A Colorful Thread: January 2025
Weaving together my life as a maker and other spheres of life.
BEST OF STITCHED IN COLOR {January}
On My Mind
Experimenting:: with house shopping… again. I wish it weren’t on my mind, but it is. For financial reasons, I need to buy either an apartment by myself or a house with my boyfriend this year. Either way it will mean moving my workplace to the new location and then really settling in (at last!). Either way Aart, Elora and I can still live together - it’s all about flexible thinking. Since my divorce summer of 2023, the question of where to live and work has been ever present. I long to put that question to rest.
Here’s an apartment I viewed this month. And naturally, with every viewing, I look for where the longarm would fit!
Reading:: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. Jodi of Tales of Cloth tipped me on this book. It’s about your mental mindset as a creator - the things that get in your way and the perspectives that can free you to bravely, joyfully create.
TODAY’S STITCHED IN COLOR IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY~
Nanno Creative
My favorite Dutch fabric shop is expanding their collection of Kona solids to include all 365 colors in the new future! Are you looking for a specific shade? Let them know what’s on your wishlist, and they’ll stock it for you asap.
Celebrating:: your finished Scrap Cabin quilts! It’s been a fantastic sew-along, not the least because the Substack chat has allowed us to reconnect as a community. Thank you so much for sharing your creativity!
This glorious finish by Kerry of Curly Girl in Stitches is a prime example of the fruits of our labor. Kerry went BIG and with such happy, scrappy style. I can’t wait to see how she longarm quilts it!
Anticipating:: cutting into an array of solids I have pulled for my next quilt. It’s going to be a baby version of Rainbow Over Head, and I can’t wait to get started.
Featured Freebie
Planning Quilt Size for a Bed Quilt
Stitched in Color includes a library of free tutorials, more than 10 years in the making. Each month I’ll feature one to spread the good news.
As soon as you try to choose a pattern for your bed quilt, you'll bump into the size question. Don't assume anything about quilt size. There are only loose standards in this area, which can make things rather confusing. Size is a personal preference that deserves careful consideration. Here's how to calculate your ideal bed quilt size.
In a few days, Liam turns 18. He is preoccupied with the business of youth: planning a senior trip, studying for exams and steering with confidence into a bright future.
Liam will study econometrics in the Netherlands, just a few hours by train from where I live. I am so excited for him! He has a great group of friends, who are also planning to study at the same university. I am quite proud of him and grateful to call him my son.
happy weekend!
Rachel
Liam looks very confident and a handsome young man. I wish him well and success at university. Wonderful that it’s not too far away.
I got confused about the house hunting. Is the house too small?? These things will play on your mind I know but your passion for quilting and all things colour will help carry you through. The need to feel settled is very much a woman thing, we have travelled and moved countries due to my other half’s work. We thought we were settled in this little village for ever now. Alas the gods have chosen differently for us and health for my better half, who’s always been super fit, has taken a very terrible down turn. Looking after the gardens and the house will become too hard. So a new home will be needed. Like you I face this will apprehension. You are young and have time ahead of you. You are a citizen of the Netherlands and will fit wherever you go. Good luck x
Oh my goodness, more house hunting for you!! That can be such a daunting task, when you’ve already done so much moving already! It sounds like you’d like to have your studio back home again! Does Aart own the house you’re living in now? I hope it all works out for you!🩷
Liam is looking so grownup and ready to move on from high school! I’m so glad he will be staying in The Netherlands and just be a train ride away! Just think of all the hand sewing you will accomplish each time you go to visit him! It’s a win win for you both! Take care and I wish you all the best!