Garden quilt

Photo taken in abundant sunshine, as the weather report likes to say.

I’ve changed the name of the khaki cloth to the garden quilt. It’s almost half done. I’m going to finish stitching the bottom half together and then work on making squares for the top half. It currently measures 53″ wide and 51″ tall. There are a few awkward gaps that need small patches. Sam is bothered by the gaps. I think he’s thinking like someone that works with hard materials, carpentry, plumbing. I said “The whole thing is made of patches. Don’t you think I can make a cloth patch any size I want?” So there.

I think the top half will be a very different pattern from the bottom. I’d like it to give the effect of plants in spring or summer, with leaves and fruit. The pinks and reds and oranges are starting to come in at the top edge. I brainstormed some ideas on how to make the top look different.

• Diagonal strips? or a maze-like effect?
• Smaller squares?
• Triangles? and curves? I need to revisit Jude’s small cloth lessons.
• More white?
• Maybe an irregular edge on the top border?

It’s been really fun to work on this cloth and it suits my working process perfectly. I can work on very small components every day and then play around putting them together. Very enjoyable.

Today’s stitching involved four triangular blocks. 1-1/2″ square. Green on green. I like that I can make all different shapes by rearranging these. I also really like how the stitched hem flattens them and gives them integrity. Simple pleasures.

We are going on a brief road trip today, further downeast to Milbridge to take a tour of the Incredible Edible Milbridge gardens. They are really incredible and I’m eager to hear more about them.