Arylo's Creations

Quilting for me began when I was 23 years old.  I was tired of making clothes; dresses in particular; and wanted a challenge!

The local fabric store in Port Alberni was one of my favorite places to visit. Fabric back then was mainly cotton, polyester mix, with very few pure cotton fabrics on display.  Then there was the polyester fabric shown that was the ruff kind, of, how in the world could you wear that kind of fabric! But there was all kinds of fabric shown, or so it seemed to me at the time.  

The lady who owned it, had books and sewing machines and this awesome table that she cut fabric yardage.  No blade cutters then in 1979.  Fabric was cut on the grain.  Thread pulled and fabric cut with scissors; Or a ruler used, fabric marked with chalk, then cut. Time was taken to make sure you got what you paid for.  I believe that the majority of buyers back then appreciated the effort made at this store.

At any rate, I saw the "Quilt Magazine" with quilts that got my attention. I must have spend hours looking at this magazine, and eventually brought it!  I haven't a clue how I got the money, as it must have been babysitting.  Picked out the pattern, an Hourglass quilt.  Then started to add the cost of the fabric. Way to much for me.  In my mind I didn't have the money for all the fabric then, but I figured if I used real cheap fabric and just tried it, then I would know if I would spend the time to get the money for the fabric and make it again. So I must have brought broad cloth. Browns, orange, turquoise  and beige. Cut all the triangles by snipping and pulling strips of cloth, marking the 45' angle and then cutting, then sewing all the biased seams. If only I knew then what I know now, it would have gone together so much faster. At any rate I  put it together using polyester thread.  I don't remember what I used for batting or backing for that matter.  But my Mom always said that her Mom and Grandmother used wool blankets and old sheets.  Then my Mom use to use my Dad's old Stanfield underwear to make mittens and hats for all us kids when we were small for winter time.  

It took a lot of time to make and I was pleased with the results, but decided not to make another.  The quilt never lasted more than a few years because of the quality of cloth used and the thread breaking the seams, or so it seemed. Also, it was washed many times.  It was a start just the same of quilting.  Gave me confidence that I could do anything if I made my mind up to do it.  I still have that magazine all these years later!  Will take a picture and put it in later!  

Please enjoy my blog on my quilting creations.  Cheers, Arlis Scott