i've been away! i was actually away for most of june, but i had some posts done ahead of time so i didn't think it would even be noticed in this space. but when i did come home - to grandbaby no. 3 - i got too busy to post even though i was sewing most mornings.
we went to turkey this summer. my husaband plans a great 3-4 week travel adventure for us each summer. this year was turkey. i didn't run into any quilters or quilts in turkey, but there were three things somewhat related:
first: rugs! we went to a turkish rug weaving facility in efes where we saw ladies at work weaving, had a go at making the knots, saw a demonstration on how they harvest and prepare the silk, viewed so many rugs, and bought a few to bring home. rugs are textiles and always remind me of quilting because of the color choosing and pattern decisions involved. different, but related, and i can very much appreciate the artistry even more as a quilter.
second: apparently muslims invented quilting? i saw this sign at the beautiful blue mosque in istanbul. at first i was a bit taken aback. i'm thinking, "no they didn't! there's nothing here in this country that's like the quilts i make." but as i read the sign and considered what it said, i understood. it's just semantics and the way we use terms differently that caused my confusion. muslims invented the process of quilting materials together, the "quilting" part of our quilting hobby. the interchangeableness of those two uses frustrates me sometimes as it is. so muslims weren't claiming to have invented patchwork, but rather the process of layer fabrics and sewing them together. well, thank you muslims! what a great contribution. i wonder who added the patchwork part of quilting as we know it today?
third: tile patterns = quilt patterns
the geometrics in tiles always say "quilt pattern" to me. it's a different art medium, but the same idea. we saw several mosaic floors in the excavations in the ancient city of ephesus.
then granna flew home to this! and his older brother and sister.
quilt posts will resume shortly. i am once again so busy with house planning, finishing the current renovation projects, and, of course, babies. but i am getting some quilt time each morning, mostly before the sun comes up. i love coming back from europe (east of me) and being on an earlier schedule. it really helps me make that big switch to being up with the sun. last year, coming home from australia (far to the west) was the opposite for me. i have enjoyed all the locations we've been blessed to see, but i like the way the timing works for me coming from the other direction best. getting up early means quilt time in the quiet morning hours, my favorite.
happy sewing and happy summer, all!
