Carli The Quilter

This is my most recent make. A memory quilt for a female business owner who commissioned me to make 2 quilts, but then enough scraps were left and a third was commissioned as well. Making memory quilts are a spiritual experience for me. It's a huge honour to take a real person's clothing and make them into a quilt that is a cuddly reminder. A men's wool blazer, skiing clothing, sweats, t-shirts, dress shirts, ties and denim jean's arrived about 12 weeks ago. I have to take time reflect on what I know about the deceased which was very little except how he died. But his life was filled to the brim with love. I wanted to be respectful of his accomplishments and success. The first memory quilt measured app. throw size 54 in. by 59 in. flannel backing from upcycled sheet. Three denim quilts in a row is quite a bit of work.  But now, I've been deep into my hexie quilt for the wedding this late summer. More of that next time. Happy Quilt...

I have made many quilts that are not even photographed and you have forgotten where they all actually went to in the mail or via a hug. I sometimes see one of my quilts by surprise and its like meeting an old friend. I have great memories of each quilt, I can remember all the little issues or joy of discovery in each one, sometimes you spend only a few hours with each one or sometimes its many days, weeks or months to their completion. Enjoy a sampling of some quilts I've made, given away and some were commissions too. I still take commissions on making memory quilts, as they are my favorite. Its a personal journey to use a persons clothing into a quilt. Each one is lovingly worked on with mindful fingers, needles and thread. My Blue Denim Quilt, jeans and  vintage barkcloth. Made around 2010. A snippet from a Denim Photo Quilt 2016 Smithers Centennial Quilt 2013 Canadian Endangered Species Quilt for my hubby, has wool batting, very warm, perfect for cold chilly nights. 2009 Madusa...

Crazy Heart CQ started some time ago. Truth be told I had begun the inner 'heart' while I was mulling over getting started on the Smithers Centennial Quilt which was the early days of 2012. How time flies! I decided again this spring of 2017 it was time that 'Crazy Heart' found a home and direction. I had originally used some fringy braid that was hand sewn around the outside edge of the heart. But when I reviewed this peice, the fringy braid had to go. It was this initial start to remove the fringy braid that I realised underneath the braid, the heart was simply hand sewn with a light hand. The new trim I chose to use was brown and black varigated wool. I did a quick and rustic whip stitch twice over to couch it down to the center of the quilt. I have been working on this quilt in hopes of getting it done for my sister's birthday, but missed that deadline and so it goes. But only time will tell me when its done! In the meantime, here...