The story of this quilt, Fais de beaux rêves, began two years before I knew what that phrase meant. The purchase of the fabric set in motion the assembly of the top, but the theme for the piece didn’t reveal itself to me until it was time for it to be quilted.
On Mother’s Day 2003, we went to visit our son during his first year at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. Seeing him on my special day provided a good excuse for a quick trip to Vogue Fabrics, only a mile from campus. I was immediately attracted to one artfully composed fabric with gigantic peonies that looked like they were painted in watercolor. Since the fabric came into my life on Mother’s Day, I concentrated on the mother and child relationship for the theme as I planned the layout.
As I had successfully done the two prior years, I began the quilt during my three-week break between summer school and my final fall semester. However, many interruptions kept me from working on the piece and it look over two years to complete. (Earning my degree and writing the first book.) By the time I was able to get back to it, Ben was in his junior year at The Sorbonne in Paris. We were in the habit of emailing late in the evening and I would end my notes with “Sweet Dreams”. One night I asked him how would the French say “Sweet Dreams”? The answer was “Fais de beaux rêves”. That sounded like the perfect title for my quilt
With the name for the quilt chosen, I proceeded to search for images with a French theme and that expressed my longing to remain close to my son, at least in my heart. Many new techniques and original patterns were invented for this piece that combines fused raw-edge appliqué mixed with turned-edge appliqués to create the unique border. The process used to enlarge the clip-art Eiffel Tower and bird delivering a love letter into stitchable designs is now offered in my design classes.
Again, I used what is now my recognized formula of supplies for my quilts; the solid colored RJR sateen fabric, the Hobbs Heirloom Wool Batting and a combination of lightweight threads; polyester by Superior Threads and silk by the YLI Corporation.
I have had great satisfaction in completing this piece and showing at quilt shows around the country. After focusing so long and hard on my degree, and after the pure joy of creating the projects my first the book, I finally got back to the real activity that makes my heart sing, Heirloom Machine Quilting. It took me 160 hours to complete the machine quilting.
2008
National Quilting Ass. Honorable Mention and Judges Award
International Quilt Festival, Chicago, Winners Circle Exhibit
2007
Dallas Quilt Celebration Second Place, Masters, Large, Appliqué
Quilter's Heritage Celebration, Third Place, Appliqué
International Quilt Festival, Second Place, Merit Machine Quilting
Lowell Quilt Festival, Best Machine Quilting,
and First Place, Large Traditional
2006
Road to California, Best of Show
Quilting on the Waterfront, First Place
Conventional Machine, Traditional, Large
Three Rivers Quilt Festival, Best Machine Quilting,
and Viewers Choice
American Quilters Society, Finalist
Pacific International Quilt Festival, Best of Show
2005
Prairie Heritage Quilt Show Sun Prairie, WI, Best of Show
Minnesota Quilter's Guild, Best Machine Quilting
Quilt Expo, Madison WI, First Place, Large, Machine
A Quilter's Gathering, Best Machine Quilting,
and Viewers Choice
Quilt Odyssey Hershey, PA First Place Appliqué,
and Viewers Choice
© Joanie Zeier Poole 2005 Photo by Norman Lenburg
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