Monday, January 2, 2017

The Therapy Quilt

  The Therapy Quilt is so named because I had to learn to sew again this year.  I took for granted the dexterity, the fine motor skills it requires for each block to be made, for a quilt to be assembled, for a quilt to quilted , and for a quilt to be bound.


  I was in the middle of making circles for the Quilty 365 challenge at Quiltyfolk blog, when my world crashed down around me.  So in  August when I returned home,  I began OT/PT as an outpatient.  My desire/dream/goal was to sew again.  I tried and had a lot of disappointment.  I kept at it with the attitude that I did not have to be perfect, banish the quilt police, just sew.   And so the idea of the Therapy Quilt came to me.



   I pulled out my box of circles and found ones that I wanted to use first.....Birds, Blooms, and Bits from Friends.  That was the way I defined the selections in my head.  If  I was going to reclaim my passion, it was up to me to figure out how to sew again.  Even my excellent therapist could not help me there.


   By trying each day to piece two circles together, and then to join them into a 4 unit section, etc, I began to see my fine motor skills improve.  Not each intersection matched,  and some are only close enough.  Before I would have ripped forever, today I move on.
   I graduated from OT/PT in November.  Able to walk again, to write again, I can accomplish many daily tasks, but still with numbness in my hands and feet and legs.  Such is life.





   The Therapy Quilt got pinned finally and was ready to quilt.  I had attempted free motion quilting on a couple of small projects and thought  I was up to this size.  There's not a lot of open space between those circles.....so wiggly lines and some meandering would just have to do.   It was a challenge and I was not exactly thrilled or happy with  the first section or so.  
Yet by the time---2 days later-- that I finished the center portion, I was feeling better about it all.    I moved on to the border  after practicing the leafy vine by drawing a few dozen pages in pencil.   And a few days before Christmas, it was almost done.    My confidence back, I went on and quilted my bow ties quilt and got it finished first.




   From Pat at AmityQuilter blog, came the circle in the bottom right corner.    The Charlie Harper cardinals are from Wanda at Exuberant Color.  She's a treasure and I look to her as an inspirational mentor.









The Therapy Quilt is 42'' by 50''.  The  small circle squares are 4 1/2''.

   So here's to starting a new year off with hope....hope for healing, hope for recovery, and hope for future and the quilting I love.

Linking to Quilty 365.

Happy stitching.

25 comments:

sunny said...

Congrats on your finish. I know it's been a long time coming. You have such a great attitude, and I'm sure you'll continue to improve. Here's to a happy and HEALTHY 2017!!

Vroomans' Quilts said...

You are a ray of sunshine on my day. Hope - 2017!!

Exuberantcolor/Wanda S Hanson said...

The quilt looks great and I always have the same feeling too, that I'm not sure about the quilting I'm doing but by the time I get done I usually think it is OK. Watching you push ahead with determination is a lesson for all of us as we hit life's little unwelcome blips.

Ray and Jeanne said...

This quilt will be loved and treasured - it is awesome. Many quilts tell a story and this one exemplifies hope. Happy 2017! ~Jeanne

Raewyn said...

Well done on your persistence and your achievements. Wishing you many hours of happy stitching in 2017!

QuiltShopGal said...

What a challenging year that you have worked hard to push thru with great results. Your quilt is beautiful and I love that this was your Therapy Quilt, where you never gave up. I wish for you a very happy and healthy New Year, with 100% full recovery. And, of course, plenty of time to enjoy and create. Big virtual hug.

QuiltShopGal
www.quiltshopgal.com

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

It's great! You've worked so hard, and you've triumphed!

ES said...

I love your blog and I'm thrilled for you with this finish! Sewing and quilting for the enjoyment, there's nothing better:)

Linda Swanekamp said...

Terrific quilt, blog and post! The quilt is a treasure. Happy New Year to you and can't wait to see what you will create next!

Mystic Quilter said...

Debbie - I hope that 2017 brings all the things you wish for come your way! Happy New Year.

Dana Gaffney said...

I'm so happy for you. I love the quilt as a symbol of what you've been through and how far you've come, you're amazing! By the end of this year you'll look at the quilting on this quilt and smile or laugh :)

Quilting Babcia said...

This quilt will always be a symbol of your amazing perseverence in the face of incredible difficulties that would have stopped many in their tracks forever. Hope and Joy are perfect words and thoughts to keep in your heart in this new year.

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

Great progress, rehab is hard but you are doing fantastic.

MissPat said...

I've always thought you had some of the best circles and having different sizes makes them much more interesting. So glad you have persevered and made your back to your passion.

Nicki said...

I'm so glad you were able to finish your Therapy Quilt. It will always hold a special place in your heart. It shows that a continued course of action in spite of difficulties can bring on beautiful results. Happy New Year!

Barbara said...

Well, kudos to you for perservering and finishing through so much difficulty. It's a treasure. I think quilts should mark something, and some of them are perfect because of their imperfections. It will help you tell the story of your healing process. It's a testament to your strength.

Louise said...

Debbie, I'm deeply moved by how far you've come back and your determination to reclaim your quilting. Having gone through some really minor PT this year, I can't imagine how hard this must have been for you. Brava! And on top of it all, this is a really neat quilt, full of love and friendship. Truly, and inspirational story!

Cheree @ The Morning Latte said...

This quilt is a true treasure (so full of meaning and accomplishment!) for you! Beautiful!

QuilterinMotion said...

I've been following along with your health challenges and your spirit of trying. I'm thrilled that your Therapy Quilt is finished. I, too, have a Therapy Quilt in progress as it is the work that kept me sane as I waited for a surgery date (double mastectomy) and then traveled through the recovery. I am looking forward to my finish and am so, sew excited that you got to celebrate your this week. Hurray for hard work and persistence. You are a great example for all of us. With love, Marsha

liniecat said...

Well Id say the Therapy Quilt was proof positive of your strength of character as much as proof of your returned skills.
Oddly enough if there are bits that didn't quite match up, then its a far more important quilt since it has a provenance all of its very own : )
It looks absolutely beautiful to me!

Mary said...

I'm so happy to see you getting your groove back. Your determination and progress is an inspiration to all of us.

audrey said...

Oh I am so very happy that you stuck with the Therapy quilt! Love seeing your wonderful work and you should be proud of the ground you've regained. Thanks so much for linking up!

Lara B. said...

You are a woman of amazing fortitude Debbie. An inspiration because you've been able to keep your courage and positivity. Your beautiful therapy quilt was a terrific recovery exercise. Here is to a new year full of blessings!

Andrea said...

What a fabulous finish for you and a great tactile reminder of your hard journey this year. You've definitely been an inspiration for me this past year - all your positive determination and stick-to-i-tive-ness applied to a real life situation. I'm always glad for your updates for they help me to pray for you. Thanks for opening this window into your heart.

Unknown said...

I am new to quilting, and totally got the bug. I just came across your blog. Thank you for the inspiration, You are truly an amazing artist. I pray that your health will improve. That life will be kind to you..Best wishes for 2017

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