Hi, I'm Karen and I just finished my first quilt 2 days ago and put it in the mail today! I'm NOT a seamstress...having a love/hate relationship with my sewing machine for many years! But all that changed when my son's father-in-law recently suffered a stroke. I was going to make him a prayer shawl but that seemed too "geriatric" for a veteran police officer in Lubbock, Tx. So I decided to quilt him a lap throw...just one small detail...I've never quilted! So I started it with a fairly simple pattern, "Center Court". I was inspired by his love for his favorite college football team, the Texas Tech Red Raiders. I sent the quilt with a photo journal of my journey making his quilt. I must say now, I am hooked! :-)

Neat quilt. I am from east central IL but we winter in the RGV in Alamo. Love Texas.

Hello and welcome from California! Congrats on your first quilt - I love the colors! He is going to love it!

Welcome to the board from Southern California!!

Congratulations on getting your first quilt done!!1 It looks terrific!!!

Welcome from NM. Your quilt is great, the way you used the Raiders colors in the courthouse block really sets it off! And its your first-bet we'll be seeing lots more from you.

Fantastic quilt. He's going to love it. What a neat idea to send a photo jounal of your project for him.

What a great first job! Welcome from New York state!

Welcome! I'm so glad that you are "hooked" now on quilting. I would have never thought this was your first quilt at all! I'm sure this will mean a lot to him. Please do keep quilting!

What a great job! he will be sooo happy with it! Applause!

What a really nice gift for your son's father in law. Looks great! Prayers are being sent for his speedy recovery.

Thanks for the encouragement everyone! I don't know that I've experienced such a range of emotions making this quilt! My machine's tension was giving me fits besides just the fact that I was doing everything for the first time! Never held a rotary cutter in my hand until I made this! I'm looking forward already to my next quilt...but HAVE to clean my house first! Seems everything came to a screeching halt once I started this project 3 weeks ago! My new goal to learn with the next quilt: Balance! How to quilt and keep my home relatively clean at the same time. Ha!

Your quilt is awesome! And not just because I'm a Tech fan! I made my dh one last year and have that same fabric to make one for my son, as soon as I'm not splitting my time between Lubbock and Austin. I'll be able to sew when I'm back home in Lubbock next month. I'm so excited. The next quilt I make will be the Tech quilt for my son. Did your fil get it yet? Did he love it!?!

I just sent it today. Hopefully it will arrive in Lubbock on Fri or Sat. at the latest. His dtr. will be flying in to see him on Sat. and wants to give it to him personally. Would love to be a fly on the wall when he gets it! ;-) PS. I'd love to see a pic of your Tech quilt when you get it done!!

Nice job, and you did a very nice thing for him.

Welcome from southeast PA!

Hello and welcome from Fort Worth. Nice quilt.

You're doing great work so far, but, Honey, don't you know you are reaching too far too fast with this goal?? Seasoned, long-time quilters have yet to master this technique. It is something to be dreamed of, not worked hard for.

Do give yourself a break and give it up. (So the rest of us won't have to feel compelled to live up to such standards when it is MUCH more relevant to life to just quilt!!)
Jan in VA :-D

Hello and welcome from Ontario.

Hello, & welcome aboard this is the place to be. :lol: :lol: Wonderful quilt :thumbup:

very nice quilt, welcome and hello!

Hi Karen I live east of Bastrop not to far from you.
You did a very good job on your quilt. I'm sure the
one you made it for will treasure it.

Howdy neighbor!(from San Antonio) Beautiful quilt!

...Do give yourself a break and give it up. (So the rest of us won't have to feel compelled to live up to such standards when it is MUCH more relevant to life to just quilt!!)

Jan, love the way you think! klm

Welcome!

Beautiful quilt! That's a great gift from the heart.

Hello and Welcome to the board :D:D:D

Your quilt is beautiful! I bet he loves it!

Hi from upstate NY great looking quilt!!!

Welcome from Ohio. What a great lap throw. Hard to believe that is your first quilt. Awesome job.

Nice Quilt! Welcome from Michigan.

Hello and welcome from South Texas. Mission/
McAllen area.

Love your quilt, you did a great job!!

Welcome form NE Indiana! What a striking quilt :thumbup:

Hi, and welcome to the Board, from Central Texas.

Hello and welcome from central Alabama.

I clean as I go, once fabric is cut, what is not needed is refolded and put away so I can locate it the next time I need it. Any trim ends go into the trash can to keep the cutting area neat n clean.
Since I do have 2 dogs and 2 cats all indoors, I am very careful when it comes to pins on the floor, not allowed. I also tend to walk around barefoot so pins in the foot would not be comfy lol.
It just depends on each individual as to how they do things.
Welcome from Virginia.

As far as the house, I try to do one room each day cleaning wise.

Welcome from Ireland. Lovely quilt.

Welcome form NE Indiana! What a striking quilt

We used to live in Granger, In for almost 9 years! Came back to Texas to warm up! lol!

Very nice 1st time. Welcome from Palestine Tx

Welcome!! great quilt

That's a great quilt! I know he will love it. Welcome to our quilting world. Alabama bids you Welcome.