Friday, February 3, 2017

As the World Turns


I seem to be stuck on a soap opera theme lately.
Here's what's happening in my world.
I made this baby quilt top at the retreat our quilt group had last October, and finally got around to quilting it.  Above you can see how I'm marking it for the diagonal lines--I'm using a yardstick and a pencil.  Yep, old school again.
Here's how the quilting turned out.  I also did quilt in the ditch through the obvious seam lines.
The back is a soft print of happy animals and palm trees.  Palm trees sound wonderful this time of year, with snow on the ground and a sharp nip in the air.
This quilt should be warm and cozy for a little one who needs it.  I hung it on my grandson's pack and play for the photo, but he won't be keeping it, he has so many quilts already.

WARNING:
Treadlestitches is not a political blog, it's a quilt blog.  But it's written by me, and I do have political opinions, which I express from time to time in quilts.  I'm about to do so now.  If this is not your cup of tea, that's okay.  Everyone has a right to his/her own opinion, and a right to read whatever they like.  I don't want to insult anyone or hurt anyone's feelings.

Okay, here we go.

Here's a small top I just finished:
It's a protest quilt, to celebrate the Women's March of Jan. 21st.  My husband and I attended the march in Madison, Wisconsin, along with thousands of other protesters, and I made this quilt as a remembrance.
I've had a hard time getting a good photo today, this one was taken after dark.

The top and bottom rows are my interpretation of the pink hats many people wore, which I shall call "kitty" hats, which stand for women's right to equality. 

Rows 2 and 4 are hearts, some with two shades of red, some with red and blue.  They represent love for America, and for each other.

The middle row is my interpretation of the gay pride flag, and represents equal rights for all.
Each of the blocks finishes at 6 in. square.  I hope to get the quilting done this week.

I don't think I can adequately describe the feelings of joy and togetherness I experienced at the march.  It is just so good to know you're not alone.

This was a celebration of our values:  equality, inclusion, and kindness to each other.  I was proud to stand up for these values, and I am sure I will be doing so again soon.

Have a wonderful week!  I'm linking up with Myra at Busy Hands Quilts
and Amanda Jean at Crazy Mom Quilts.










10 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing your protest quilt. I appreciate your courage in being overtly political. I live now in a very small town on the gulf coast and find it somewhat confining, especially moving here from Los Angeles and before that, Eugene, Oregon! You have captured well the feelings I have and desire to instill in my children of equity and equality, kindness and inclusion. Beautiful work!

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  2. Equality, inclusion and kindness to each other...values that all can appreciate! I look forward to seeing your finished quilt soon!

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  3. You go girl!! Your protest quilt is really well done. I applaud your efforts both physically ( actually marching) and creatively ( building a quilt). No marches in my small town, but my daughter and granddaughter marched in ones in Colorado.

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    1. Thanks, grammajudyb! One of my sisters marched in California. My Mom, who is 80, was with us in spirit.

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  4. Thank you for representing the LGBT on your quilt. I, as a gay male, living in a extreme red state just wanted to say THANK YOU! Sometimes my voice is not heard, and I am not welcome in the few fabric and one yarn shop located in my area. However, I did meet a pair of Mennonite sisters that own and operate a quilt shop 75 miles from me and I choose to spend my money there at least once a month! I just wanted to thank you for the small glimmer of hope.

    Jay in Nebraska

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    1. Hi, Jay! I'm so sorry you've been treated badly. Sometimes I just don't know what is wrong with people. This is personal for me. My oldest stepbrother was gay and he struggled all his life with his own feelings on one hand and the teachings of the church he loved on the other. Equality, love and acceptance are for everybody.
      Have a great day!

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  5. I marched in the Seattle event, and I couldn't have asked for a more positive experience. I love your pink hats in quilt form.

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Thanks for reading! Post a comment--I want to know what you think!