For the record, thread does not have an expiry date. If you take good care of your thread, that is, you keep it out of the sun etc .... there is no reason why it shouldn't last.
Today, I am hand stitching the binding on a quilt to be used as a sample for the shoppe and guess what I'm using? My grandmother's thread.
As I stitch the binding, I think of my grandmother, Yvonne, and how I miss her so much. I am reminded of her many talents and joie de vive.
Quilting for me is a way to reconnect with the past. Some memories are personal and some are not. When I use reproduction prints, I think of the women from that era and the joys and hardships they endured. Their daily motto of make do or make without, something that is foreign to many of us today!
As I piece a quilt for someone, that individual is constantly on my mind. The quilt becomes imbued with memories and personal energy. When I look at that project, the stories come to mind, the same way the thread evokes memories of my grandmother. Every quilt has a story!
This is a reminder for me to take the time to enjoy the process. It's not a race or contest of "how many projects can I complete" but more of a slowing down and enjoying the quilt story as it unfolds and evolves with every stitch.
How is your quilt story coming along?
6 comments:
Hi Carole,
I agree with you for the thread.
And I agree with every word you wrote about hand sewing and hand quilting.
When I hand quilt, I too think of those women of the past. I feel in harmony with them.
Diane
you are so right.....
I know nothing about thread but I enjoy your post and your beautiful work!
I feel the same way, I love using older items in my pieces and the stories behind them, as well as, putting myself into the gifts I make.
Debbie
I've had some of my older threads break when stitching with them, but for the most part they seem to work well.
Good to hear about the thread! I have lots of old thread, but when I use it I worry that it might somehow be weakened with age. And I totally agree with you - quality over quantity!!!
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