Semaphore Quilt Designed by Author Marie Bostwick

This month in the Quilters' Book Club, we're reading Between Heaven and Texas by Marie Bostwick.  And look what I found in the Fall 2013 Easy Quilts Magazine - this Semaphore Quilt designed by Marie!  You can read more about it here.

In the book, man character Mary Dell Templeton submits her original quilt designs fifteen times to Quilt Treasures magazine before she finally gets noticed (in a big way, I might add!) 

Marie was recently interviewed here. She responded to this question:  Many of your books incorporate quilting. Do you see similarities between this skill and the writing process? Also, how do you feel that the inclusion of this element enhances your stories?

"Oh, yes! When I make a quilt I’ve got to take all these little bits and scraps of different sizes, shapes, and colors, and make them come together into a beautiful and balanced whole – which is exactly what I have to do when I’m bringing together a disparate cast of characters with different personalities, needs, and desires and trying to blend them into a story that is entertaining and believable. And just as there is a lot of rewriting, editing, and cutting in the writing process, there is often a lot of ripping and re-sewing of raveled edges when you’re making a quilt.

"Nothing about it is easy. Sometimes it can bring you to tears and tempt you to say bad words. But, in the end, when you see the finished product, it all seems worth it.

"And, if you think about it, living life isn’t that much different – it’s just that the process takes longer. That’s why I think quilting works as a metaphor in so many of my books. Even non-quilters pick up on the larger picture. And as a practical consideration, quilting is a wonderful and natural device to bring together characters from all walks of life and all backgrounds, people who might not have had the opportunity to meet and become friends if not for their interest in quilting.

"As a quilter myself for more than a quarter century, I can attest to the truth of this. I have made so many, many dear friends through quilting."

 Have you ever, like Marie Bostwick, had your quilt pattern published in a magazine?  Have you ever, like Mary Dell Templeton, submitted a quilt pattern for publication and been rejected?   Inquiring minds want to know!  Answer in the comment section below.  (If you are reading via email, you must first click on the blog title to be able to comment and read the comments of others.)

By commenting, you are entering your name in a giveaway of a fabulous prize pack containing Wedding Ring, Endless Chain, Lover’s Knot (first three books of the Shenandoah Album Series) and Mountain Away, all by Emilie Richards - courtesy of Harlequin!

Heads Up:  Our September book is The Goodbye Quilt by Susan Wiggs.  You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post here.