I took a quilt class in the 70s and made a king-size sampler quilt. I used polyester batting and tried to hand quilt it. What I did was acceptable, but I never finished it. I put it on our bed half quilted and half pinned and used it for years. The solid colors faded badly and now it really looks awful. The year I finished piecing the top my mother died and whenever I see that quilt it makes me want to cry.
Having gone back to quilting in the past several years at the prodding of my DDIL, I am amazed at how piecing and sewing and finishing blocks had improved and become so much more efficient. I love quilts and I love looking at them they are breath taking. I don't care which pattern is used, they just give me a thrill.
Since the 70s class, I have made 6 quilts. I SID 3 of them and had the others professionally quilted. I have had a time getting comfortable with FMQing. My DIL has done it on her 35-year old Kenmore. She is amazing and has made, oh so many beautiful quilts. She is my inspiration and my helper. We love shopping together; I look she buys. She picks out the most beautiful and different prints and colors and I am totally intimidated. I buy kits and that is fine. I love them and I am learning from them about colors and styles.
I have a cute and funny story to tell about my DIL's daughter, my GD, Maria. She would accompany her mom and me to the LQS. She was probably 3 or 4. The owner, Jinny, loved her and would let her "help" her. They got to be great friends. One day when my DIL and GD took me with them, Maria said that she wanted to introduce me to her new friend. She took me by the hand and led me into Jinny's office and said, "Jinny this is my Nonnie. She lets me dip my cookies in my milk!"
My DIL told the children that they could not dip their cookies in their milk, but my DDIL would let me let the children dip them at my house. I told them that they could only do it here and it was okay with mom. It's funny isn't it? How such a simple thing can mean so much to a child. The first thing they would do when I took care of them is ask if they could have milk and cookies. That's what Nonnies are for right?