The other durable element in the quilt is an old dress in Indian printed cotton. I bought it in Harvard Square in...let's see...1971, I think. I wore it lots in college and loved it so much. I toted it around with me over the years, even though I would never wear it. From time to time I would wash it, though, to rinse out the dust. My decision to use this dress was purely an act of love for some things of the past. The design of the quilt came very easily. A quick sketch and I knew what it would look like. I sewed up the first three long herring-bone bands. It was like a dirge. Then satisfied that that was over at last, I composed the triangles panel. Another long stage. But worth it. Then for the life of me I couldn't get up the energy to do another one of those eternally long herring-bone bands. I hesitated for weeks, months even. I was seriously depressed. Much happened in the course of those weeks to prove that I had reason to be somewhat depressed. The event of losing a friend and an illusion was cause for some blue time. Gradually I got back the need to sew. I had other ideas I wanted to do and being too proud to let something fall by the wayside unfinished, I forced myself to complete the "perseverence quilt". And I'm happy I did. The triangles are not at all tacky now that they are on a black background. In fact, they almost sparkle. The red dress combined with the deep blue-purple is rich and warm. I had plenty of material, which had been a worry for a while and points and corners are all nice and tidy. The backing is a deep, blood red with small circles drawn on a field of fine lines. Interesting. Now as I am quilting it, we have established a cat-proof way of covering the quilt frame. The two little kitties can't really do anything with it. All in all the quilt pleases me and I hope it will give many a warm, cozy nap in the months of winter to come.