Life is full of rules that dictate much of our daily lives, everything from what we eat to how we work and how we interact in the world. Many rules are important, ahem like our environmental protections that safeguard our resources and protect our health, or double ahem, like washing our hands frequently. Just imagine what life would be like with no traffic laws, which even if loosely followed, remain essential to our safety. Regulations are there for a reason and most of the time*, there is solid evidence to support their benefit for the greater good. *No comment on recently enacted laws that are politically motivated and exclusionary.
In addition to all of the rules that we adhere to on a daily basis, there are also oodles of strong opinions and societal expectations too, including how we express ourselves creatively. Just look at all of the rules and opinions regarding how we dress. There is so much nonsense around our clothing and who can/should wear what. The fashion commentators are a ruthless and fearful lot. Quilting as a creative endeavor is not immune from rules, judgment and critique. In modern quilt vernacular, the super opinionated rule enforcers/judgy folks are known as “The Quilt Police” and no one is immune from their wrath. No one! However in order to express ourselves authentically, some rules are meant to be broken.
This quilt began its life about 4 years ago as the Moccasin Quilt block of the month (BOM) pattern by Gen X Quilters. The benefits of a BOM quilt are that they are incredible technical skill builders and they are typically done through a quilt shop or group so there is a fun collective effort. The original pattern — and palette — of this quilt are really unique and piqued my interest. I started off strong with my monthly blocks and then never finished. Which is okay! You have this non-judgmental quilter’s permission and full support to take a break or stop working on projects. That said, I don’t believe in UFOs (unfinished objects, not our friendly planetary visitors) so I dug out my previously completed blocks and knew that I could rework them somehow. Some of these blocks were incredibly technical and took a couple of hours to make; they deserved to be in a good home in a quilt. So then dear readers, with permission from only myself, I went rogue.
Many rules were bent here on this quilt. First I completely changed the original pattern and designed my blanket around a newly formulated center medallion. Once I had the centerpiece in place, I then had to figure out a way to arrange blocks around it. I utilized the fabrics from the blocks I did not complete (sorry, Dresden plate) to make a few of my own original designs for the additions. Oh and I also made my first drunkard’s path blocks, which really were not as bad as feared. Apart from rearranging the entire pattern, the other major change was the substitution of the turquoise fabric into what was originally an all solid colored quilt. Shoutouts to my dearests Lisa and Amanda who always answer my “Is THIS too bizarre????????” (complete with the inappropriate amount of question marks) text messages and respond with enthusiasm for my ideas. I did all of this on the fly with no methodical spreadsheet or quilt mock up, laying out the pieces on my living room floor. Naturally yes, this do watcha wanna method can cause some consternation and plain old frustration. In this quilt’s case, it even required a consultation from the Quiltunes engineering department (aka my husband). But in the end, all of the extra nonconformist effort was all worthwhile to create a quilt out of unfinished blocks.
Before I go any further, I want to emphatically state that none of the above should be taken as a diss toward quilt patterns, organized kits or pattern designers. I believe from the very depth of my soul that ALL craft and creative making is a radical act of love, for yourself, for another, for humanity. Using a pattern or a quilt kit does not diminish your creative expenditure in any way. Even if 10 people make the same pattern using the same fabrics, each one will still have the individual makers creative imprint. In fact, going my own way has really made me appreciate just how damn hard it is to make a pattern — especially one that can be easily followed. And just how impressive it is that quilt designers can create patterns with different sizes. Wowza, that is some major expertise right there. Okay, thanks for letting me clarify that. Just please folks, keep making things and keep appreciating what is made by hand.
To really amp up the pizazz factor this quilt was professionally longarm quilted by a local genius. She helped me decide upon the edge-to-edge orange peel pantograph and did an exquisite job finishing this for me. Every time I have used a longarm quilter to finish a project, I think of them as my creative partner. They are adding their imprint and bringing their skill to the quilt too. To highlight her beautiful stitching, I used a solid color back on this quilt and yeah, I am in love with it. Thank you longarm quilters for sharing your gift with us.
Do Watcha Wanna is the not just the motto behind my design style, it is also the name — and complete lyrics! — of a song by the Rebirth Brass Band. I love the big buildups, the call and response between the different horn instruments and the awesome beat of the song. It is the perfect tune for dancing along in a parade. Or you know in my case, grooving along in your car, or sewing room, or kitchen — wherever the vibe takes you. I triple dog dare you to listen to this song and remain still. The song has become a standard covered by many brass bands because it has a phenomenal energy. Since 1983 (!) The Rebirth Brass Band has given the world some of the funkiest, most soulful brass band music out there. When I need to pump it up (or funk it up like another song), I grab a Rebirth cd. Fair warning to my diverse audience, some of the bands lyrics are rated PG-13+. Whenever I am going my own way creatively, I think of this song and it motivates me to do as the lyrics say.
This fun quilt was gifted to a cousin in celebration of his growing family. The colors are reminiscent of places that are important to us (New Mexico and Colorado) and this quilt is one-of-a-kind, just like him. I find it serendipitous when I’m working on a quilt with an untraditional color palette how frequently I then see these same colors out in nature as if the world is telling me, “See Jennifer, you ARE doing it right. Using your intuition as a guide and doing watcha wanna is working out creatively”. The do watcha wanna method can be intimidating, and yes sometimes frustrating, but I remind myself that it is also an incredibly safe way to express myself creatively. And it’s only fabric, so what is the worst that can happen? You can always rip it out and try again. Once again I want to close this post with my constant sentiment stating what a distinct honor it is to make things for people that will be used in their everyday lives. To be able to take blocks that were languishing in a cupboard and turn them into something that will provide warmth and comfort feels like a superpower. But really it is just that I am a quilter which IS a really extra special gift after all.
Quiltunes 