Malawi Quilt

About seven years ago, I was inspired to start quilting. Inspiration came from several things at the time of my life. One day, I had visited a local women's self help program (back home) where these African ladies were hand sewing and quilting fantastic quilts for sale. I went home inspired by their courage to create something with their hands and motivated to follow their example. And so, I began quilting.

Within a week, I had purchased several yards of cotton fabric from a local fabric Textlile manufacturing company and began sewing the first quilt- a small crib sized quilt with simple squares. After mastering the simple technique, I moved on to something big. Inspired by this book received as a gift (my first ever book about quilting) I put my hand sewing skills to use.

close up

As you can see, it's a crazy quilt otherwise known as " the drunkard's path" and I know what it really means because even I, have trouble finding all the fabrics used in the quilt- somewhere along the line, I get visually drunk and quit the process! I am guessing about 30 different fabrics (all of which I still have in yards and pieces) and none of the squares with a circle inside are similar (they all have 8 different fabrics).

The sewing process was like this (just for the picture):- I would cut all the fabric using a paper template (didn't have any quilting or sewing tools other than scissors, needle pins and thread), then pinned the quarter circle to the next piece making a square. After hand sewing several of these, I would lay them on the floor to make the big square and making sure they all look different and then I would put the four little squares together to make the big square with a circle in the middle. This went on for several months right in my living room and when my hubby came home from work, there were pieces of the quilt everywhere! I became a crazy quilting woman!

Can you see the circles? and the not so perfect corners??

Because I didn't have the right tools to complete the quilt (like batting), I finally finished the top in summer of 2000 (when I came here), just about ready to pop out my first one.Of course, by then a sewing machine came in handy as this turned out to be a really big quilt (It's a King size plus a little extra) although I didn't plan it that way, it just got CRAZY! Instead of machine quilting it, we hand tied it at corners of each small square. By the time this quilt was completely finished, over 3 years had passed.

Now, as I contemplate sewing again, I look at this project to find inspiration and motivation. Just talking about it, makes me nolstalgia for that period in my life filled with passion and energy to create something and knowing that my two little hands were great tools to make things. It takes me back home where inspiration can be drawn from daily lives of people. I take a lot of pride in this quilt and I hope one day, my kids will know the story behind it.

If you are still sober and awake by now, here is something to inspire you. If you drop me a comment here till Friday (20th April), I will draw one name and send you either 6 different fabrics (1/4 yards each) OR 3 fabrics (1/2 yards each) of your choice (from the quilt) as a motivation gift. Who doesn't need some motivation???

Comments

[Beth]

I followed a link to this quilt from Marsha's blog - it is beautiful!

[Marsha]

I just followed the link here from your most recent quilt post, and I have to say this one, too, is beautiful.

[Vera]

This is wonderful !!!!!!
I also saw your photo gallery of african fabrics. Lovely !

[Devpm]

What can I say...That is one amazing piece of fabric magic. I can't believe you hand sewed it. I've made several quilts and I am just not skilled enough with the needle to go alone - I use a sewing machine with my 1/4 foot. You do beautiful work!!

[leslie]

Hand sewn? Wow lucy, you always motivate me! This is absolutely beautiful!!!! I know your family will treasure that!

[zoe]

OH MY GOD - that is hand sewn??? I am contemplating my first quilt and it is the sewing machine all the way for me! Your story shows what can be achieved when you are really attached to a project and really passionate about it and you had the fabric that meant something more to you than just pretty designs. It is so beautiful!

[Cheryl]

This quilt is so stunning and vibrant! It reminds me of quilts by Faith Ringgold. (www.faithringgold.com/) When I was in art school they had a show up in the gallery of her story quilts - really incredible pieces with incredible color, texture and moving stories written right on them. They really influenced my thinking about crafts passing down stories and history. Your quilt is amazing! What a gift to pass down to your kids and their future families. Sign me up for motivation drawing - what a generous gift.