I wanted to make a quilt with the colors of nature. I went to my pictures of Alaska. I’ve visited several regions, with a variety of landscapes. Some snowed upon, some not.
The vast waters mirrored endless images and colors of the land and sky.endlessness . . . . .
I started this quilt while in San Miguel de Allende for a month, escaping the Texas summer here. San Miguel is a charming colonial-era city in Mexico's central highlands . . . and my favorite place to visit in Mexico.
On the quaint cobblestone streets, you can find a variety of bustling markets, with vendors selling their handmade wares. The city is known for it's thriving arts scene and cultural events.
I set up my work station with my Singer Featherweight on this gorgeous dinning table in our colonial rental. . .
... a delightful ironing station in the kitchen. . . so charming.
I spent the mornings up on the veranda enjoying the colorful views, the filtered sun and aromatic breezes, with an occasional ringing of a church bell-tower.
The afternoons brought cooling showers, giving everything a fresh cleaning, and the perfect time to sew.
This is actually a checker board design, but I like the words postage quilt so that's what it is :)
My original plan was a match-stick pattern through-out, in one direction. Silly me, I didn't realize that match-stick quilting in one direction through out would shrink down to a long skinny quilt.
I started staggering the tight lines and added lines going the opposite direction until it was the shape that I was looking for.
quilt stats
aprox size 63x80, washed
batting - Winline 100% Bamboo, 6 oz. (a heavier weight for colder climates), renewable, breathable, durable fibers with anti-bacterial properties.
quilt - postage pattern (check board pattern, actually)
fabrics - various textured Konas, wovens and linen essex, depicting the colors of nature
quilting pattern -staggering tight and loose straight lines
thread - Aurifil 2890
On the back, I quilted the last line of a metta (positive energy and kindness towards others) practice:
"... and may you live with an unguarded heart"