Quilt Reveal

Am I used to blogging? Apparently not. The following was ready to roll, but I didn't pop back over here to Blogger Land and hit "publish" after I posted on Instagram.  @debi_threadwest

I wonder, though: Is it necessary to duplicate content? Or, is blogging better for other things? TBD.... Meanwhile, a few snaps of the promo process for my first quilt pattern, Homebody Blooms. Available as a PDF instant download in my shop: www.threadwest.com

Table tableau, with a "binding bun" rolled onto a vintage clothespin.

A table topper in progress, using the Homebody Blooms Option Two fabrics.

I've had the vintage cream pitcher for decades, and had forgotten about it;
shows I've loved little acorns for some time. 

Quilt flimsy (for the uninitiated, it's the quilt top before quilting).

 

Rebranding in progress

Many of us have had devastating blows during the pandemic--both directly and indirectly--and my family is no different. I won't go into details, but those blows have taken me away from home for long stretches at a time.

I still love designing handbags, and still love The West. (Hard to tell, as I've neglected both my shop and this blog since...everything.) I’m so much more than the western stuff, though. Recently, I followed a thread of an idea that led me to purchase software for quilt pattern design. What a fun and challenging journey it's been!

My first quilt pattern, called “Homebody Blooms,” will be ready for release soon. The recent fabric collection—Cozy Up, by Corey Yoder for Moda Fabrics—inspired the design. It's a fabulous group of fall-feel fabrics. And, if you've already stored your Team Autumn hat for the season, no worries! I love playing in EQ8 (Electric Quilt, for the uninitiated), and am doing mock-ups of my Homebody Blooms pattern in other fabrics to share with you for inspiration. (Think I'll start another one with a Christmas theme.)

The binding's ready (wrapped around the vintage clothespin in the photo), the flimsy's at the longarm quilter's, and the pattern is with testers now. A PDF download will be available soon in my etsy shop. Stay tuned for some sneak peeks! 

So. Time for this cowgirl to put those blows behind her, pull herself up by the bootstraps and drive this herd of ideas—both western and non-western--to market.

Junction

Life is a map of crossroads, and my map over the past couple of years looks like graph paper.

We'll catch up in spurts as I resurface. Here's a list of what's on my blog horizon, followed by what Junction is (in my book):

➱ When Thread West items will be for sale again
     (and whether they'll be on etsy, or somewhere else).
➱ Studio makeover!
➱ My best friend, her departure from this world, and the handbags she left behind....
➱ Transparent Tuesday. Or, Technique Tuesday. Decisions, decisions....
➱ Permission to quilt
➱ Singer Featherweight in the house!

Once upon a time, I mentioned that I'd share news of my writing, trips out west, and glimpses of life beyond my handbag designs. It's about time I started.

My short story collection, titled Junction, includes both western and mystery stories. Two never-before-published stories are included, and I'm honored that the western, "Tinsel Town," was a finalist for the Western Writers of America Spur Award in Short Fiction. I was presented with the award during the WWA annual convention, held last June in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The collection is available in print edition, as well as several e-book formats. Publisher: Crossroad Press.