I posted in this forum earlier with an in-progress shot of my top ready to be pieced into rows. The quilt itself is a baby quilt for a friend's little girl, Gabriella Grace, who I have yet to meet but hope to sometime soon. It's their first child and quite a new experience for them. Her Dad was my Dungeon Master in college and is an absolutely awesome father, from all accounts.

While this is the second quilt I started, it's the first I've finished. I'm 23 and very new to both sewing and quilting, having touched a sewing machine for the first time in early 2010. I decided I needed an easier project to complete than the first quilt I started so as to bolster my confidence and convince me that I could see a quilt through from beginning to end. And, well... I can!

The top is a rail fence with solid flannel blocks at intervals. I'm not sure what its technical name would be? I started it intending to make all blocks a rail fence but eventually decided that I wanted another fabric in there. I'd also originally intended to add a border and decided last minute that I really didn't want to.

The backing material is flannel that my Nanna used to use on nighties for my Mom and Aunt back in the day. I plucked it from her stash a little while ago and there was just enough to use with this quilt. I was delighted!

This is the machine responsible for all of the piecing, my Nanna's old Bernina 530-2 Record. She brought it with her from England (she's Swiss originally but married an Englishman) and so I have to use a converter, since the motor is European. She got it sometime around 1957-58 and used it every day until she lost her sight about ten years ago. I only recently managed to dig it out of the chaos that was her sewing room and brought it home for some TLC with her blessing.

My bedroom is also my sewing space, hence the foldout sewing table and mini armoire surface. Much caffeine was consumed today in the form of coffee and tea! I had the top in rows this morning and completed everything else throughout the day. It's a stitch-in-the-ditch with a small pink tie at the center of each block.

And this is me, savoring the glow of victory for a few snuggly seconds!

Great start. Lucky little lady who'll get the quilt too.

Great job....keep up the great work....I see you have a stash going :)

Great job. You should be very proud of yourself! :lol: :thumbup:

I am happy to see young people quilt and or sew. I think your quilt is beautiful. Very nice colors. The baby should love the softness of the flannel. Don't forget we would like to see your next quilt.

Thanks you all! Yes, the stash is mostly flannel from Black Friday at Joann's. It's perfect for making small pet furniture, but I was also happy to discover its usefulness for baby quilts. Gotta love color!

Connie, I absolutely won't forget. Posting for other people is a help in motivating me to get off my duff and get sewing! Ella's Daddy just gave me their new mailing address, so it should hopefully be on its way as soon as I figure out how to label it.

Beautiful! I love the soft colors, great job!

What a cute little quilt. Love the backing on it too. And loved your story too. Glad you are turned on to quilting now. Hopefully we will see more projects from you on here!

Gabriella Grace is one lucky little girl. Her quilt is adorable and you did a really nice job! Congrats on finishing your 1st quilt!!!

Love the quilt and your story. I think it is really special you can have Nana's machine and be using fabric from your family history. It is a great little quilt...and I hope the first of many...Look forward to seeing more of your work.

Isn't is wonderful to be able to wrap yourself in something you put so much love into? You just can't beat that! Great job.

Be proud. Be very proud.

Good job!! :)

Your quilt turned out so well, it's pretty, soft and cuddly, just right for a little baby girl. Thanks for telling your story, it makes the pictures so much more meaningful. I see you have a tidy stash, is that a stack n whack spread on the bed?

Good for you! I bet grannies is very proud of you! Can't wait to see your next quilting project!!!!!

Your baby quilt is cute as can be. I love the soft colors together. I just finished a soft color, floral quilt tonight. It was made with friends from my quilting group. I'm going to post a pic of it very soon, and explain the process we used. I just finished the binding a few minuets ago and I am going to put in our Pioneer Quilt Show in mid April.

Nice job, lucky baby!

Way to go! You've made a beautiful quilt! Whoo-hoo! Keep it up!

very nice....love the colors.

Great job on your first quilt! It looks so soft and snuggly - perfect for a little girl!

What a pretty little quilt! Great first job. Love the story and it was just meant for you to have your gm's machine. Happy quilty!

What a great story, and the history of the fabric in the quilt. You should include this story with the babies quilt gift for her to know in the future. Perhaps it will inspire her to sew one day.

By the way I LUV your quilt on your bed!
Good Job! and welcome to many years of sewing for you.

Great job on the quilt and a great story to go with it. Glad you are sewing and quilting and especially on the older machine. My daughter recently took up piecing and quilting and is doing a wonderful job. I'm very proud of her for her accomplishments. It's great to see the patterns younger people come up with. Keep up the good work!!!

Loved hearing about the story behind the quilt. thanks so much for sharing it all. I truly enjoyed reading it. And you did a fantastic job on the quilt. Can't wait to see your next projects. Keep up the great work.

Great little quilt! Here's to many more!!

Great going. I sometimes wish I had started quilting at your age. I made cloths for 40 years first.
The quilt looks so soft and cuddly.

Good for you it turned out lovely

beautifully soft looking quilt.

Nice job

What a pretty soft snuggly quilt! Baby and family will adore it forever.
I love the table the Bernina is sitting on also. Welcome to the family of quilters. It is wonderful hobby with which we can share our love with others just as your first quilt is doing already.
Wonderful new beginning!

Congratulations!! and thank you for sharing your story... You have a lifetime of love to enjoy...

Congratulation on the completion of your first quilt.

I love the happy look on your face.

Very nice... I love the story behind the quilt!!! It will definately be appreciated and I"m sure the baby will always think of you when she is wrapped up ( hugged )nice and cuddly in it !! Geat job sooo whats next???!!!

Great baby quilt! Enjoyed the story .. how fantastic that you are now the keeper of your Nanna's wonderful machine!

Great job on your first quilt!!! I'm sure that it will be greatly loved!

That is a lovely quilt for a little girl and you did a great job! Congrats on finishing....you did it! Woohoo! Now, just keep on going! I can see we are going to see some great things from you.

It's very cute and you did an awesome job! I know it will make parents and the baby very happy!

Woo! hoo!, on your way! Wonderful baby quilt, I know baby & parents are going to love it.

I think you did just great. Keep the machine even if you get a new one because some day you will want it back,

We are so proud of you. A very pretty little girl's quilt. She will love it. I know your Mom and Nanna are very proud of you, too.

Keep on quilting and posting. We love to see your great work.