Sunday, July 12, 2009

My First and Last Quilt

Hi! If you are new to my blog, welcome! I'm so glad you came to visit me! My name is Amanda and I have been quilting for 14 years.

In case you didn't know,Carrie Nelson of Miss Rosie's Quilt Company and Camille Roskelley of Timbleblossoms had this great idea for everyone to show their first and last quilt!

My first quilt was one that I made for my youngest daughter, Julia, when she was born 16 years ago this coming Tuesday. It was a floral print and I took fabric doilies and appliqued them by machine, and then I machine quilted it. You're not going to believe what I did!!! I gave it to Goodwill when I was getting rid of baby stuff. So, my "other" first quilt is this one:



a Quilt in a Day Log Cabin. I made it in 1995 when I lived in PA. It was Superbowl weekend. My son's Kindergarten teacher decided to host a Super Quilt Weekend where she would teach us how to make a quilt in a day! And we did. I learned how to cut out the quilt, chain piece, and I caught the quilting bug in a really big way.

I have made a lot of quilts since that Super Quilt Weekend and, I don't know, it seems that I learn something new with each quilt I make. It's sort of an on going "thing". My best friend, Terry, is a fantastic quilt maker. I have learned so much from her as far as color theory (of relativity), piecing, pressing, and how to loosen up and have fun. I have so much fun sewing with her and the many friends in my sewing group and Quilt Guild.

Here are a few quilts I have made since that Super Quilt Weekend.

This one is on my bed.



It's named Stars and Chains and was in the 2000 winter issue of Quilt magazine. The fabric is Folk Art Wedding II by Robyn Pandolf. I had never done anything in a fabric line before, but when I saw this fabric I spents lots of money fell in love and completely redecorated my bedroom. That's been almost 10 years ago, and I still love it. Judy Laquidara beautifully machine quilted it for me. The little pillows I found at Walmart a couple of years ago.



Here's what the same quilt pattern looks like, but I used fabrics from my overflowing scrap collection.




I love to make seasonal/holiday quilts, too. Here's one I made to hang behind my family room couch in the month of October. It was quilted by Terry.




My last quilt is one I just finished yesterday. Well, the top is done. I still have to quilt it, applique the letters, and sparkle them up a bit with little jewels.



As I said before, Julia will be 16 on Tuesday. This little birthday cake will become a signature quilt for her friends and family to sign. The fabric is Clementine and the pattern is "This Takes the Cake" by Sandy Gervais. (Click on her name. She has a blog now!!!)

Have fun on the parade of quilts! I hope you enjoyed seeing mine. Come back Wednesday where I'll show Julia's birthday quilt all quilted, jazzed up, and signed.

Amanda

24 comments:

  1. Great quilt story! Does Julie know you gave her baby quilt to Good Will? It was great to see the same quilt pattern in two different fabrics.

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  2. I loved seeing all of these quilts. They are gorgeous. Thanks for sharing.

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  3. You have always done beautiful work from what I've seen since discovering your blog. I love the signature quilt for your daughter's 16th birthday...what a special gift for her!

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  4. Hi Amanda ~ I spent lots of money on that fabric too! And I have an overflowing scrap basket too... SISTERS!

    Your first quilt is wonderful, your most recent quilt is wonderful, all of the quilts you showed are wonderful, and even the butterfly quilt in your blog header is wonderful... uh, no, we're definitely not related. :)

    Thank you for sharing your quilts and your stories!

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  5. Love the Quilt in a Day Log Cabin...I've seen quite a few of us who started with Quilt in a Day! The 16th birthday quilt is so cute...and what a great idea!

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  6. I can't believe you gave the first one away! I bet it was cute. :-(
    Someone somewhere is probably enjoying it now, though, and maybe it's even a little kid who would not have gotten a homemade quilt otherwise.

    You really have an eye for color. I always love looking at your pictures/quilts.

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  7. I really love seeing everyone's quilts. I love your Halloween quilt!

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  8. Happy Birthday to your teenager!! What a great idea for that autograph quilt. My granddaughter would love that...

    BTW, the link from Sandy's name doesn't work....

    Oh oh... my word verification is HAPPI!! How fun is that!!

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  9. I'm glad I did not see all these "quilts" before I posted. Oh the shame... it's just incredible the amazing work so many gals did at that stage.

    What a great idea to do a signature quilt. It is darling!!!!

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  10. Amanda, your quilts are beautiful! You bring back fond memories of my serious addiction to Robyn Pandolf fabrics when she was with Moda!

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  11. Can't wait to see Julia's quilt all finished. What a great idea.

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  12. Amanda...your quilting is very lovely. I enjoyed seeing your work and visiting your blog! I love the connection that we quilters have with one another.

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  13. amazing.. your quilts are so pretty.. thanks for sharing

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  14. I love them all! Come by and visit my blog, but go back to some older posts to see more quilts. My blog has been a bit heavy lately.

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  15. How funny that you have your first quilt to Goodwill!! So many of us never realized where we would go with our quilting, Amanda! Hopefully someone has really enjoyed it over the years! And look how far you've come - your quilts are gorgeous!
    Cheers!

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  16. Beautiful quilts all! What a neat idea for your daughter's 16th birthday -- it's adorable and a great keepsake.

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  17. Love all the background on your quilt history. Very pretty quilts. That is such a great idea to do for the cake quilt. Signautres will be such a great memory.

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  18. They're all lovely quilts -- thanks for the inspiration. The 16 on the cake is too cute!

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  19. Oh yes..I loved seeing your quilts and the stories behind them...you are really a talented quilter!! Thanks for sharing!

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  20. I love your quilt journey. That first quilt is gorgeous...I made the quilt in a day too, but it took me much longer than a day...it was a cool way to do the log cabin though...your quilts are beautiful. You are very talented and do beautiful work!! Thanks for sharing those pics. Love seeing everyone's work on these blogs.

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  21. Your quilts are amazing. Quilting is on my 'crafts to try' list but I haven't quite got there yet. Yours are an inspiration.

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  22. IT has been so fun seeing everyone's last and first quilt. I have yet to participate. Oh well. You're amazing and so are your quilts!

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  23. How fun! I particularly am fond of the Halloween one...probably because I have been itching to do a Halloween quilt myself.

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