Humble Beginnings

The mercury has taken quite a dip here recently, which means the family has been burrowing under quilts more than ever. The above quilt was brought out of the linen closet to be added to my youngest son's bed, so I thought I'd show it to you.

This is the first quilt I ever made. It took me years to give quilting a try. I love quilts and I love sewing, but was sort of afraid of the scale of taking on such a craft. I was afraid that I would mess things up or (heaven forbid) not like quilting. Then I decided that I would take the plunge and manage the risk by not buying fabric to make my first quilt. I decided that I would use the flannel receiving blankets I had from my sons' infancy. I had so many - which meant that the fabric was still in great shape. I chose a quilt pattern and got busy rotary cutting strips, squares and rectangles (I skipped attempting the triangles that made up part of the pattern and stuck to four sided shapes).

I used a flannel double sheet for the quilt back and I free hand motion quilted around the polar bear pattern on the sheet rather than something more complex. You know what? I fell in love with quilting somewhere in the process of making this first quilt. I know the quilt itself isn't the most beautiful, that the pattern's complexity is lost in the blandness of all the white flannel and that my machine quilting has stutters in it. It was my humble beginning into a craft that I adore putting my hand to and something I can see myself continuing for years to come.

Comments

  1. This is such a special quilt. I bet if feels amazing. And so many memories in one quilt. This is just awesome Katherine!

    ReplyDelete
  2. How wonderful that your quilts are being used to keep your family warm! I love that your first quilt was so experimental. You are so brave! My first quilt was made in a class. I am such a scardy-cat!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wonderful story and wonderful first quilt! I love all the white in it!

    ReplyDelete
  4. From the receiving blankets! My eyes just lit up when I read that. What a treasure in so many ways.

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a wonderful quilt memory. And such a beautiful quilt too. I loved it when I laid my eyes on it :)

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Go ahead...say something! Got a question for me? Ask it! I can't wait to hear from you... so start writing... and thanks in advance for letting me know you're sharing in my online adventures. Hugs and happiness to you!