The Washing of "The Jane"

This was the view from my chair over the weekend.

The chair became my comfort spot while I rested through the after effects of Moderna #2.

Friday afternoon upon returning home I got this crazy notion to NEST - see Saturday's post of spice cabinet clean out! 

This also lead me to finally jumping in and washing the Jane Stickle quilt that had been hanging in the basement studio at the Wallburg house for the past 13 years.

13 years?!  Yes.  And before that it hung in the living room of our house in Irmo, SC for another 4.

I had not washed it since finishing it to remove the chalk markings for my hand quilting designs, and to block it.

It was time.

I learned so much as a quilter through the making of this quilt.

So many different techniques employed.  So many favorite fabrics - and even some techniques tried and abandoned as "not my favorite" but it got the job done.

At first I was bound and determined to make my quilt as close to Jane's original as I could.  But a few blocks in I stalled out - because it wasn't speaking to ME.

I knew that Jane had used her own scrap bag to make her blocks - she wasn't losing herself in correlation -  her quilt was an expression of her own imagination. 

From that point on, I chose fabrics from my own scraps - not caring if they were "real Civil War reproductions" or not.

I used fabrics that had memory of being used in other things.  And I changed the width of the sashing, challenging myself to change the size of the border triangles to fit the new dimensions.

As I said - I learned a lot.

And some fabrics jus WILL FADE over time.

This purple block has seen the most fading over time.  It was once a vibrant red violet.  Now it is just a dirty faded lavender.   

And that's okay.  Don't we see that often in the vintage quilts we love so much?

I washed the quilt in the machine with warm water on "Bulky" and the washer still didn't want to stay balanced.  It took a few "spin" cycles to finally get it wrung out enough.

My soap?  A tide pod.  My quilts are washed the same way I wash my clothes.

I didn't put it in the dryer though - it hung here over the rail to air dry.

My quilt drying vantage point.

And it's safe to say that "Watching a quilt dry" was about all I could accomplish on Saturday.

"Mama, are you okay?"  "Yes, Zoey - just don't make me turn my head as my brain feels like Jello."

"Can someone turn up the fireplace? The chills are chattering my teeth."

"Why are my ears on fire?"

"Yes.  Yes, I do need a hoodie over my head, my socks and slippers also tucked under this quilt."

"So, you think my needing sunglasses to watch TV makes me look like a pink hooded Unabomber? Too bad. The screen is just TOO BRIGHT."

"Ivy, thank you for warming my feet!"

Saturday was rough. It was to be expected.  But it was not as bad as I had feared, and I slept through most of it.

My thanks to hubster and son for catering to my needs and fixing me the best comfort dinner of all times - Grilled cheese and tomato soup.

**Side note**  The Hubster, in true man fashion only felt a bit "off" and a nap on Saturday seemed to cure him of all side effects. Go figure.

Yesterday (Sunday) had me moving around just fine (Okay, by NOON!) and I am glad to be out the other side of the side effects from Covid inoculations. 

We do what we have to do to keep those around us who can't have vaccinations themselves safe.

Catching Rainbows off the porch at Quiltville Inn!

This kept me smiling!  The notes that came letting me know you are already digging in and making blocks for your own version of Catching Rainbows.  I love seeing the fabrics, the progress - and the stories of who you are making your quilt for.

We've all been through so much over the past year - we need a little bit of rainbow promise in our lives!

The printable PDF pattern for Catching Rainbows is now available at the introductory price of $9.00 in the digital patterns section of the Quiltville Store.  That's a 25% savings over the regular price of $12.00.

This price drop is good until May 1, 2021 when the price reverts back to full.

The great thing about PDF patterns is that they do not sell out!  There is no shortage of merchandise, they are instantly available everywhere around the world no matter where you call home.

You can view the files on your desktop, laptop, tablet or phone!  You don't even need to worry about printer ink and paper if you choose not to.

If this is your first time downloading digital patterns from my store to a computer click HERE.

If you intend to download to an iPhone/iPad click HERE.

Quilt size: 86’’ x 95.5’’

Entries are still coming in for our Catching Rainbows PDF pattern and fabric bundle gift-away!  Did you get your entry in yet? Head on over to last Friday's Post and enter!

Mix and match fabrics from all three different rolls for the ultimate rainbow eplosion in your own Catching Rainbows quilt!

Riley's Rainbow was named for Irene's sweet Yorkie Riley who made his way across the rainbow bridge recently. The Riley Roll has some different vibrant greens that the other two rolls do not have -

I love how all 3 rolls play together to create a wonderful mix.

Of course, you don't have to wait to see if you are a winner - head on over to Cotton To Quilts and see all of the scrappy goodness Irene has pulled together for you.

We have a brand new week ahead, and the sun is pushing away the remaining rain clouds overhead - It was the pounding spring rain at 5am that woke me this morning  

There was a wonderful layer of fog between the ridges in the distance - it's all gone now and the sun is shining brightly.

Other than a chiropractor visit this afternoon - my day will be MOSTLY free to sew!

How about you?

Quiltville Quote of the Day -

Sometimes remaining silent is truly the best (and only!) response! 

Have a giggly Monday, everyone!