Cutting Corners

I'm starting to feel that I made my pre-baby make list when I was a little less pregnant. I really had forgotten this feeling of mad nesting, without hardly an ounce of energy to complete any of it! Only 4 weeks today till we finally meet my sweet baby. The hours we spend together in the late hours, when she (or he) wakes up, the moment my body touches my bed, it feels like we already know each other. But I'm still dying to see them. To hold them tight and safe. (And to see if the red hair that runs in Tim's family has finally come through the genes. PLEASE!!)

In the last couple of weeks we've had some sad tragedies (and much hope) with babies in my family, which have pushed me ever more to the sewing machine, but also made me more impatient for the arrival of ours. I've added more to my list, yearning to make for them as the only way I know how to express my prayers and hopes and sadness. But I'm also having to go easy where I can (photos on our washing line instead of at the beach, binding the quilt on our bed before I finished quilting - I'll finish it one day) so that the time before baby is spent meaningfully with the kids, keeping back the chaos rather than inviting more in.

Someone close to me lost their baby at a surprising and heartbreaking 14 weeks pregnant, while on a family holiday. And after having a cry and sending a message, I went to my fabric stash and pulled out these colours. I chose the yellow/mustard for a feature wall in their lounge room, blue for peace and comfort, and then after all was cut, I decided brown (the colour of their sofas) and a hint of purple (maybe for hope?) would bring extra depth and beauty. I hope with the coming Autumn and Winter, that this quilt will bring warmth and comfort.

I cut  6.5" strips of each colour, and the cut those into these 45 degree triangles. (Do they have a name??) Once the top was sewn up randomly, I used my new go-to backing, this 150cm wide numbers print from Ikea. I bought LOTS when I was down there last, and it's making that last part of the quilt finishing go just that bit faster.

Seeing this quilt drying out on the line, before I'd even snipped all the loose threads, made me so glad I dove in. It's one of those rare experiences (for me) that the finished product gives the feeling I was aiming for. And that's such a treat with a simple design and limited time.

So I ordered some Anna Maria Horner linen and velveteen this week to make single cloth cushion (pillow) covers rather than patchwork ones for our new sofas. We bought new sofas rather than made them. I think I'll skip a border on my Modern Medallion quilt for my cousin, and maybe simplify the hand quilting. The hexie quilt for the baby will probably be more cradle size than cot size (and maybe finished after the birth!). And I used a layer cake for a super quick quilt top for my friend who turns 30 this weekend. Cutting corners doesn't always come naturally to me. Things should be made to their full potential or original design! But they will still be beautiful, and more (or just as) importantly, finished. And if it means I have a little time for detours such as this quilt, that makes it worth it.