Saturday, February 6, 2010

Working on patterns

I spent all day finishing the patterns for Sampler #11. I thought it would take until about noon, then I could quilt, but no, it took me until 5 and by then my eyes were buggy from staring at the computer all day. How do people do that, work in front of a computer all day? I love my computer, don't get me wrong. It is full of fun and entertainment, but if I had to sit in front of one all day, I would go nutty. At school I use mine a lot, but am up and down a lot too, helping kids, and putting books away. So don't sit still for long.

I just started reading The Runaway Quilt, the 4th book in the Elm Creek Quilts series. I had heard of this series, but hadn't ever read them until now. A friend loaned me the first one and now I'm hooked.  This one proves to be interesting as it involves slavery and the use of quilts in helping slaves on the Underground Railroad. I have seen the quilt books that have been published. Have any of you tried any of the patterns?

8 comments:

Exuberantcolor/Wanda S Hanson said...

I agree, the computer is fun but I wouldn't want to sit in front of one all day. Our prep work for classes takes a LONG time.

I have read that book and enjoyed it too.

Vivian said...

I'm a medical transcriptionist and work 32-36 hours per week with a computer. My pay check is directly related to speed & accuracy, and mentally, that's tough as I get older. I get tired of looking at a monitor & I don't go immediately to our home computer to read favorite quilt blogs. I need a break, whether it's an hour or a few days.

I've read 5 or 6 of the Elm Creek Quilts books and have a couple more on a shelf. As I read them, I get very wrapped up with the lives of the characters, especially Sylvia. They feel like real quilting friends.

I've not made any of the underground RR quilt blocks, but I'm sure I will in the future. There are such differing opinions about whether quilts truly were used to direct slaves to safe homes. I prefer to think that they did, but maybe that's just a romantic viewpoint.

Susan said...

A few years ago our LQS offered a block of the month using Eleanor Burns' book Underground Railroad Sampler. I don't know how accurate it is to history, but the quilt turned out really nice.

Julianne said...

My 2010 BOM is the underground railroad blocks. When I get to my studio I will email you the name of the book..I am going to post on my blog as well.

Willeke de la Chambre said...

Oh Isn't it a nice book?
I have them all at my shelf.

I agree with Vivian...don't know whether quilts truly were used to direct slaves to safe homes. I really hope so!

Bye from the Netherlands

Willeke de la Chambre said...

I forgot to tell you ... I clicked at 'Can't wait to see more' about your new project!!!!!

Angie Kritenbrink said...

I use a computer all day at work, but I do get up and take breaks! And go to meetings. Then I come home and use the computer at night too. YEP. It's not as crazy as cutting out hundreds of tiny strips of fabric and sewing them back together!! haha

Fabricmom said...

My hubby works on computers all day. He often come home with a head ache.

I started reading the first book a couple weeks ago. Can't wait to read them all.I have half of them already.