the tale of one quilt

also known as the Love Quilt (spelt LOVE and pronounced LURVE!)

In 2002, I was buying up fat quarters like there was no tomorrow. I couldn't help myself. I was attracted by the colours and patterns. They must have been subconsciously connecting with my inner designer. The one I was ignoring while I went about my day job as a manager of a university web team. My day was filled with strategy, plans, KPIs, deadlines, meetings, writing PDs, recruiting staff, building a case for a CMS and a major web redevelopment... (you can see why I NEEDED to buy every fat quarter that caught my eye!)

Anyway, it soon became clear to Mr greenolive that things were a little out of control. Innocent questions were asked. Answers were given: "They are for the quilt I'm making".

Quilt, what quilt? I wasn't really into quilts. Too much time. Too big a committment. Can't really quilt in front of the TV can you? But no going back now. My bluff had been called, and a quilting I would go.

It soon became a joint project. I think the order and structure of the quilt appealed to Mr greenolive, plus he liked doing things with his hands. We started calling it the Love quilt. It was made together with love and became a symbol of our love.

His jobs were cutting the squares (he loved using the rotary cutter!), ironing on the sticky stuff and helping with placement and layout. I soon had to let go of my obession about control, order, perfection and not clashing the colours or patterns. It was no longer my quilt, it was our quilt, so I was often over ruled on what fabrics went where. Once we'd sewn all the squares together (198 in total), we did the motifs (stars and hearts) and then hand-sitched the edges. Mr greenolive's Mum even got into the act. She was over from England for the Christmas holidays and helped with the hand-stitching.

The square she stitched:

My favourite square:

Mr greenolive's favourite square:

We even added our initials (for Drew and Martine). I think we'd been watching Antiques Roadshow and thought we'd better leave a marker's mark for future generations!

After a lengthy hiatus where the quilt was banished from our sight for about six months, we finally finished it in late 2003. It's become our own family heirloom. We now sleep under it every night and often talk about our favourite squares...

Comments

[Amelia]

my husband also loves to get in on the act although he is shy to admit it. he's helped me block knitted squares, wind wool, all sorts of things. it's great to do it together.

[di]

Fantastic project- I love those combined effort projects. It really adds something special to them. Scott and I bought fabric together to make a quilt a year ago, but we haven't gotten any further on it yet. Oh well, I suppose we've been busy!

[greenolive]

Thanks all of you for the lovely comments, it was so nice to come back from holidays and find them waiting. I can highly recommend husbands as crafty partners. I think the secret to my success was that it was HIS idea to help me. If I'd asked I'm sure he would have helped for the first day and then given up! He will be so chuffed that you've commented on his work!

[fiona]

awwhh, your such a dag!!so lovely, i dont think i would every get my man near a rotory cutter, he thinks it's for cutting pizza!!

[Swirlyarts]

What a great idea to do a quilt together! Might have to get husband in on the act!!

[snapdragon]

This is the kind of wonderful project that I always dream of doing - it is truly beautiful and, as Di says, sure to be an heirloom.
J
x

[Di]

That's a great quilt and so nice to be something that you did together - as you say it will become a cherished family heirloom..

[French Knots]

What a lovely, romantic story of how your quilt was made. When you are old and grey you'll still be snuggling up discussing your favorite squares!