I posted my FMQ sampler last time around. Now for the reveal on the first "pieced" item. I must say--it is a whole different ball game. The photo of this little table topper doesn't show the stippled center and curlicue border well, and they are the parts about which I feel the best. The part that really shows is the awkward leaf border that didn't turn out anything like I hoped. This was a hostess gift for my sister who hosted our family Thanksgiving celebration. I was up very late the night before finishing it and was so tempted not to even give it to her, but I swallowed my pride and gifted it. I am tempted to make another one, do a better quilting job, and trade her.
Okay, I broke down and dug out the "quilt journal" for a photo of my first quilt. I'm joining Bonnie's "share your first quilt" post, and here it is. I didn't have a digital camera when I took this and this is the best shot I could get of the quilt journal page. If you click on the photo you can probably read the story behind it. I did the quilt on the top, and my Mom pretty much did the bottom one. The next two quilts I made actually got worse so I guess I should be grateful they aren't on the same page. These two were true scrap quilts. I made most of my daughter's and my own clothing, and some of my boys' clothing. The wild, tropical prints were very popular among the girls and these quilts were made from scraps from the many outfits I had made my daughters. They were tied, not quilted, so maybe they don't count, but this was my beginning. I had hand quilted on my Mom's quilts and those of my church quilt group for years, but had not pieced a top until this. I wasn't sure I would ever do another one!There you have it. After these photos I may never be able to show my face in blogland again. Hope all you brave souls who ventured out on Black Friday were not a part of any of the violence I saw on the evening news. I stayed home and sewed.
Until next time, from the little mountain valley where the sagebrush grows,
Janet O.
Hi Janet! I like your leaf border. I clicked on the photo and it doesn't look bad at all. I have yet to try FMQ, still a little intimidated. Love your first quilt story. I linked up as well. :o)
ReplyDeleteYou're being too hard on yourself. I'm sure your sister loves her table topper. The pretty pinwheels are the first thing I noticed. Lovely design! One reason I like to look at old quilts is because most have lots of imperfections. The fact that the quilt is still around tells me it was valued even with the "flaws". I'm sure most quilters of yesteryear were to busy to worry about crooked lines of quilting and cut off points. I try to think of that with all my oopses.
ReplyDeleteFun to see the story of your first quilts. They are very bright and cheerful. Do you still have them? I'm glad you kept quilting.
The only stores I entered yesterday were a restaurant and a grocery store. Neither were very crowded. I'm with you on staying away from the insanity!
I wasn't out in the middle of the night like some of the Crazies but I did venture out after a good night's sleep and breakfast with the grandkids. Cute quilts you made for your first ones. My first ones were tied also. I still have it but it looks pretty sad.
ReplyDeleteoh, mom, i'm sure norma loves her new table-topper! i think it's beautiful. and how fun to see my quilt! i didn't know that was the very first quilt you made. i've still got it and it's in great shape! in fact, it's out in the living room right now. mona often enjoys stretching out on it in front of the heater. :)
ReplyDeleteLove your 1st quilts... all those bright and beautiful prints! I truly believe that the best quilts are the ones that are used and loved!
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job on the table runner... and if your sister doesn't like it, I'll be very happy to give it a good home!
:)
I'm so glad you found those quilt photos!! Aaah, not so bad after all!
ReplyDeletePretty colorful that's for sure!!
I think you did a really good job on your little table runner! I know she will just love it!!!
You better not go hide! I'm sure your sister loved the hostess gift hand made by you! I know I would have.
ReplyDeleteLove your bright first quilt!!
Yes, I liked your leaf border, too. Very pretty! Your FMQ is looking good! Are you going to join in the FMQ challenge on SewCal's blog starting up in January? I plunged!! Hugs! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a treasure that little quilt is.....I know your sister just loved it! The stippling in the center is great....and yes, we can see it. Harder to see the curlyques, but the leaf border is great, and the so are the pinwheel corners. It's perfect! And your 1st quilt is FUN! I'll bet your kids clothes looked great, too!
ReplyDeletegreat to see the first quilt. It sure is bright and cheery.
ReplyDeleteI really like the colors you used.
ReplyDeletegreat little quilt and your quilting is great, no need to be so hard on yourself!
ReplyDeleteI bet she loved it! Yes make another one for yourself.
Kathie
You should give yourself more credit on your quilting - you are doing great! It was not long ago that you started, I am amazed at your progress. Isn't it fun (and funny) to look back at first quilts? I should post about mine.
ReplyDeleteI think they look wonderful! I would dig out a photo of my first quilt but it is buried in this mess somewhere. Trust me, it doesn't look as well as yours.
ReplyDeleteKristie
Janet, how nice of you to acknowledge your sister's hard work with such a treasure. I think your table topper looks great! Fun to see your first quilt. My first real quilt was also a scrap quilt but I had to buy most of my scraps. :) Not quite as thrifty as you. I did venture out later in the day on Black Friday and did witness some verbal confrontations. Saturday morning, JoAnn's had the longest checkout line I had ever seen. Lucky for me a cash register was unable to accept cards and they called all customers who had cash to that register. Very few of us had cash on hand and were able to quickly get out of there...whew!
ReplyDeleteLooks good!!! Always love seeing your things!!! You continue to amaze me!
ReplyDeleteJanet I can see your leaf border, and it is just great. What a nice gift to take to Thanksgiving dinner. Hope you had a nice holiday.
ReplyDeleteJanet - Your machine quilting turned out really, really good IMHO! Keep at it, and you'll be satisfied with your work eventually..... How thoughtful of you to take a hostess gift - I never would have thought of that!
ReplyDelete