Trinkets from the Beach Quilt
I want to share a quilting moment I’m thankful for this year: my Trinkets from the Beach quilt visited the ocean. Just typing that makes my heart clench a little in my chest.
Each block in my Trinkets from the Beach Quilt represents a specific memory, image, or tradition from our annual visits to Newport Beach, CA. My grandpa bought a beach house there when my mom was a little girl, long before Newport Beach was a popular destination. My mom played at this beach, and then my parents took me and my siblings there, and now my children have been there every summer of their lives.
I’m so grateful we were able to go again this year, in spite of everything. The house, the sand, the egret I love to watch in the mornings, were all more dear because of this strange year.
As for the quilt, I turned the paper pieced blocks into economy blocks, and arranged the fabrics in diagonal rows. I only made one of each block and I enlarged the pattern. The economy block setting allowed me to make a larger quilt without duplicate blocks. I also wanted to emphasize the blue.
I quilted along the seam lines on my machine, and added big stitch quilting in each trinket block.
These Tula Pink Zuma fabrics make my stomach hurt, they’re so pretty. Just like the beach. I couldn’t choose just one, so I made a scrappy binding and it’s perfect.
For the backing I used a Moda bouy print, combined with solids and a Rifle Co stripe. I like the mix.
My grandpa lived in this house for many years. It’s precious to me, a place I will never tire of. Taking photos of my quilts in front of it give me hope that someday, when the house isn’t ours anymore, the quilts will help with the ache. I hope they will keep Grandpa close like the house has.
Taking this pattern, making it in this way, trying to sew my memories, was a creative exercise I loved. I’m trying to do more storytelling, to put more of ME into my quilts. It’s exciting to try.
This place has my heart. And I hope my kids will treasure this quilt.
