Where it all began- quilting
I am often asked where I learned to do the art and crafts that I now enjoy. Today I am going to focus on quilting. I made my first quilt when I was 11 years old. It was over the summer between my fifth grade and sixth grade school years. I spent a few days in the basement of my grandparents house sewing away with my grandma. What made this extra special is that my grandma ended up passing away from ovarian cancer that November. That time spent with her was precious and I am lucky to have something to remember that time with her. Since that first quilt I have made over 50 other quilts and I have learned a lot along the way. I have learned new techniques, learned more about color selection, and expanded on my pattern styles. I have even designed a few patterns myself. There are other aspects of quilting that I have “upgraded” as well. My first quilt is held together with yarn where I now have a long arm to quilt my quilts. If you do not know what a long arm is that is okay. I will do another post all about long arming very soon. I am currently in the middle of another project, I am making a book of all the quilts I have made over the years and it has been fun to see how my abilities have improved and my style has changed.
Most of the quilts that I have made end up becoming gifts for people for various reasons. I love the look on people’s faces when they pull the quilt out of the gift bag and see it for the first time. I am a believer in making quilts that you can wrap yourself up in and settle in for a good book or movie. You will not find small lap quilts in my stash. You will also not find any heirloom quilts in my stash. The quilts that I make are made to be used and abused. They are meant to be the blanket that you grab every night when you sit down on your couch to relax.
If you are interested in starting a new hobby and are interested in quilting but do not think you can do it…. you can! Like the saying goes, DO NOT FEAR LIFE! Do not fear failing. Quilting is not as hard as it looks. Start out simple and build up your skills as you go. It is okay if your quilts are not perfect. All that matters is that you tried.
The first quilt that I made with my grandma when I was 11 years old
A more recent quilt that I finished
