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Tuesday, 7 March 2017

Quilting with words

Last year I made a quilt about my depression called Silent Scream, and started working on a second.  It was a cathartic exercise and made me feel happy whilst I was making them.  Fast forward 6 months or so and I'm feeling good.  The depression is in remission.  My mental health is the best it's been for years.  I'm happy.  Time to make a quilt to express that.

It is now my belief, and that of my family and friends who can't believe the change in me, that my marriage was making a huge contribution to the depression.  Now I'm free.  Now the future is mine.

This is a lyric from She Bangs The Drums by The Stone Roses (if you don't know them, go and have a listen on Spotify, you won't regret it!) and sums up how I feel perfectly.  It is improved pieced using various shades of blue for the words and a low volume scrappy background.

I've also been sewing together scraps of low volume to help make the background around the words.  It's now time to start putting it all together.  I really enjoy this method of patchwork.

This rather blurry photo shows the tools of my trade.  To the left of my sewing machine (I'm left-handed) is my cutting mat with my rotary cutter and my mini iron, essential for flattening all those seams, I'm pressing them open to reduce bulk.  If you haven't tried this technique, I'd urge you to give it a go!
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20 comments:

  1. Rachel7 March 2017 at 11:02

    Oh, that is such good news! You are certainly sounding better, and it's great to know that it's because you are feeling better!

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  2. Bethany7 March 2017 at 14:05

    Oh! I'm so glad to hear you're doing better!
    This kind of making looks like it's very therapeutic.

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  3. pennydog7 March 2017 at 15:02

    This is the best thing I have read all week, I am so glad you're in a more positive place, after the year you've had I'm not sure I would have been as strong as you.

    Left handers RULE OK

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  4. Anonymous7 March 2017 at 16:55

    That's great news...I'm so happy for you. Looking forward to seeing your finished quilt.

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  5. Christine B7 March 2017 at 20:34

    Good for you Wendy! I'm so happy to hear you feel in a much better place and your new quilt is coming along beautifully! Christine x

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  6. Cath7 March 2017 at 20:34

    So pleased to hear you are in a better place. It sounds like this project is just what you need.

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  7. Fiona7 March 2017 at 21:31

    I love your meaningful word quilts. Well done you for getting through this and coming out stronger and braver ...
    HUgz

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  8. Pamela8 March 2017 at 00:28

    Great project! Glad you are feeling better.

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  9. margaret8 March 2017 at 05:38

    what wonderful news that you are now feeling so well and able to move on in your life. Not tried to do letters liking what you are doing here

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  10. Allie-oops Designs8 March 2017 at 06:12

    I love this so much - go out and grab your future with both hands!

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  11. Anonymous8 March 2017 at 08:22

    Fantastic, both about your mental health improvement and also such a fabulous quilt!

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  12. Anonymous8 March 2017 at 09:21

    it's great to hear you're feeling positive and getting back to crafting with a vengeance!

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  13. Ann Young8 March 2017 at 14:42

    good for you. Great change and a super attitude. :)

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  14. Chris of UK City Crafter8 March 2017 at 17:35

    What a lovely uplifting post Wendy, so pleased to hear that you are feeling brighter. Your quilt is going to be brilliant - love your improv lettering, I must try it - just need to find a quote I like enough to immortalise it in fabric!

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  15. Mrs G10 March 2017 at 07:10

    Excellent news about your improved health and more positive outlook! As you know, I don't quilt to any extent, and I've not tried improv lettering before but seeing your quilt has set the old brain cogs turning, so I'm bookmarking this post of yours as a reminder to give it a try in the future. Although that would probably be the distant future of course...

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  16. Jane11 March 2017 at 05:15

    that is such good news to hear, so glad you can make a happy quilt

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  17. Unknown11 March 2017 at 09:59

    So pleased you are feeling so much better and positive, what a lovely idea for your quilt, enjoy your weekend xcx

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  18. Sarah in Stitches11 March 2017 at 14:53

    I'm so happy you're feeling good these days, Wendy! And I love the start of your new quilt. So happy and optimistic! :D

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  19. RobynLouise12 March 2017 at 04:55

    Can't wait to see this finished and where you will place it. You've created a great motivator for yourself and your future. Go Wendy!

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  20. Celtic Thistle20 March 2017 at 13:01

    What a marvellously positive post Wendy, the future is most definitely yours for the taking!

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