Knot Sew

I sewed clothes for myself and family when the kids were young. I hadn't sewn much since. I made curtains for my bed room and wanted a cover for the bed and I couldn't find one to match my green walls. I had seen the ones my grandmother had made so I had a general idea. Got some books from the library and looked things up on line and just did it. Not perfect but looks good on my bed. that was one year ago this month. :roll:

Norah

No way, Ruthie! I thought you had been quilting a long time. Now, I really am impressed!

BarbC

The first quilt I made was from Alex Anderson's book that teaches kids to quilt. It had 4 blocks and is about a 36 x 36. I machine pieced the top and hand quilted it. The only thing I have hand quilted. That was Spring 2004. I hated sewing machines prior to that.. had no confidence at all in my ability.. but some friends encouraged me to try a quilt as I have always wanted to make one. I figured instructions for a kid would be best for me... LOL! I was hooked immediately and haven't slowed down since!

In fact, the next quilt I made was a large one... between a twin and full.. for my son from McCall's Quilting Magazine called Perky Patches.

Barb C.

Debbie Murry

I made my first quilt when I was in my early twentys. I thought it looked so easy, hah. I made a triple irish chain in amish fashion solid red white and blue standard bed size. I thought the 2" squares were too big so I made mine 1" and didn't allow for the seams. At the time I didn't know about sewing in strips and then cutting and I also didn't know about rotary cutting. It took me 4 years to cut and sew all those little tiny squares. By the time I was done I was so sick of looking at it. I sent it to my mother for her to quilt and she sent it to her mother to quilt. She in turn gave it to a woman that does quilting professionally. She did a wonderfull job on it. I had forgotten all about it cuz it took years of passing it along cuz nobody wanting to do all that quilting on little 1/2" squares. About 3 years later on a christmas my grandmother presented me with a beautifull quilt. I hadn't realized that it was my old quilt top I made 7 years before. After I saw the quilting workmanship I was hooked. I vowed to learn to hand quilt cuz when I tell someone "I made this" I wanted the pride in knowing I really did make this all by myself. I did quit for about 25 years. Raising kids, going back to school, then entering the work force. I'm now retired and luckily don't have to work anymore so I spend almost all my time on learning to sew again. And this website. I've learned so much from you guys

Norah

Debbie, you got a pic of that? I would love to see. :-)

Debbie Murry

Unfortunatly no. I gave it to my son who had it for years. One day when he was moving he used it as padding for a mirrowed headboard. While they were driving someone threw a cigarette out the window and it landed on the quilt. They didn't notice till they saw smoke coming from the back of the truck. Burned a huge hole about 3 ft wide in it. He was heartbroken cuz he loved that quilt. He's always asking me to make him another just like it. I will someday. Hopefully it won't take quite as long this time now that I've learned a few tricks.

Norah

And you didn't hang him? I get irritated when people don't use the quilts, but I also get irritated when they mistreat all of that hard work. Most have no idea how much work goes into a quilt. I told my sis once it took about 300 hours to do hers, and she finally appreciated the work involved. She thought it took a few days....... still al long time.

Leslee

My first quilts were an exercise in patience! I learned to sew back when the only patterns required a template for every piece, no matter how tiny. I remember having a sore hand with what looked like a permanent scissors-handle shaped dent at the end of a cutting session. Those tiny pieces never wanted to behave, either. They sewed up all wonky! So my first quilts were basic patterns, simple squares and stars. Years later, I'm so grateful for both paper-piecing and the rotary cutter. Who knew there'd ever come a day when I could make more mistakes than ever--but in record time!!!??? :lol:

Norah

Leslee, my sentiments, EXACTLY. :lol:

Debbie Murry

Quote from Norah: I get irritated when people don't use the quilts, but I also get irritated when they mistreat all of that hard work. Most have no idea how much work goes into a quilt.

I recently took my sister to a consignment shop just to see what they had. I had no money at the time, we were just browsing. They had alot of antiques there and I could not believe the prices, so low. Had a couple of shelves just full of old handmade quilts selling from #10 to $100. Lady there told me alot of the stuff was from estate sales. They have no idea how much work goes into a quilt. Not just the cost but the time, energy and heart. It saddens me to see that such a work of art is not prized as it should be.