by Melanie in IA
I made my first quilt more than nine years ago. It was a pretty horrible experience. I was thoroughly ignorant. All I knew was that a quilt had three layers, and that the “top” layer typically had pieces of fabric sewn together. Well, I did that. I cut the fabric using scissors after drawing around a square of manilla from an old folder.
The thread tension on my sewing machine shifted unexpectedly between fine, and not fine at all. I often was tempted to throw the machine through the window. Unfortunately, replacing the window would cost a lot more than replacing the machine!
At my daughter’s baby shower, I told her I didn’t care how many babies she had. I would never make another quilt!
The center of this quilt, everything inside the green border, was that first quilt. The whole quilt you see here was after I repaired and enlarged it about five years later. It looks pretty crude, but my granddaughter still has it and still loves it. (And I still love the pink plaid!)
But after making that first quilt, I had to make another, because another baby was due. It was a guilt quilt. And so were the next two.
By that time, I had learned a few things. I had a new sewing machine and a rotary cutter, mat, and rulers. These simple tools (and a seam ripper!) started me on my way to the quilting I do now.
Since then I’ve made well more than 100 quilts, including finishing twelve last year. Two of those were bed quilts, two were “medium” sized, and eight were lap/nap quilts.
What was your first quilt? (Or are you still working on it??) Did you enjoy the experience? Did you do it on your own or take a class? Who was it for?
Here is the link to my first quilt. http://antarabesque.wordpress.com/2011/11/10/a-new-thing/#comments It was a challenge, but I had an amazing and creative group of ladies to advise me along the way. Of course, I am now obsessed, and have a stash that some fabric stores might envy …
WOW! That’s ambitious, but it turned out great! Thanks for stopping to read and comment.
Thank you for returning the favour! I think your first quilt is lovely and obviously loved, and that is the greatest value of what we do.