A few weeks ago, a friend contacted me with a possible quilt commission inspired by a blessing he had written in honor of his mom's retirement. She had been a teacher for many years, and after reading what he'd written, there were several words/thoughts that resonated.... threads, mosaic, changing shapes. I sent him photos of a few general quilt design ideas, and the one he chose was my Home Away from Home.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0BNi_C-uXBA_qeJs3DZHg1-OhoDzeIO8gr1Ab5vLCPeQDVdtJu7RzKX3J9kGX0gTfAq-POmkN2HphnZF85ycAWlpxKf-IjhZQKqyEOrcVQ-4HatzKgsVRRdNUL1IhFAojNHb_gFyVAdQb7Rbn7bWB6TuBaLPq60YXTZl3rksWYr9sO5qlKZ8BduQx6I/w640-h640/PXL_20240601_230120579~2.jpg)
As for a palette, we settled on something subtle as a connection to the mentions of whispers, influence in quiet places, sacred hush, a silent promise, echoes, that he'd used in his blessing. "Fall colors and earth tones," he said, so
from my stash I initially pulled a mixture of substrates and textures:- Kona Ice Frappe, Oyster, Snow
- Diamond Textiles wovens - Top Stitch in Pale Jade, Crossed in Cream, Lined in Sage
- Riley Blake Designs' Grid in Seaglass
- a pair of textured solids
Once I got started, I knew I needed more solids, and brought in:
- Kona Haze
- Cotton Couture Powder Blue
- Northcott Colorworks Pearl
I made piles of improv quarter log cabin blocks, and then puzzled them together similarly to my process with the inspiration quilt. For a backing, I wanted an overall design that would complement the front, and chose Rifle Verte in Cream from fabricBUBB, hoping it would work. And boy, did it. I couldn't have chosen anything better if I'd selected in person, right down to the bit of blue that went so nicely with the CC Powder Blue in the quilt top.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOsazOzr0LhWQGHLtcuUIn7P7royh_kjzZJhcw1LnaTQ5hd9xguD_lWzS_7X20BhyphenhyphenFUZgTad8fVj7TQ6GEwYkPPBaIu-8i0OMjXB-ViNzQEaxJMLvG5JI5-2UWRgEmnZoUwYMHHXgfCNJkaGMc1QjgVsdFYjS8e7Gda9bcydCXzSezot6jU6tvzJOPo6M/w640-h640/PXL_20240601_230142545.jpg)
Due to the width of the quilt top, I chose to pattern-match the backing. Years ago, my guild-mate Matt @odditease had shown me how to pattern-match a quilt backing, otherwise I never would have thought, or tried, to do it for this quilt. But I think it's just what was needed. so I was glad I took the time to do it. And for your reference, Samantha @aqua_paisley has a terrific tutorial on her blog if you're interested in trying it sometime.
I used Quilter's Dream Select in Natural batting, a product I haven't used a lot, but I'm thinking that might be what contributed to the quilt's rich texture. Using Aurifil 40wt 6722 [Sea Biscuit] and 2021 [Natural White] along with Aurifil 50wt 2843 [Light Grey Green], I quilted a combination of straight any wavy lines to echo the journeys of one's life.
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Bound primarily in Kona Oyster, the lap quilt measured 52" x 54". Since the quilt was to be a gift, I thought it would be nice to deliver it in a coordinating fabric gift bag.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4Dt844RmfRljSegElLVjNSesT75BrjPZmHrlk1iSyhaZWtTcXnPjcx4jUfjPRSMsYGEbG-H3pR-QWqYEyjij-0ulZ4C776kd6bT67NOu-3NPFf7uP-0Egkr1kqIbl8krjC8R4comct_-ijV5GKieDnj6KHgGinJh0F6mSSB2b6YlpA0XYyF754UC3AY/w640-h640/PXL_20240601_233220517~2.jpg)
So that was an enjoyable odyssey into improv with intent.... but not overtly, obviously so. But hopefully my friend - and his mom - can be reminded of her influence over the years, the mosaic of experiences, and trust that even efforts that often went unseen, will continue to be felt.