I really don't know when the quilting bug bit me, it was just something always there. My mom and sisters are all sewers, but no quilters (that I know of) are in my family. I just wanted to make one. So I took myself to a class and the rest as they say is history. This quilt is the result of that class and perhaps is why I still have a love for HSTs!
The label on the back (I think actually made for me by Jenn from A Quarter Inch from the Edge) tells me that I was a tender 21 year old when I stitched this baby, and we have been using it ever since. It has been on every camping trip I can remember and has been a staple at our family camp forever!
It has some lovely wear happening now. I think it just adds to it's charm...
Yup - that is polyester batting in there...yikes! But you know what, that thing is light, warm and fluffy all at the same time, so I should not be ashamed:) The other funny fact about this quilt, the teacher never mentioned a thing called a rotary cutter. Every pieces was either "ripped' or cut with scissors. Not that this is a bad thing, but man am I glad I found Olfa!
This was Charlie's very first trip to camp and somehow he ended up on this quilt after an exhausting trip to the beach. This quilt seems to welcome everyone!
It's fun to look back at what we have made. For me, my choices and tastes have evolved over time. While I know that the colors in this quilt are likely never something I would chose again, I think I would still make the stars, but perhaps no sashing. Would that make this quilt Modern? Who knows. All I know is that I liked it then, that's why I made it, and I continue to create that way now. If I like it, I make it!
Do you ever look back at your first quilt? Think about how you got there and where you are now? I would love to hear about it!
I am going to head over and link up at Needle & Thread Thursday. I love to see what folks are working on.
Happy Throwback Thursday!
Adrienne
you know what is great about your story...is even after all these years, you would think you made it today...no cutter, pretty impressive ....and polyester...oh my....but totally agree with you, makes for a very light quilt...great photos
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun idea. I actually think it looks quite modern.
ReplyDeleteDammit! Were you reading my mind? I was totally planning a series of Throwback Thursday posts featuring early quilts. Some things never change... though thank God our taste in fabric did. And though I am more than happy to take the credit, I don't think my sewing machine at the time had the ability to do text. More mysteries!
ReplyDeleteI love this quilt. My very first quilt I had pieced together was biting off more than I could chew. And also just piecing it how I thought it should be done. I really need to finish it. I had it quilted by a long arm quilter this winter because I just didn't know what to do with it exactly. Now I just need to make the binding. Maybe I'll work on that next. Thanks for sharing your story, Adrienne :)
ReplyDeleteWow, that's so funny: I just made basically this exact quilt (without the sashing -- all white background). I can't figure out how to quilt it so it's just sitting there. But there's something so nice about these basic stars, I think. I love that this quilt has become a part of your family traditions.
ReplyDeleteI consider my first finished quilt was a BOM thru a fabric store. It was based on Lewis and Clark as the year I did this was an anniversary year celebrating Lewis and Clarks expedition. I free motion quilted that quilt on a small Janome machine I had bought to take to classes. It was done in 3 separate panels and then hand sewn together from the back. My hand sewing is horrible so I am happy to say I have hopefully improved on that. I love that quilt.
ReplyDeleteI am actually really taken with the colours and sashing! I am not good at that at all and I think this is gorgeous :)
ReplyDeleteThose colors are delightful! Hurry, mend it while you are thinking about it. Lucky dog, to get to lounge on such a precious piece of artistry.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right....if you like it, make it. I enjoyed hearing about your first quilt. It's nice, every now and then, to look back and see how much we've changed and how far we've come. Charlie is adorable.
ReplyDeleteFirst quilts are so special. Yours is wonderful! Great story it has too. I walk past my first quilt everyday. It is always kicking around the house somewhere. Mine has poly batt and poly borders with cottons in the blocks. I love it so much!
ReplyDelete