Tuesday, March 23, 2010

A quilt every few days or so #14


Back to Kansas. When we lived there I wanted to make the kids a quilt that they could take outdoors in the grassy fields for picnics and games. I found a quilting magazine with the pattern for this quilt and had such fun making it. It was a christmas present for them the first year we lived in Kansas. It got plenty of use outdoors. It is machine appliqued through all three layers of the quilt, to make it extra sturdy.

About 20 years later a friend was getting rid of some quilting magazines and offered them to me. Right on top of the stack was the same magazine (which I no longer had) with the country roads quilt on the cover. I was thrilled - though had no specific plans for making the quilt again, I surely wanted that magazine.

Moving ahead in time another 15 years or so - and I wanted to make a quilt for our grandson Jahn, for his 7th birthday. He was too old for a "baby" quilt - but too young for a quilt made of just blocks. I pondered and pondered and one day Don suggested that I make a quilt like I had made for our kids in Kansas - brilliant man!!!


Jahn - holding a matchbox car that he has been driving around on the quilt . . .


Jahn's dad is very interested in Big Foot - so of course I had to make a "little" bigfoot on the quilt

I hunted for fabrics near the same colors and even found backing fabric that was quite similar - a dark reddish brown with small print.


Jahn opening the quilt at his birthday party. . .


And then I couldn't wait to make a country road quilt for Ben for his birthday the next December. This time I kept the magazine - just in case I need to make another.



10 comments:

Wilma Lee said...

That is sooo cute. Wish I had the pattern.

Pat said...

What a fun quilt for kids!!!

LINDA BYLSMA said...

I hope you still have that magazine, Jo. I think I need to make it for my "Granny Hopechest".

Dena said...

What a wonderful beginning to a family tradition. I'll be those boys will treasure those quilts for years to come. Thanks for sharing.

GardenOfDaisies said...

OH this is sooo fun!!! What kid wouldn't love that?
Have to ask you - where in Kansas did you used to live?

Christine Thresh said...

Will wonders never cease? You keep pulling out great quilts.

Lili said...

What a luxury to actually have a hand made quilt to use on a picnic! You have the best ideas to go along with your amazing handiwork Jo! ~Lili

Barb said...

Your quilts are wonderful!!!

Crispy said...

What a great quilt for a boy!! My son would have loved that for driving all his matchbox cars on :0)

Crispy

Browndirtcottage said...

I love that first photo of your kiddos!!!
This absolutely THE perfect quilt for a little boy. Once again you are soooo creative Joann!!