I think that we can all agree that 2020 has brought many challenges and changed our lives in innumerable ways. There are moments when I feel like 2020 is just one perpetual bad news feed — and I don’t even have a tv. It is hard to be a human right now and not internalize the continual gush of bad news. One morning, I was reading the news while drinking my coffee (a horrible habit, I know, I am working on this) and up popped a headline with Dr. Fauci warning of “a very dark winter ahead”. This statement just walloped my heart and I instantly felt like Eeyore with a cloud over my head.
However, I would not let this warning tarnish the beauty of a day off. I suddenly craved comfort and softness and light. I put on my favorite sweatshirt, a George Porter, Jr. hoodie, with cozy fleece leggings and hand knit socks and set up shop in my sewing room. I opened the curtains, pulled out some calm shades of linen and put Nick Drake on the stereo. For the next 3 hours, I enjoyed the comfort of my creative space, the texture of the linen and mellow music.
It is amazing what focusing on a creative endeavor can do for my head and my heart. The purpose of this piece came out of a necessity to turn my frown upside down; there was no idea other than to make something soothing. I started by cutting the yellow and light blue fabric with scissors into strips, which eventually turned into the striped blocks. Using scissors allowed me to create different lines while holding onto the fabric, whereas when slicing with a rotary cutter, you see the lines you are creating from above. Does this make sense? In other words, the scissors are a more tactile, less rushed way to make interesting lines. Once I had a trio of striped blocks in the yellow/blue duo, I did the same process with cream and spring green linens. All four of these colors are soft, calming and remind me of spring. Making this quilt also reminded me that lightness always follows a dark winter and that the darkness is temporary.
To finish this piece, I made a river like pattern diagonally across the quilt with a sashiko stitch (by hand) and light blue perle cotton. (There is a significance to the river design that the recipient will understand). Perle cotton is the same thread I used on my recent mountain quilt and I really dig what it adds to Saturday Sun. I hand quilted the remainder of the quilt around the big stitches, following the shape of the stripes. Hand quilting allowed me to extend my amount of time with the piece. There were cozy weekend mornings and lunch hours spent in the sun beam on our couch, where I took comfort in both the fabric and the motion of stitching. Oh, and this back is pretty darn cute too! The bird fabric has been in my stash for years and it fits well with this quilt.
I listened to mellow music during this quilt which is of note because a lot of the music I listen to is very upbeat, funky and let’s be honest, loud. But I do have a soft side too full of love for Elliott Smith, Gillian Welch, Sigur Ros, Bon Iver, Cat Power (aka Chan Marshall), Norah Jones and Nick Drake. Nick is the perfect musical accompaniment for weekend morning leisurely coffee drinking. Nick passed away at 26 and made only 3 studio albums and 1 compilation. He never achieved musical success while alive but has influenced many musicians. I am a big fan of both the “Pink Moon” and “Five Leaves Left” albums; his solo acoustic guitar on “Five Leaves” is no less than stunning. Nick’s music is heartfelt, raw, beautiful and timeless. “Saturday Sun” is a beautiful song with the sentiment that darkness and lightness co-exist.
I have to say, and I don’t think that I am alone here in my sentiment, that despite all of the darkness and the difficulties of 2020, there have also been some real positives. For one, it is forcing us to see that a slower pace is not a bad, boring way to live life. Another positive is that has allowed many of us to work from home and reclaim commute times and lunch hours — and in my case, also heal and stay healthy. Another big plus is that people have found hobbies such as baking, gardening, sewing and cooking are good for the soul. Personally, I have felt more creative this year than ever and I know that it is because of the harsh reality of 2020. I am no longer afraid of Dr. Fauci’s proclamation because I know that if I hunker down this winter, spring will emerge beautiful and welcoming.
Albums listened to: Nick Drake “Five Leaves Left”, “Bryter Layter”, “Pink Moon”; Eilen Jewell “Sundown over Ghost Town”; Bon Iver “Blood Bank”, “For Emma, Forever Ago”.
Quiltunes 