PJ Quilts: Any time is Quilting Time!

Any time is Quilting Time!, originally uploaded by Patsyquilts.

I began the first of two foot surgeries on December 3,2010. Arthritis in the joint of my two big toes! I just thought it was a bunion that could be relieved by special inserts in my shoes. Since I'm on my feet constantly at work, I thought I better get this fixed. (Also - here comes snowy weather and I am commuting 2 hours a day!).

This is the perfect opportunity to get back to basics with patchwork and quilting.

I used to be a 'stay at home mommy ' who started watching PBS LAP QUILTING with Georgia Bonesteel back in the 80's. Living on a military base gave me plenty of friends to learn new hobbies with. A couple of us went to the community college to take a beginner patchwork and lap quilting class one evening a week. Back then, it was the very basic class that taught you about straight grain, selvages, bias, scissors, card board templates or plastic (like the material used for shrinky dinks. Or, if you were lucky like I was, to have access to the material x-rays were made on!)

Earth tone colors were popular back then, everyone had rust, brown, tan, orange and avocado green in their homes. I started out with 1 yard each of 6 fabrics, needles (betweens and sharps), cotton and quilting thread. My patterns were handouts from our teacher, Kathy. I'm sorry to say that I forgot her last name, such a shame to forget that about someone who led me to my favorite pastime!

After the class ended, I picked out my first book by Jessie MacDonald and Marian H. Shafer called Let's Make A Patchwork Quilt.

a cute little bookmark made by Amy in preschool, 1980
Placed in between the pages of LET'S MAKE A PATCHWORK QUILT

JACOB'S LADDER 1984
FROM LET'S MAKE A PATCHWORK QUILT

with ice boot off, foot propped up

I decided to dive into that old book again and hand stitch all of the quilt patterns , just like I did in the 80's...

SHOOFLY QUILT BLOCK
Sunday, Dec.5

CHURN DASH
Monday, Dec.6

GREEK CROSS
Tuesday, Dec.7

JACOB'S LADDER
Wednesday, Dec.8

OHIO STAR
Thursday, Dec. 9

I have been averaging 1 quilt block a day. They are 15 inch squares, very basic, but a whole lot of fun when I'm propped up on the couch with my feet elevated.