. I would still buy fabric and yarn. I would still develop lots of ideas about what to make. I simply didn't make doing something about my creative ideas near to the top of my priorities.

That has recently changed. My collection of fabric is calling to me. The collection of dog-themed fabric I bought (about 10 years ago) to make one of my nephews a quilt has made it's way to the cutting board and the sewing machine, and is now awaiting the final stitches on the binding. I think my nephew may have outgrown the dog theme, so I also found some travel/postcard-themed fabric at Periwinkle (in Saskatoon) to make a second quilt. (I think I'll let him choose which suits him best.)

Over the past few months, I am happy to have sorted through all most all of my "stash" and made plans for most of it. I machine quilted my first three quilts last week and am thrilled with how they have turned out. I consider myself as a bit of a beginner again. I am surprised about what I have forgotten from when sewing was a daily process. I am glad to once again find myself in a store (usually at Jocelyn's in Gimli) or online (with you kind people), with a group of other creative people, ready to receive and give advice and suggestions. When I find myself with some time in a new town, I automatically head for the quilting, yarn, or art store to surround myself with the energy that creative people share.

Today, I am sharing photos of three of my early quilts. I have almost finished hand quilting the very colourful batik quilt. The other two quilts were machine quilted for me by a very skilled quilter who is currently focusing only on her own quilts.

One of the things I have learned (about the planning process) is that when I'm collecting fat quarters or jelly rolls for a quilt is to plan the border and the binding. Once you look at my beginner quilts, you will quickly notice my struggle to bind the quilts in a manner in which I am comfortable.

If you visit my blog, please know that I have a lot to add, my photography will improve, and that I am always happy to hear your comments. I am learning a lot from you, so please keep posting.

Your new Hostess,
Laurel

I'm simply travelling along my seam line of life, one stitch at a time.