I believe that each of our creative projects holds a special story worth sharing. These past few months, I've spent evenings and weekends writing short stories. This personal project has been a tremendous source of healing while tapping into my inspired imagination.
Like many quilters, I learned to sew on a treadle sewing machine when I was in grammar school, and made most of my clothes in high school. When I transitioned to quilting, about 25 years ago, I documented all of the quilts that I created, made an extra block as a keepsake, and made a sketch of each label with my signature magenta French knot. My plan had been to create a digital memory book one day.
Then, we lost everything in a 2020 regional wildfire.
During the house re-build, I found it difficult to shop for fabric. How could I think about my creative space when we were dealing with supply-chain issues? I missed my log book where I documented the quilt name, recipient, occasion, date, and hours.
I thought it might be easier to visit antique shops and look for quilts that needed a home. I began taking photos of those quilts, and those in private collections. Surprisingly, the majority did not have any documentation. When I inquired, not much was known about any of the quilts.
Since losing my journal, and our treasured quilts, I felt a connection to the quilts that were missing their precious labels. Writing provided the creative outlet while I was grieving all that we had lost.
"A Charm Pack of Short Stories” is a collection of fictional narratives that is a work in progress. My writing gives the unlabeled quilts a voice to share their imagined stories with the world, while highlighting the importance of labeling our quilts. Be sure to check back for updates, or subscribe to my blog so you can follow my progress.
"If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it." ~Toni Morrison
I'd love to hear about your writing journey - especially if it includes sewing or quilts.
Thank you for stopping by.
XOXOX