The Padded Room

Today Fedex bought me a replacement flannel for my Cheryl Ann Design Wall. I'm not sure what happened to the first flannel piece, but the last time I set it up at quilt retreat, it looked like it had shrunk. It was pulling on the flexible fiberglass rods and was warping in all directions. I would place quilt blocks on it---and Boink! a rod would come loose and the warp effect would act like a sling-shot and fling all the quilt blocks several feet across the room! It was quite funny at the time, but not very productive!

I store the design wall it in a dry closet, no dampness, so it's a puzzle how the flannel has shrunk over time. I called Cheryl Ann and she said no problem, she would send a free replacement and a return shipping label to send back the original. I really enjoy Cheryl Ann's portable design wall, and it's so handy to have at quilt retreat.

I went digging through the closet where I had stored it last Oct. so I could see how the new flannel fit. Just like new!

I then started looking at all the quilts I had stored in the closet. They had not been refolded in a long while. I read someplace you should refold your stored quilts frequently so the crease lines does not damage the fabric. I don't know if that's true, or an old quilter's tale, but I do this once in a blue moon just to be on the safe side.

I took some of the quilts out to the living room and thought hey, since I have the design wall up, I should take some pictures of some of the quilts This is my first ever baby quilt that I made way back when.
I'm always a bit surprised at my earlier quilting projects. As I've gotten older, and presumably better at quilting, ( I hope)-- I also attempt less intricate long term projects I've noticed. Why is that I wonder. Is it the old adage, ignorance is bliss, or I was so much more carefree years ago with those earlier project, or I've become too careful, trying to not make mistakes that it has kept me "in the box" instead of "out of the box". Perhaps contemplating each detail too much, expecting too much. I wasn't intimidated when I first started quilting. I didn't even know there was a beginner, intermediate, or advanced quilting pattern back then, so I just went for it. Now I study every pattern, consider all the options. Design intricacy's and time mostly and frequently I decide to not even attempt it----

Here is a hand embroidery redwork quilt. Also hand quilted with cross hatching. I think it was about my 4th quilt. I'm not sure I would attempt this now. It took me almost two years to complete which didn't seem to matter that much then. Now it seems I'm in too much of hurry for lengthy projects.



I have made a lot of quilts since I first started quilting. Many gifted to family and friends or given away to charitable organizations. I was surprised at how many quilts of assorted sizes I still have. Table toppers, small wall hangings, lap quilts and bed quilts.

After I had unfolded some of them and spread them around it looked like a Padded Room!

(full view-click on pics)
Boots thought this was the best thing ever! and a great chance for a good quilt snuggle!
The quilts are all refolded, hopefully on another crease line, and back into the closet. After Bill saw the quilts all around the room, his only remark was "are you making more?" Silly question, of course, it's what I do! :o)

There are 32 stacked here, more everywhere else--- if your counting. :o)