My first quilt was a Pam Bono pattern. Way to many small pieces and lots and lots of flying geese. What the heck, i did'nt have a clue so I just kept plugging along. I stuck with it because I loved it. My next quilt was log cabin,very easy.

Absolutely love this!!

I have loved reading all these "first quilt" stories. My aunt and cousins inspired me to quilting as they always made beautiful quilts so upon retirement in 2010 I bought a new machine and started in. My first was called Rosettes by Vivian Smith. I didn't know that I didn't know enough to make it so I jumped in. I'm happy with the top but it isn't sandwiched yet. I am waiting until I am better at the quilting part to finish it. I purchased a Sweet 16 last year and I'm getting more skilled. I may tackle the quilting on that first quilt later this year.....or next. Unfinished that first quilt hangs in my sewing room and I love it! [ATTACH=CONFIG]573552[/ATTACH]

This is gorgeous, SherB! You did a fabulous job on a very demanding quilt. You have every right to be proud of it and yourself. I'm impressed!

Leslie

Isn't it amazing what we can accomplish when people don't tell us we can't? Some lovely first works here.

SherB, that is a beautiful top! Stunningly beautiful. Well, my first quilt was a Sunbonnet Sue machine applique -- I purchased a pattern book, but the quilt (a baby quilt) measured only 28" X 36" -- I said that's not a quilt -- it's a lap pad. I had been sewing (clothing) for almost all my life -- this was 2002-- I bought the fabric, the eyelet lace in cotton-varigated pastels. I copied for my own use, increasing the size of all the blocks --and doubled the numer of blocks, too, to make a 45" X 60" crib-sized quilt. In addition to the fabric I bought, I used fabric from my grandmother's stash (she passed away in 1993), and fabric from my mother's stash (she passed away in 1998), fabric from my stash and the new stuff I bought. I cannot begin to remember how many pieces of floral prints in 1/4 yard pieces I bought. My husband ordered and assembled a Hinterberg hand-quilting frame, and although I assembled the blocks, with sashing, a border, then the eyelet lace, then another border, and machine-appliqued the Sunbonnet Sue blocks -- there were sooooooooooo many hands and feet, flowers, cats, dogs, birds, cakes and candles in those blocks. I was working full-time, and trying to maintain our new house that we built in 2000. It took me 5 months to finish the blocks, assemble and hand-quilt it. My niece was so happy with that quilt -- she absolutely dissolved in tears -- it was for her daughter. I am a self-taught quilter, and I'm glad there really are no quilt police -- I would have been banned form quilting a long time ago. The colors were all pastels (I'll attach a photo-- I was pretty proud of that one). The next quilt I made was a whole-cloth, hand embroidered quilt of my own design -- my cousin in Oklahoma quilted it for me. I was a wedding gift for my nephew, and his bride graduated from the University of Arkansas. From there I've made a few log cabin quilts, the first being gifted to a local U.S. Army veteran (the son of a very good friend of mine). My machines are all vintage machines, one being the first sewing machine I ever owned -- a Christmas gift the first year we were married (from my DH). I've also assembled some heirloom hand-embroidered blocks made by my aunt who is now 90, to make a quilt, with matching pinch-pleat drapes, valance and bed skirt. I am totally self-taught -- the log cabins I've made -- no real pattern -- just the block layout with 2-inch finished-size logs. I've learned a lot online and on this forum so I am grateful for that -- I also learned from appreciating the quilts my grandmother made. That's where I am now -- back to a couple of baby quilts for boys that I'm nearing the finish line! Okay, here's the photo of my first! [ATTACH=CONFIG]573590[/ATTACH]

That is one of the sweetest Sunbonnet Sue type of quilts I have ever seen.

bearisgray, thank you so much! I knew how to sew, but I had never, ever made a quilt! I just jumped in -- and this is what I got! I still have the book I bought for this -- I'll always keep it!

I'm still a beginner -- you NEVER learn everything. Right now, I'm up to my ears in quilts to quilt, so I need to be working on them, but I've been under the weather a little the last few days, but this will pass!

Jeanette, that is a precious quilt! No wonder your niece was so thrilled with it. I'm always impressed with anyone who hand quilts. I love it.

Leslie

My first quilt (after I tried a couple of blocks and got really, really confident when I shouldn't have been!) was a crib/wall quilt kit from Hearthside Quilts. It was 60 degree diamonds put together as calico stars with muslin in between. Yep, and most of it is set-in pieces. That quilt is from about 1988 and is still not finished, though now I have the skills that I need..... Maybe one day!