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Makers

I had only one of these unfinished applique patchwork blocks in my estate sale lot, and no other blocks of the same size or with matching fabrics, so to make it into a bag I needed a back panel. Those I usually make out of scrap muslin.

I used the same green perle thread that I used to embroider the front panel to feather stitch the back panel. Circles and circular shapes are one of my favorite things to stitch, so it adds my style to the original maker's without masking or marring their work.

Working on these orphanned blocks has made me wonder about the person who made them. I think a lot of these are practice pieces or just to try out ideas with colors and shapes. Some of the patchwork in this lot is very sophisticated and polished, and yet others have obvious mistakes. The handstitching used for some of the piecing is very small and neat, which I admire as mine isn't.

Quilting is one of those creative arts that can be addictive, frustrating, enlightening and heartbreaking. There are so many talented quilters out there that it can be very intimidating, too, and chase away the lesser skilled. I think as makers this person and I share the same kind of love for stitching, and perhaps some of the same flaws. I can't know what they intended to make of these blocks, if anything, but I think they would be glad to know someone is quite happy making use of them. After all, isn't that we quilt -- to bring joy to others as well as ourselves?

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