Of Rules and Rebellions; or, A Tahoe Lodge Sweater Quilt Adventure

Quilt making is not my primary focus in the sewing room, but more than a few quilts have come together under the presser foot of my sewing machine over the years. It had been forever since I had finished one when I was asked if I would be willing to test a new pattern in preparation for its release. An entire sewing world was out there that I had never known existed in the design, testing and release of sewing patterns. 

I am currently working on a second quilt designed by my friend Lori at Garryana Quilt Co. It is called Knitted Blossoms and I have chosen to work it in batik prints. This time I have followed the directions as if I have spoken “quilt pattern” for many years, translating acronyms effortlessly and labeling stacks of tiny pieces on a tray. I learned a lot from my fellow pattern testers last time around. 

But more on Knitted Blossoms later. This is the story of testing the first quilt pattern design that Lori released early last April. If you follow my Instagram account, the photos will be familiar. I have put the contact information for Garryana Quilt Co. and information about the fabrics I used at the end of this post. 

What follows was written in the midst of A Tahoe Lodge Sweater Quilt Adventure one year ago; April 1, 2023:

“I have paused that project for a bit to work on the other one.” I reply in answer to the question she has put to me. “Did I tell you about my friend, Lori, and the quilt I am making?”

“No.” There is anticipation in the response. She is waiting for a story.

My friend has started a business named Garryana Quilt Co. She is a quilt designer, and I am honored to be testing her first pattern. In order for this to result in a pattern of the high quality that sewists deserve, every sentence must be proofread carefully and each direction followed precisely. 

I pause to roll my eyes at myself, forced to admit to not being a natural born quilt pattern tester, as following the directions is hardly my forte. The collaboration has been a delight. Supporting the creativity and personal project of a dear, close friend is a huge privilege. The fabric we chose has a soft and heavy hand and is dyed in beautiful colors with irresistible names like Pine Needle and Malachite, which my rotary cutter happily reduced to various sized squares and strips. I have a tremendous stack of them marked up, stitched with ease, and ready for more trimming and sewing. It is a good start, but I am done.

My therapist laughs. Her awareness of my personality in the moment is somewhat clearer than my own. She easily compares the geometric and ordered design of the traditionally inspired quilt against the flowing pictures usually “painted” with my stitches. Her observation prompts my own. In my secular work I am quite content to use mathematical patterns, symmetry and design to balance accounts and resolve financial errors. Give me lovely fabric, and my brain wants to push limits and break rules. Recreation should not be work.

“There are so many pieces!” I exclaim, as if stunned by the revelation. Years ago, at the tender age of 20 and similarly frustrated by three years of piecework for a company that produced nylon kites and banners, I sold my industrial machine and opted for employment that allowed combining textiles and fibers to fuel my creativity, not maintain my livelihood. Even then, the burnout was enough that my sewing skills were shelved for awhile. I vowed never to sew (or create) to support myself, although at times my tightly stretched single-mom budget was padded a bit by taking in alterations and mending, since my 20-year-old self never imagined the struggle of raising a child on her own with one income.

I assure my therapist that in two or three weeks, this Lake Tahoe Sweater Quilt will be complete. Whining aside, I have gained a lot from following the directions. It has taught me new methods that will be applied to future projects. Some handy tools were added to my vintage Martha Washington sewing cabinet (a treasured gift that I adore) and some excellent guidelines were added to my repertoire – ready to be challenged next time the thread color is changed on my machine.

(Photos: the quilting contraption)

As a creator and maker, I am struck by the privilege we have when we follow a recipe or pattern. It is the privilege of partnering with another person’s talent and expression; the energy and emotion that went into their design merging with our own color palette and skill. Add to that the creativity of fabric designers and the techniques developed and shared by many quilt makers, and the result is more than a quilt produced over six weeks at my sewing table. 

It is a soft and warm mosaic of community.

Lake Tahoe Sweater Quilt pattern©️2023 Garryana Quilt Co.

Visit Garryana Quilt Co. on Instagram @garryanaquiltco and online at www.garryanaquiltco.com

Quilt top fabrics are Sprout Wovens by Fableism. Quilt backing is Painted Prairie Six flannel by Sharron Holland for Art Gallery Fabrics