Swirls and The Quilt Festival

I can do hard things. And it turns out, they aren't always that hard.  I used to be nervous about colors and circles and intense quilting. After this project, I still am. But not as much.

Nearly three years ago, I saw a quilt top in a book called Strips'n'Curves by Louisa Smith. It was a strata cut and stitched into swirls and circles. I loved it and was terrified of it. It looked so complicated.  Two years ago, I pieced my strata with peaches, oranges, and reds. I loved the strata and didn't want to cut into it. Alas, I loved the idea of swirls more.

 After one year and a myriad of other quilts, dresses, and other projects, the top was ready.  Three more months of sitting and I found a back. Six months and a baby later, the quilt was stacked. Four days of quilting and an hour of binding. It's finally done.

Here is the most intense, on all levels, quilt I have ever attempted. It is steeped in discovery. I love a peachy color scheme. A darning foot makes free motion pleasant. Circular piecing doesn't have to be hard. It's okay to take a long time to finish something. I didn't rush this like I usually do. If my ideas were congealing, I set it aside. It's not perfect technically, but I learned so much and I am excited to look at it.

PS. Check out the festival hosted by Amy.