April 18, 2009

Spring Quilt Festival 2009


A bit of blogging this morning had me finding out about http://parkcitygirl.blogspot.com/2009/04/quilt-festival-spring-2009.html It looked like so much fun I just had to join in. You're more than welcome as well! Check out the link above for the details. My favorite quilt, is my very first one. I drew up the pattern I would use before I even knew a thing about quilt blocks or seam allowances. I made it from my daughter's baby clothes. The cut off points don't matter, for me it's about all the memories, both of the past and of the future. In this quilt I found a part of myself that I had been missing for my entire life, and yet never knew. Sitting at the sewing machine allows me to reach through the generations to touch the people who having lovingly made quilts before me. Touching all of those fabrics, some outfits had been hand-me-downs and some not allowed me remember all of the joy of my daughter's babyhood and to peak into the lives of the wonderful women who had shared their children's things with me. I am blessed to have made this quilt. Working with bias square triangles and knits at the same time showed me how limitless quilting can be. When I started I was certain I would send it to a longarmer yet, when the time came, circumstances prevented it. Taking a deep breath I started machine quilting in my little Elna which has only a 6" throat, and you know what? It wasn't so bad! To this day that machine is still my favorite for quilting! Jessica playing peak-a-boo with her quilt.

15 comments:

Zonnah said...

The quilt is beautiful!

Kerri said...

such a lovely quilt!! love all the pink and white, and different blocks!!

Vicki said...

What a great quilt! Maybe someday I'll make a quilt from my little girl's baby clothes.

dutchcomfort said...

Such a lovely quilt!

Aunt Spicy said...

What a beautiful quilt, I love the colors!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful work! Really beautiful and I'm sure it will make a wonderful family heirloom!

Vicki said...

For your first quilt you did an amazing job. I love the blocks that you designed and you were brave to tackle the quilting with your Elna on such a large piece.

Scrappy quilter said...

Beautiful quilt and I love the story that goes with it. I totally understand.

Jocelyn said...

Great quilt, and what a sweet story behind it. Thanks for sharing.

Heather Landry said...

I have to tell you Liz that is my favorite quilt as well. All of the love you put into it just shines through.

Aunt Spicy said...

ps. My Mom is in the middle of repairing the wedding ring quilt right now. She had had to unpick-resew quite a few. Luckily the quilt top had left over fabric so she has been using that...but it has been a labor of love! Good luck with yours! I think it is well worth it to repair it!

stitchinpenny said...

The quilt has so much love any missing points are trivial. That quilt is the best kind chock full of memories. It is both special abd pretty to boot.

Ilena said...

Oh I know all about trying to shove that quilt in and around that tiny space! What a beautiful quilt and so nice to hear someone else is touched by the craft.

Unknown said...

Beautiful quilt with lots of sweet memories! Thank you for sharing :)

quiltmom anna said...

A lovely quilt and lots of work to design all the components.
Your cat Sunny, looks like our cat Mars. Mars is a funny cat who we thought was a boy but turned out to be a girl. She loves to flush the toilet and then run like crazy - too bad we can't teach her to use it first LOL.
You can see a photo of her on my blog.
Regards from A Western Canadian Quilter,
Anna