Short Beach Dreams

This piece is a collaboration between my mom and I.  Mom keeps current on quilting trends by watching everything on YouTube.

She recently saw this video for the Cutting Corners Quilt by Jordan Fabrics, and fell in love with the technique. When she couldn’t find the exact fabric she wanted, she had me order a bolt. (It’s good to have friends with quilt shops).
I guess the bolt didn’t arrive quickly enough, because before I could say “it’s on the way”, she had ordered this other batik fabric and pieced a bunch of blocks.
She must have run out of steam after that, because a bag of half square triangle blocks arrived at my house, along with leftover fabric, and a large piece of Kona for the back. My instructions were to do whatever.
I have to admit, mom’s projects usually get pushed to the bottom of the pile. This time, she got lucky. My guild had run a Back to Basics program all year, which I had not participated in. I joined part way through the year, and wasn’t especially enthusiastic about the whole program.
Well, upon my election to the role of president, I was informed that I should have my non-existent quilt included in the guild display at New Jersey QuiltFest.
😱
I had three months to get my quilt together. No problem, right? I spent a few hours sketching, a few more whining, and several pulling fabric, cutting, and making a huge mess. I didn’t like any of it.
Suddenly, I remembered mom’s blocks. One wheedling phone call later, I was happily squaring up mom’s blocks and putting them on the design wall.
I liked the look of stacked tiles I got from arranging the squares by groups of color value.
I happily brought the top to the next meeting, showed it off, then completely forgot about it. Once in a while I would have an itch, but I’ve been so busy I haven’t gotten to finishing it. (I really prefer to work on client pieces, because of my whole “make money” business plan.)
The day before QuiltFest setup arrived. I spent the morning quilting it, despite Darla behaving like a brat and breaking thread constantly. I had to be in NYC that evening, so I left the quilt partially bound and waiting for it’s sleeve to be attached.
I quilted wavy lines across the quilt. I can claim it is a modern design, but really it is super fast and easy. My original thoughts were more elaborate, but sometimes there just isn’t time to get all fancy.
I love to attach binding while the quilt is attached to the longarm. It is faster, although sometimes not as precise as I like it to be.

This quilt finished at 52″ x 68″.  The batting is Toasty Cotton*, by Fairfield.  I quilted using Superior Sew Fine thread on top and Bottom Line in the bobbin.
So, why Short Beach Dreams? Mom has declared that this quilt will be a gift for my aunt and uncle, who live in my grandparents’ home in Short Beach, Connecticut. I spent many childhood hours watching the ocean there. The colors in this piece remind me of the play of light on the water on a lazy summer afternoon.
I miss that place, but I haven’t been back since right after my grandmother died. I don’t know that I ever will. It won’t be the same without her there.

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