My family has always been the most important part of my
life. After I had grandchildren, I began
to understand a little more about the continuation of life. I started to think about the fact that I
would not always be here. Children grow
up and have children of their own. Life
goes on.
I wanted to leave a part of me and my love for them. I wanted to put my arms around them and hold them even when I couldn't be there, even when I would no longer be here. They all knew they had my love and respect. They knew how proud I was of each one of them. But I wanted to leave them something they could hold as a symbol of my feelings.
It was funny how it came to me. I woke up one morning and I knew what I would do. Quilts! I would make a quilt for each one of my loved ones. A gift that would be a part of me, for as I sewed, I would fill it with my love. They could wrap up in my love as well as the warmth of the quilt.
There was one small problem. Although I have been sewing since childhood, I had never made a quilt. Determined, I bought a book on making quilts and began watching a TV show on quilting. I started small and made a doll quilt for my granddaughter. The size was not overwhelming and I was able to learn the basic techniques of quilting.
I wanted to leave a part of me and my love for them. I wanted to put my arms around them and hold them even when I couldn't be there, even when I would no longer be here. They all knew they had my love and respect. They knew how proud I was of each one of them. But I wanted to leave them something they could hold as a symbol of my feelings.
It was funny how it came to me. I woke up one morning and I knew what I would do. Quilts! I would make a quilt for each one of my loved ones. A gift that would be a part of me, for as I sewed, I would fill it with my love. They could wrap up in my love as well as the warmth of the quilt.
There was one small problem. Although I have been sewing since childhood, I had never made a quilt. Determined, I bought a book on making quilts and began watching a TV show on quilting. I started small and made a doll quilt for my granddaughter. The size was not overwhelming and I was able to learn the basic techniques of quilting.
My granddaughter, Annika, loved it. Although it was small, it was large enough to
be a child size lap quilt in addition to a doll quilt and of course the
beginnings of many tea parties and other childhood adventures.
I admire anyone that can quilt with a sewing machine...I am sewing machine challenged! I can hand sew and have a hand sewn quilt to quilt by hand but with my Dupegens Contracture fine needle work is hard. I am certain your quilts will be lovely! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Connie! I can not sew quilts by hand due to carpel tunnel and arthritis so I do what I can by machine. You do so much lovely hand work with your crochet and knitting.
DeleteThis is such a good idea...to tell how you came to quilt. You will understand when i say I have been thinking about making a baby quilt or two for any great grandbabies that arrive after I die.
ReplyDeleteI certainly do understand what you say Rose and it is a great thought! I may do the same thing sometime. Thanks for stopping by again!
DeleteYou certainly have come to this ancient art with grace.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness Joanne, coming from you that really means a lot to me. Thank you.
DeleteI have thought about making a quilt (or two or more) for years now, and have saved material for that purpose, but was too overwhelmed to start. What a great idea you had, to make a small one. Maybe that is how I will finally get going too. I'm looking forward to learning how you managed with a full sized quilt on the machine!
ReplyDeleteI did not start quilting until I was in my 50's and if I can do it I know you can! I would definitely start small - maybe a wall hanging or a table runner. It is easy to learn the techniques like that and then work your way up to a larger one. I won't really go into detail on how I made a larger quilt here as I'm afraid I would end up writing too much plus it might not be that interesting to everyone that reads here. However, if there is anyway I can help you with this please email me. I would be happy to tell you more specifics on how I did it. There are many tools available these days that help make it much easier to do!
DeleteQuilts have something almost magical about them, don't they - like you say, the one who makes it can put all their love into it. Apart from that, I love the bits of fabric which can each tell their own story, if for instance they are saved from old dresses, curtains and so on.
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother wanted to make sure that her grandchildren would have something to always remind them of her. In my case, she bought me a pearl necklace. I do not wear it very often, but every time I open my jewellery box, I see it and think of my Oma who has now been gone 19 years.
It is sweet that your Oma presented you with such a special gift from her! How happy she would be to know that it brings you happiness and thoughts of her each time you see it. Grandmothers are very special people.
DeleteI agree with you about quilts having something magical about them. They give out a sense of warmth, family and love. Yes, the fabric can have much meaning. I am going to make a quilt for myself with bits of fabric left over from all of the quilts I have made and other sewing projects I have done. Then each time I look at a piece I will think of the person whose quilt it came from.
I admire anyone who an sew. I know I don't have the patience or the talent. I'm looking forward to more of what you make.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sharon. You might be surprised at what you can do. I think it is all a matter of interest and passion more than it is talent or ability. It is good to hear from you again!
DeleteI am sure that your quilts will be loved and passed on through the generations.
ReplyDeleteThank you Simone. I hope they will be loved and passed down. I have a couple of very old quilts that were passed down to me and they mean so much to me. In the old days very few people put labels on the quilts to say who made them and when they were made. I know my past family made them but not who or when. Because of this I always put labels on the quilts I make.
DeleteI have never made a quilt, either, but they are such a personal gift. What a wonderful idea! Looks like your initial doll quilt was an instant success!! :)
ReplyDeleteYes, my granddaughter loved that little quilt and is now saving it for when she may some day have a child. And that is just what I was hoping to do - create something that would be passed down.
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