A Colorful Thread: August 2023
Weaving together my life as a maker and other spheres of life.
Best of Stitched in Color {August}
On My Mind
Experimenting:: Cutting diamond points for Starbright Stars that show off directional fabrics. I have always cut the diamonds for this quilt with fabric efficiency in mind, but that is not the only way to do it. If you use an already-cut diamond as a template, you can fussy cut diamonds on directional fabrics to make exploding or spinning stars. I’ll show you the results on Monday!
Sponsor of the Week
NAnno Creative
Your favorite Dutch quilt shop is moving this fall, and you know what that means - Moving Sale! Help them tidy and lighten up for the big move. Save 20% on clear-out products. The sale is just begun!
Reading:: My Father’s Dragon trilogy aloud to Elora. Once upon a time I read this to Aria and Liam, and now it is Elora’s turn. My Father’s Dragon is a sweet fantasy story without scary villains or intense danger. It’s perfect for your softer souls. We’re enjoying!
Celebrating:: a miniature masterpiece by @LizBlois47. She made an eensy teensy mini version of my Wild Oranges quilt pattern to put in the window of her dollhouse quilt shop. Whaaaat!?!?! I am totally smitten!
Anticipating:: Autumn. I am a September baby, and the coming time of year is my favorite. I do so anticipate the changing, fading, transforming colors of fall. After the frenzy of summer, it feels nice to settle again into home and hearth, making things, planning things, nestling into the cozy corners of life.
Here are some happy moments from seasons past. What treasures will this autumn hold?
Featured Freebie
How to Choose Batting
Stitched in Color includes a library of free tutorials, more than 10 years in the making. Each month I’ll feature one to spread the good news.
Much time, effort and resources go into making a bed quilt of any size, but especially a big bed quilt for a queen or king size bed. You've carefully selected fabrics and a patchwork style. Have you given batting the same thoughtful consideration? The right choice depends on your priorities.
Isn’t this season pregnant with possibilities? A fresh school year is just begun. We stand on the brink of the holiday season and fast on its heels the new year.
I feel curious when I consider what the future holds. Life can so surprise you. My 40th year has been so full and so unexpected. First Aria moved out of the house and shocked us with a young engagement. Then came the outward dissolution of my own marriage and a new love in my life. In one sense I feel as if I’ve made it through something in my 40th year on this planet. In another I feel the intense preciousness of this past year, which marks my transformation as mother and woman. I wouldn’t give it up for anything.
Here’s to the year ahead in life, love and creativity.
xoxo,
Rachel
