Connections

It's been nearly a full month since I started making improv bead blocks, inspired by an element in Irene Roderick's "Improv Quilting." Besides being a way to use some scraps in a new quilt, I also decided to have the project be a sort of retirement commemoration for myself. Why not, right?

If you remember, the palette is that of the branding of the church where I worked - brick(ish), teal, gray, and purple. I pulled scraps in those colors, and for a while, just made strings and strings of 'beads.'

Eventually, of course, I needed to start coming up with an overall quilt design, and chose a long 'string' of bead blocks; which for me, represented the many connections I'd made over the years in my work. Pretty early on I decided I needed a common 'background' color, and settled on Kona Lighthouse. Then as I progressed along, I added in more background grays - Kona Silver and Titanium + a forgotten-named Cotton Couture gray. I incorporated them because I wasn't sure if I would have enough of the Lighthouse, and I'm so glad I did, as the mix added some fun interest I think. AND I was right - I ended up using every last inch of the Lighthouse by the time the quilt was finished.

Anyway, I 'strung' the groupings of beads, beginning at the top, and winding down to the bottom. Having the string begin and end off the edges of the quilt design seemed appropriate, since where I worked these past 23 years was our church home prior to my working there, and will continue to be into the years ahead. I know full well that many of the connections I've made in that place won't end because of my retirement; and of course, there will be new ones for sure.

For a quilt back, I imitated the strings of bead blocks on the front, supersized of course, using a bold and surprising Painter's Palette in Royalty as the background. I confess I kinda love it!

I quilted with Aurifil 50wt #2600 [light gray] on top, and #4030 [plum] in the bobbin. I simply echoed the lines of the bead edges and the strings, filling between them so lines of stitches did not exceed about three-quarters of an inch. 

A binding of Kona Lighthouse, the primary background color of the front, seemed unobtrusive and fitting, and the quilt finished at 53" x 63". 

It feels good to have this one done! It was a perfect project to work on these past weeks as I've settled into retirement. There are so many connections that have been meaningful over the years, and it's been nice to reflect on them as I worked on this quilt. Plus, I have a new lap quilt that I can enjoy going forward with so many memories stitched into it.