Hide the rotary cutters!

Well, I’ve succeeded in ruining my shoulder. Too many years of using a rotary cutter to cut fabric. I’ve been wondering, in fact, if my ol’ bod is telling me it’s time to finally retire from quilt-making — not a very fun thought. So while my shoulder has been demanding that I let it rest, I’ve tried to entertain myself (and pass the long days) playing the piano more (learning 4 lovely waltzes by Spanish composer Enrique Granados) and getting some books read. Both activities are enjoyable but I can’t do either of them for hours like I’ve been accustomed to do with quilting.

But reality has to be faced… And cortisone shots to be utilized. Thank you, Dr. S!

Then I remembered: “Oh yeah, there are scissors! In fact people having been using scissors to cut fabrics for hundreds of years. Rotary cutters are only a recent invention. Duh!” Not to mention that both the tradition as well as the art of quilt-making is often about the art of “making do.”

I also have an Accuquilt cutter with 4 different dies (shapes), two of which are perfect for the latest Bear Paw craze with modern or very scrappy vibes. Bear Paw is an old block and I fell in love with the very first one I made, using the pattern (and the same antique scrappy style) from one of Kathleen Tracy’s books. This is my first one:

Last year I decided to make three to add to this Orphan Block quilt. Can you spot them?

Now “Then Came June” has reinterpreted the pattern with bright solids and she has half a dozen or so iterations of it — each one more gorgeous than the last. Truly breathtaking, in fact.

Since I can use my Accuquilt to cut the necessary squares and triangles I became inspired to dig into my bin of solids and try a couple blocks of my own. I’m pleased enough that I’ll definitely keep going. It’s fun to be sewing with the bright modern colors again after spending most of last year creating quilts with the more serious (dignified?) 1800’s reproductions.

Here’s what I’ve got so far, “making do” with my Accuquilt dies and scissors. My Bear Paws are much simpler than Then Came June’s — fairly quick to make.

I don’t care for the colors in the second one but once it’s placed with other brighter blocks I think it will play well. In fact some “quieter” blocks in a quilt help with balance.

If you’d like to see what others are doing with this block for some truly fabulous interpretations check out Then Came June’s “Goldie” block. You’ll be blown away. (My version won’t be anywhere near as beautiful as hers, but I don’t want that to stop me.)

https://thencamejune.com

Another quilter with the Bear Paw fever is Jolene of Blue Elephant Stitches. She has just finished her version and it’s very scrappy with lots of prints. I love it as well. I may have to give that one a go, too. I have some really saturated Kaffe Fassett prints that I think will be wonderful. Here’s Jolene’s version. I just love her aesthetic.

https://blueelephantstitches.com/scrappy-bearpaw-quilt/

So! Onward and upward … with scissors! And good books. Here are some I’ve finished recently. All recommended. I’m looking forward to a 4th one by Emily St. John Mandel and a 2nd one by Miriam Toews.
I’d love to know what you’re reading these days. Or what music you’re listening to.