Duchess: The Story of My White Wholecloth Quilt

LeahDay

Leah Day has been teaching online since 2009. She's the creator of the Free Motion Quilting Project, a blog filled with thousands of quilting tutorial videos. Leah has written several books including 365 Free Motion Quilting Designs, Explore Walking Foot Quilting with Leah Day, and Mally the Maker and the Queen in the Quilt.

27 Responses

  1. Sharon-NZ says:

    Woohoo way to go, I read every word and the whole post was fantastic, I wish you heaps of good things for next year – I love the blog and no you dont have to post every day – no pressure I am sure we shall all read it regardless and look forward to the posts when you are ready.

    hugs

  2. Laurie says:

    I hope you continue to blog and share your amazing talents with us out here in blogland. Best wishes for an even better 2010!
    Laurie

  3. kclily says:

    I found your blog only 3 weeks ago. It was mentioned on one of the quilting podcasts. You have so inspired me to get up my nerve to try free motion quilting. I have taken 2 classes and feel I learn more from your videos than I did in the classes. Thank you, Thank you. Even if you only post once a week I will so look forward to that one post.

  4. mad elena says:

    What you have done this past year and what you offer to continue to doing are all just amazing! Thanks for lessons about quilting and about life.

  5. Suzy says:

    What a wonderful post! I absolutely read the whole thing and you should be so proud of your achievements. I also found it very comforting to know that you have had your ups and downs regarding problems with your quilts and the quilting process. I think we quilters need to know we are not alone out there and even those to whom we look to as role models are not perfect. I found it very comforting indeed, as I have never gotten up the nerve to enter a quilt in a show for fear of rejection. Maybe now I will let go of that fear and the goal of "validation" and actually enter one if for nothing else than a learning experience.

    Congratulations on your hard-won ribbons. You have a wonderful and informative blog and I hope our guild contacts you for a show and "class". Yes, I've started the wheels in motion and hope they follow up on it. :o)

  6. Kate says:

    Leah – you are right – I didn't know you in January – but I have so enjoyed your blog over the past few months…What a great post – so generous of your thoughts and time…
    I absolutely totally agree with you about letting go – this year has been huge for me in that regard and I am still learning – my husband and I separated at the end of June, and that was a big letting go moment. For the first time in as long as I can remember I will not be making resolutions tonight – another letting go opportunity, as I am trying to really be focused on the present and what "is", not what I hope or fantasise "is". I have always been controlling and a doer – so this is big for me…
    Thanks again for your perception and communication and generosity!!!

  7. Amy says:

    Leah – Good for you for realizing that you need to give up your work-a-holic ways. I myself suffered from this and perfectionism for years. Unfortunately, my children were grown and I am in my 40's before I figured this all out. Life is short and the emotional accomplishments will far outweigh the physical accomplishments. I understand perfectly how we can use projects etc to try and heal our hurts and insecurities from the past. But you are successful regardless of your achievements. You have a wonderful spirit and are certainly loved by your family, friends and the quilting world. I wish you the best of luck and many blessings as you move forward in this direction!

  8. Asiyah says:

    Rock on with yo' bad self!

    I loved this post. Leah, you have no idea how inspiring this quilting adventure has been to me. Imagine how many others feel this way too.

    Nothing but good vibes your way…

  9. Julie says:

    Leah – I stumbled upon your blog earlier this fall and was hooked! I check in daily waiting for my next "fix" of quilting inspiration. I love the DVD's and the new tools I have purchased through your online store. You really do inspire us quilters out there that aren't confident that we can finish our own quilts. I have already finished one this fall using your filler design inspirations!! I have a whole stack of quilt tops that I am going to hopefully get through this next year also. Can't wait for your next inspirational message!!

  10. Kathy P says:

    Thanks for sharing with us. I also have the type of personality that makes me feel like I have to "do it all", but sometimes I have to stop and focus on some advice I got from two very important people in my life – my grandmother and my husband – and they told me to "follow your dreams – but don't forget to stop and smell the roses along the way".
    Wishing you all the best with your business AND your family in 2010.

  11. wordmama says:

    Leah, you will have so many comments you won't even notice this one. But…I want to say that you have become a regular part of my conversations about quilting. You have inspired me to try FMQ, which I always wanted to do. I started a blog so that I could comment on your blog, which has been a really special experience for me. I, too, have a lot of emotional things to let go of this year and realizing my creativity helps me to find my direction and focus my energies. I owe you a huge debt. Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do. You are so full of light and it shines out of you every day.

  12. elle says:

    Yup, doing something in white and the spots show up. Leap into a commitment and we surprise ourselves. Evaluate the journey and we are better prepared to go forward. It is wonderful what we can learn from each other. Thanks for sharing yourself. That makes you courageous but also vulnerable. It helps me move forward. Blessings in the new year!

  13. Ethne says:

    Bless you Leah for all you have shared with us – you have blossomed this year, but not only that, you have reached so many of us who have be afraid of FMQ, and I'm sure there are many like myself who are proposing to test, stretch and develop our FMQ skills in the coming year, with your continued help, inspirition and advice. To that end an idea that just 'popped' into my head – why not in 2010 – start a Flickr group showing your followers FMQ journies.
    Best wishes and warmest blessings to your and your family this coming year – embrace and enjoy the journey

  14. Debbie says:

    I read the whole thing, Leah, and I'm glad you gave us a chance to get to know you better. I like that you have put some more variety into your blog (and still love the filler videos!) and hope that you continue to be able to share all your quilting experience with the rest of us who are eager to learn from them.

