The Diary Quilt

This is one of the first projects I worked on, and the one that is so far and probably ever after going to be the most meaningful quilt to me. This quilt was inspired by a conversation with an aunt of mine, and uses the book A Quilter's Diary in Stitches by Mimi Dietrich, as a guide.

quilt top finished August 2013

Using the book, I journaled memories from each 5 and 10 year period of my life, remembering those things that most stand out and then choosing those which best sum up that slice of life. This quilt is a way for me to tell my story, for my boys and for whatever grandchildren might one day come, and I've shared some of the stories here in the blog as well.

I began this project before I owned a sewing machine, so each block is hand pieced, hand applique, hand embroidery. Some of the blocks (Moon in the Window, Sunbeam, Compass) were beyond my piecing abilities, so I did part piecing, part applique. Some turned out wonky looking (the Airplane block) but I'm leaving them because they are my first honest effort, and I like them.  Some I found out later should have been really hard (the Trip Around the World, which center square finishes at 6"...) but didn't seem bad to me since there were no pesky triangles. All are full of more meaning than I can, or am willing, to cram into the blog posts that tell the stories --- every fabric was chosen for a specific, deeply personal reason.

When I finish this quilt, sometime in 2013 I hope, it will be sashed with the black fabric that each block is shown on. I'll be sending it to my very favorite long-arm quilter to quilt, because I want custom quilting but do not have near the skill level to pull that off just yet. Assembly will be by machine.

Here are the blocks that summarize who I am. Enjoy the stories.....

Heritage Row: In the Beginning....
These four blocks are the "where do I come from" blocks -- tributes to my family of origin; specifically, my paternal grandparents (the only grandparents I was close to) and my mom & dad.

Airplane Block, for Grandpa

Christmas Star, for Grandma, Aunts & Uncles

Delectable Mountain, for Camping with Dad

Embroidered music, for Mom

Childhood Memories.... 
These are the blocks that sum up my childhood, those pre-teen years in particular. Hard times, good times, sad times, and the things and especially people that mattered the most back then. When I say "people," I mean Kelly. 

Broken Dishes, of the hard times....  

Crayon Box, for vibrant color....

Puss in the Corner, for Kelly....

Teenage Years.....
These are the blocks that sum up how I grew from little girl to young woman, and the people who left the deepest impressions on my life, heart & soul in the years from teen to twenty. 

Thrifty, for Grandma, and a Very Special Uncle

Card Tricks, for a Quirky Courtship....

Jewel Box, for my first job, and Grandma again....

Compass, for learning to find the way....

Married Life....
These blocks are just exactly that; from high school sweethearts to young married couple. Our love story, in fabric. 

True Love's Knot, because nothing else sums us up....

The V Block, because we are a family....

New Home, because 10 homes in 15 years is a lot....

Parenthood....
My dearest treasure in life has been motherhood; these are the blocks that represent the boys I mother, and of course the pets they insist I care for as well. Because a house is not a home without a pet or three or ten. 

My Three Sons in Fabric...
I told their stories, in brief, in this one post; below is each block. 

Moon in the Window....

Sunbeam...

Evening Star....

Pets Tribute Improv Block....

Who Am I....
These are the blocks just about me, about the things and places and people that have shaped me and now compose my spiritual, emotional DNA; the things that make me, Me. 

Ocean Waves, because the sea is in my DNA...

Books, for my dearest imaginary friends who live in the pages...

Circle of Friends, for the people who loved me....

What Might the Future Hold.....
These are the blocks about where I am going, who I am still becoming. 

Strength in Union, for a Texan in Brazil....

Ohio Star, for a new found love of quilting and the mentors on that journey....

Trip Around the World, because my traveling days are not over....

Dream Weaver, because I cannot wait to see what the future holds for my boys....

And that's it.....those are the blocks that sum up who I am, where I come from, where I'm going, and all those I've loved & been loved by along the way. Thanks for taking the time to read along.