Nepenthe Quilt and Cushion Projects Update - Falling Upwards

The finished Nepenthe Cushion top, hand crossed stitched using waste canvas.

When I started this project I named it Nepenthe, mainly because calling it Em's quilt was a little meh. It was a loose name, not once I was overly attached too and honestly I thought would change at least a few times by now. But as it's progressed the name seems to have burried deep into the bones of this project -  something that banishes sorrow or grief, which turns out, is my exact hope for this project. Adolescence really is traumatic. It's bad enough to survive it once... watching your pre-teen negotiating the ever changing social structures at school, absolutely diabolical. Just after I started this project school went from someplace fun and engaging for my middling child, to a daily battle against bullies. We've progressed from the usual school yard intimidation to cyber bullying, all escalating pretty quickly too.

Reason for the back story, well its nice to vent, it is also the reason why this project is progressing fairly quickly! Its nice to have something tangible to work on while mentally sorting through how best to teach my daughter how to be assertive, but letting her learn to navigate these social issues on her own. I am hoping that by the time this quilt is finished she won't need to wrap herself in it to recover from a bad day at school, it will just be a cosy lap blanket while she devours which ever novel is in her hands that day. Like the cat memes, I came here to quilt and protect my kids... so god help those bullies if I run out of quilt. Now, the design update!! As you can see I ended up going back in and adding in more cross stitch detailing. Best move ever. I worked in two shades of DMC lilac / purple and ECRU, I love the subtle texture it adds to the piece. I think with the quilt this will definitely be something that is included, maybe working a few of the floral motifs in more "realistic" colours over the lighter sections of the quilt.

For quilting I went with the classic ditch stitch. There was already a lot going on visually so wanted something subtle, I love the way it makes each section puff up a little. I didnt expect it to enhance the block shapes so well, honestly I didnt really think it through. I was more focussed on the structural element of holding the backing on, more than anything else. Love my a happy accident. This was my first non hoop quilting project in quite a while, normally I love a hoop, but since hand sewing orbit the hoop was getting in the way and I just wanted to hold the project. Sounds weird, which is pretty on brand for me #SpicyBrain.

For the cushion back I went with a gorgeous little floral print in lilac tones with pops of spearmint. You can see it a little in the photo below (Tilly in true cat fashion has to be the center of attention). I will be using the same design for the quilt backing, but in a different colourway.

I am ecstatic to announce that all of the quilt blocks have been sewn! They were actually finished a full fortnight ago, but I have hit the wall with night sewing (too dark downstairs to see well) and Nepenthe has been in her box since. You can see the backing print below, if my Em was a fabric she would be this one. Chaotic, bright and filled with life.

Another reason it is all on hold is that I am waiting for the border linen to be shipped over from Germany. Extreme right?! That the only shade of purple that was what I needed could not be sourced in my home country. But I guess I should be thrilled that air freight is a lot quicker than sea freight.

I had played with the idea of a lighter border, like mount card for a painting. Truth is I know my kid... this quilt will end up with stained from snacks within a year! And honestly, that doesn't bother me at all. We are not precious about quilts in our house, they are expressions of love and creativity that are to be used and enjoyed. Not that maltreatment is allowed, but daily use is encouraged. One of the reasons she wont be given this until AFTER it has been exhibited in the local Ag show (One day I will get a first for a quilt and not just the "pieced article" section).

For batting we are going with a wool poly blend (80 / 20, and no scrim) I am road testing for a client of mine (from the 9-5 job). He sent me a whopping big box of samples and this will be the first one I am testing out. Em had hoped for the pure wool, but I had called dibbs on that one already. All my batting samples have no scrim, which is prefect for me. It amazes me how the quilty police really poo poo the product, anyone want to weight in on that one?

And I think thats all I have for show and tell on this one. Hope you enjoyed the update, let me know if you want to know anything in particular about the process. Until next time! Cass xx