  15. Erica Spinks says:

    Leah, thank you for taking us on your creative journey with you. It has been a very stimulating trip! 2010 will be even better for you, I'm sure.

  16. Quin says:

    All I can say is "Wow". Ok…not really, as you can plainly see…I'm saying MORE. 🙂

    I had NO idea that this venture was only 3-4 months old for you. Seriously. Not even a hint. I've been cruising quilting websites for years and a month ago I went to YouTube to watch some quilting videos. I saw one of yours, became an instant fan of your skills, your down-to-earthness, your perfect diction and your "spirit". I think I watched as many of your videos as I could that day.

    A month later, just like you inspired other quilters, I took the leap I've hesitated taking for years and bought my DDL-without even taking one free motion quilting class. YOU made me believe that I could do it just like you do it, and while I freely admit that I've got a LOT of practicing to do, every single day since then I have logged onto your site, located a design I want to try, and almost skipped into my studio to "play".

    I ordered your Supreme Slider/gloves combo kit from your store thinking you'd been selling them forever…looked professional to me. They arrived quickly and I can't imagine life without them now.

    I guess my point is, you're a natural at this girl! You DO speak in front of TONS of people-every day, through your videos and books! I can talk a blue streak in front of a live audience in my sleep, but don't point a camera at me and expect me to make any sense for long. You are a natural teacher and the camera loves you. You're also a natural writer and your posts inspire me, make me laugh, and give me courage to quilt outside the blocks!

    If you've come this far in only a few months, I can't wait to read your year end post next year! A toast-to Leah Day!

  17. Colleen says:

    Thank you for your blog.

  18. Megan says:

    Babe, I have no doubt that 2010 will be *your* year. I'm so grateful to have met you, and can't wait to see what you have in store for us all.

  19. Anonymous says:

    What an inspiring post! I had forgot today was New Years Eve and that there is a whole year of new possibilities ahead of us. We just took a trip with my MIL and my BIL and his family for Christmas. My MIL and me went to a quilt shop and she bought me a pattern and the fabrics for it as a gift then we picked up a pattern for her, I and my daughter to do together when she comes back down next month. We have a lot of baggage together and your post has inspired me to let it go and start anew with her. I vow to finish more quilts this year also. Thank you so much for sharing your quilting patterns, personal stories, inspiration and love of quilting.

  20. Janet says:

    Leah, thanks so much for this wonderful revealing of your quilting life. I found your blog a few months ago and reading it has given me so much confidence to just quilt! I've done a couple of table runners and wall hangings and a crib quilt and am just about to launch into my first full size quilt. I was too scared to even try it until I read your encouraging posts. Now you've given us your story about the Duchess. I am speechless. I can't imagine the anquish you must have felt, damaging an item that you put so much work into. And then to have the chutzpah to tell us all about it. Great for you.

    Janet

  21. Josepha says:

    Dear Lea,
    thank you so very much for your blog. i read your 31/12/09 blog and it really moved me. even without knowing it, you encourage so many of us, and we love you dearly. it's not only the quilting info , which is amazing – it's your "shining" personality we grew to love.
    i'm sending my hugs. you deserve to by happy.
    jo

  22. Wendy says:

    Wow, Leah…
    Just… "Wow!"
    Thanks for putting so much of yourself out there for all of us. I know it's really for you. But we grow with it too.
    Thank you.

  23. Lisa says:

    Thank you for sharing your experience. I have been sewing for 42 years but recently started quilting. Your blog has been a wealth of information and inspiration. I am happy to read that you plan to work on stage fright as one of your goals in the coming year. My crystal ball says that you will be much in demand in the near future. I'm excited to see you are creating stencils and I wouldn't be surprised to see a Leah Day fabric line some day.

  24. Keti says:

    Thank you for one of the most inspiring stories ever… I am huge fan of yours and really, really hope you've gotten over your stage fear as we have almost registered Patchwork Bulgaria and will invite you for our tutor (as soon as we can arrange the travel expenses:)) Anyway…Thanx again for sharing your miracle…

  25. thank you so much for sharing your journey with quilting. I am in the first baby steps of becoming an art quilter and learn with every project, I can so relate to wanting to rush ahead and regretting it later. You are an inspiration to this young quilter but old woman. Diedre Duncan

  26. Connie says:

    I just got a picture in my head after sending my comment, and I just had to share it with you. Now that you've Released Your Light (what a wonderful masterpiece!), perhaps it's time for Nurturing the Light. In my mind I see the goddess in your quilt nurturing the new creation that has come from releasing the light, like a mother holding a new baby.

    Sorry if this sounds weird, but I just had to share it for some reason.

  27. Katie Ringo says:

    I wish I'd found this post sooner… I just sent off my first show quilt and of course, it's primarily a white background. I had issues with white scraps bleeding and tried to fix it with a bleach gel pen. It looked great for a few days and then started yellowing. I sent it off not knowing what's going to happen to it a month from now in the show but I guess I'll chance it and see.

    Thank you for sharing what you learned along the way with your other show quilts too.

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