Or maybe it’s something even more basic than that. My two eldest children are wildly divergent in their bedding tastes. Bear, at 5, so much more like me in his general personality, is much more like his father, and will kick the blankets off, even as the July frost grows thick on the ground. And in the same way, Bubba Boy, like his daddy in so many ways, and yet, at bed time, his mama’s influence shows through, and on the hottest of evenings, where even pyjamas seem too much, he will insist on at least one blanket, and if he can get away with it, a doona as well.

And so, when it came time to redecorate the children’s room after the renovation, I immediately began planning quilts, plural. One per boy, possibly two. And yet husband insisted that doonas would be much better. In the end, we compromised, and each boy now has a quilt cover and a bed topper quilt. The quilt cover is made from backing-width flannelette, with a feature segment of orange corduroy,  and a small amount of patchwork, and the quilts are a basic D9P, with the green flannelette as the backing. So lovely and snuggly.

Though a tad warm when a certain little three year old softly calls out, and strokes my face as he gently asks, “Lie wif me, pwease, mama?”

(and yes, I am aware the binding hasn’t been stitched down. I’m kinda lazy like that!).

The final stitch fell into place, and the small child hovering at my elbow jumped excitedly. “Mummy, mummy, you’ve finished! Your Dear Jane is done, and it’s soooo pretty!” It seems my boy and I have had a bit of a mis-communication, but he has become fascinated with the DJ journey, at all of 5 years old. Next up, he is constantly tracking progress on “Oh Hi Ah Star” (Ohio Star – F7). I get the feeling he’s failing to grasp just how big a project his mummy has taken on. Though his faith in me is very encouraging.

Did your foster-children enjoy watching you quilt, Jane? Did you start when you were newly married and dreaming of babies of your own? How many tears did you shed as you stitched, wondering when you might be blessed? Or maybe you were happy as you were, not particularly concerned whether children were part of your grander plan.

I stitched a lot of this one by the light of our camping gas lantern, or as children napped in the tent, sheltering from the summer heat. It was quite pleasant, being unplugged from the electronics of the world, stitching away. I’m going to start unplugging more, I think, rationing my internet use. Funny how we have things “easier”, but seem to have less time than you must have, to stitch and chat and visit with friends.

So, without further ado. Indianapolis, AKA Dear Jane, AKA G7.

Your quilt has inspired many. And some of those girls, inspired by you, have in turn inspired me. I wonder what you’d think of my chosen plan for your quilt, to sew it in modern colours, not being 100% faithful to the original? Switching out background for more colour. Keeping the same three colours constant throughout. Yesterday I drafted G7, and last night, cut those first, tiny peices. I’m planning on creating it by hand. Check in again in anouth 5 blocks or so. This will be my evening craft, something I can do without needing a computer or machine. Where you used candlelight to light your work, though, I’ll likely use the TV. There’s something about the juxtaposition that entices me. Modern colours, old quilt. Modern entertainment, old methods. I wonder what you’d think of all these ladies copying your quilt? Did you plan it as a masterpiece, the crowning glory of your craft? Or was it just a was to make the mundane more interesting?

I’m a stationery hoarder, Jane. I love fresh notebooks, empty and clean, full of promise of wonderful creations. And yet, I can barely bring myself to use them. What if my words, or my sketches, or my doodles, aren’t worthy of the beautiful vessel in I which I entrust them? What if I waste a journal I love, on a project I don’t? And yet, as I smoothed open the first page of the linen bound notebook, a gift from my mother for my birthday, I felt no hesitation in using it as my DJ journal. Isn’t that strange? But at the same time, so right. A beautiful journal, to record my journey, and give a history to a quilt that I hope will one day cover myself, my children, my grandchildren. A quilt I can look at and feel the emotion of the moment of each block. See there, Clementine, I’ll say to my tiny granddaughter as she sits on my knee. That block there I peiced as your mummy started school. And that one? That was the last block I peiced, finished the week after she married your daddy, and your nanny’s heart was so happy, and yet so sad, I thought it might just burst.

A history waiting to be written, and a history long past. Strange how life circles around like that, don’t you think, Jane?

“I know, mummy, I’ll sit in the chair and you can put the blanket on me for a photo, ok?”

I started with Oliver + S’s “Puppet Show” pattern, with the tunic length top.

I added lace between the skirt and hem facing, and also at the bodice-skirt seam, and also at the cuffs.

The bloomers likewise got lace added at the pockets.

I then altered the tunic pattern – replaced the sleeves with lace, removed the collar, and lengthened it significantly to create an over-gown for Butterfly to wear for the church service.

…watching a baby girl as she dozes fitfully in my arms (darn winter bugs and their boogers)

….listening to my husband working on our new retaining wall and vegie garden.

…smelling very little – see point one about winter bugs.

…tasting the last of some yummy palmiers I made a couple of days ago.

…feeling the warmth of thick hiking socks.

…dreaming of so many plots and plans I don’t know where to start. Crafting. Fitness. Work. Music. My mojo is flowing thick and fast.

What’s happening for your Sunday afternoon?