Wednesday, July 8, 2009

My First Quilt - My last Quilt - Summer Parade of Quilts

This is going to be fun - our first quilts and our last quilts - - you can find out more by going to Simplify-Parade of Quilts. There will be lots of fun this summer, looking at everyone's quilts.

My first quilt was made for our first child - a little girl - who is now over 40 - and is Ben's mommy.

I bought the embroidery patterns from an ad in the local newspaper - sending off a quarter in an envelope for the pattern, and hoping that no one would steal my quarter on the way. We lived in Alaska and it took a long time for that pattern to come - but it did get there in time for me to embroider and make the quilt before she was born.

Isn't she just the cutest thing??? Still is!

I sewed the first quilt with invisible thread - and I have no idea why, but it is the truth. What I learned was - Don't sew with invisible thread!!!!

And the most recent quilt I made - interestingly enough - was also for Beccy.

This was made for her massage office - and Ben helped me make it - he spent a lot of time moving pieces around and arranging things - as only a 2 1/2 year old can do.


Some close ups of the panels (seed packets) and the quilting.

And Ben, now 4 1/2 - enjoying the quilt after I got the binding stitched down. It took a long time to get this finished (it took a long adventure to Missouri and back before it finally got quilted) - and then Julie in Idaho quilted it for me - and did such a wonderful job.

15 comments:

Christine Thresh said...

Your daughter is cutest thing.
I enjoyed seeing your first and last quilts.

blushing rose said...

Ben & mommy are cuties. Love the quilts. Invisible thread ... YIPES, that would be a challenge, I would think. TTFN ~Marydon

Jocelyn said...

Love both quilts. Your daughter is such a cutie, and Ben is too!

Crispy said...

Awww how cute...both of them!! It's amazing to me that so many have their first and last quilts, I have neither as I just make 'em and give 'em away.

A quarter was real money 40 years ago!!

Crispy

Elenka said...

I love the first quilt! What a treasure. So nice that you still have it.

Moon Daisies said...

What lovely quilts, which bring so many happy memories, and such lovely family photos.

Teresa said...

You first quilt is so charming and sweet. I love the embroidery patterns - you don't still have them do you? I would gladly send you a quarter for a copy - lol - just kidding on that one, but I would love a copy of them if you are interested in selling them.

Anonymous said...

Quilts can be comforting to children especially. When I first started quilting I thought of using invisible thread too. What seems odd now made sense back then.

I also associate quilts with healing - the one for your daughter's massage office is ideal. It will put people at ease and communicate the warmth and comfort of healing hands.

Unknown said...

Oh, the Toronto Star used to have those embroidery patterns for sale too! I also looked at the Dr Denton's right that were so popular. One of my boys wanted them even when the sizes were too small for him. Do they still make those sleepers I wonder?
Wonderful photos once again.

Judy S. said...

Nice! There's lots of time spent in that first embroidered quilt, that's for sure....each stitch made with love, I imagine!

Dena said...

I enjoyed seeing your first and most recent quilts. You really do beautiful handwork and your first quilt for Beccy is a nice example. I'm a fan of old crate labels and they go nicely in your last quilt.

Camille said...

Great story about sending a quarter for your first pattern. What a lucky girl to have such a sweet quilt. Thanks for joining in the fun!

JoyceAnn said...

Beautiful quilts ! Ben is such a cutie , with the quilt over his head (LOL).

heather said...

Love the bright colors in the second quilt.

Lila Rostenberg said...

Two lovely quilts for your darling daughter! The tradition continues!