Monday, April 4, 2011

WALKING DOWN MEMORY LANE WITH A FEW QUILTS ( re edited after memory came too)

Well...the quilts you saw below did come in that order but I forgot...totally forgot that before the three quilts...I was given fabric scraps in Mississippi and so I put together a few tops from those scraps...just randomly placed...and hand quilted them. Then I made two quilt tops from Red, white and blue fabric (maybe that is why I have two service men)...anyways, it was nothing great, just blocks and I hand quilted them, one was a single bed and one was a queen size one. The last son got two pieces of fabric with batting in the middle, and I hand quilted that. A few years later I took on the task below...sheweeeee I was unhappy that I didn't remember this but now I do and want to set it right. So...my youngest son was one at the time and I made his quilt in Florida, he knew it was his quilt and sometimes would come and lay his head on the quilt while I was quilting it.


So when we moved to Missouri a while later, I made this quilt you see below. From fabric scraps, walmart sheet and batting from a comforter. I drew out the design on paper and put one block together to make sure it would work. I then made a bed ruffle and shams out of bule sheets to match.

This next quilt I hand quilted. I made this for my oldest son for Christmas while he was serving a 2 year mission for our church. He complained of being cold....and I sure hate to be cold so I whippped this up for him.

I found this patten in a quilt magazine that was given to me and made this for my second son for his graduation. If you look real close, you will see the foooooo pahhhh..... my sons pointed this out to me after I had it quilted....look real close....the cl is cut off on class... They got a big kick out of it and to this day will not let me forget this. here is the back... This quilt is big enough to drape across my kingsized bed....so I am guessing it will fit a double or queen bed. The red one was just for a single bed since he did not have much room in his suitcase for much. When I made the red quilt for my son was when I started to really get interested in quilting. When we moved to Texas was when I became obsessed with fabrics, magazines and the likes....and have not looked back since. I have been sewing as long as I can remember. I guess you can say my first quilt was born 21 years ago...funny how the mind slips. But....to be honest....I really did not get into quilting until a few years before we moved to Texas and that was when the red and yellow quilts were born, so it is a Class of 2000 quilt, put a few years on that and I give myself about 14 years of quilting. I did make several quilts and sold them in Missouri.


As my children got older it became easier to lose myself in quilting. I did not know much about quilting and probably still don't, there is alot to learn but where is the joy in it all if you stop learning? And talk about this dumbing down theroy that is going around.....who cares!!! Just do what you like and use the fabrics you like....I enjoy seeing it all and I get inspired from all of you.

20 comments:

Wacky Woman said...

Oh wow. Your first quilts are beautiful Barb. I do love hand quilting; just my hand that doesn't like it.

Robin Quilts, etc. said...

Barb, what wonderful gifts you have given your boys. I have never hand quilted a large quilt, I can't imagine how much love, sweat, tears and cl-ass went into them. Thank you for sharing them with all of us.

JustCindy said...

When you started quilting you jumped in both feet making bed size quilts. I was a chicken and only made wall hangings for a long time. I think your first quilts look great.

onlymehere said...

Trust a kid to point that out to you! I may have never even noticed! So how long have you been making quilts? I've only been piecing for about five or six years. I'm loving the challenge of doing something different though here and there. My son isn't getting his quilt until after his mission, of course, he doesn't get too cold in Hawaii and the microfiber blanket we bought him when he got his call works really well for the chilly nights. Thanks for sharing with us your journey! I used to tie quilts and in high school pieced a top for extra credit. I don't have that quilt anymore as it long since wore out using it to cover furniture when we moved, lol! It was sooooo dang ugly!

Twisted Quilts said...

I read some of the stuff about dumbing down this weekend and I agree, who cares! When my kids were growing up I did not have time to do anything but work and see that they were taken care of. Like you I love making quilts for my children and now my grandchildren. I don't care who else likes them. My grandmother sure didn't care, she made quilts to keep her family warm!

Stray Stitches (Linda G) said...

What beautiful quilts! Do you still hand quilt all that you make?

Pokey said...

I had to have it point out to me too, Barb. Leave it to a kid...You've done some great creating over the years. Thanks for sharing your point of view. Too many people don't think of other's feelings when they post. :-}pokey

Robin (RsIslandCrafts) said...

My first few quilts were very interesting looking. I believe I broke many, many rules but I don't care. I had fun learning and giving my family something to snuggle under. I'm happy that I still have a few of my first quilts. The rest were given away to other family members.

I agree with you. I don't agree with the dumbing down theory too much. Sometimes you just need to make a quick quilt and enjoy the process. I make quilts in fabrics that I love and put them together the best way I can. I learn something new with each quilt and doubt that I will ever stop learning.

I'm very happy that I taught myself to quilt. I didn't know about all the rules that I shouldn't break so it didn't bother me when I broke them.

Cathy @ CabbageQuilts said...

Gorgeous quilts Barb, I esp like the hexi one. I'm with you on creating what you like, even simple quilts can be a gorgeous inspiration. xo

Gene Black said...

Barb, we don't call it "two pieces of fabric with batting in the middle" - the correct name is a "whole cloth quilt" Hehehee doesn't that sound Cl-ass-ier? That unintentional word chop is hilarious. I am sure the boys had a field day with it.

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

LOVE your quilts and kids are so funny!! Really that is funny!
Lovw your new blog look!

Michelle May-The Raspberry Rabbits said...

You never stop learning, creating or being because when you do, you die. hee,hee,hee.
All of them are wonderful sweets. As are you!
xx, shell

Diane H said...

Enjoyed your memory lane quilts, Barb. It's always fun to see how our quilting progesses over the years.

JJ said...

I enjoyed you walk down memory lane. Makes me wish I could remember better. I only remember the very first quilt all the others after that are a blurr and most of them I gave away. No picture, no memory. ;)

quiltmom anna said...

Barb,
I loved seeing all the different quilts that have been part of your journey. I believe that quilting should give you joy and pleasure. We all make our own style quilts and like different kinds of quilts- traditional or modern, simple to complex. It is more important to be making quilts that you like and feel proud of- I know that I have made complex quilts and ones that are simpler in construction. I think that both types are beautiful and their owners do too.
I was curious about how many states and countries you have lived over your married life.
Happy quilting and thanks for sharing your quilting stories. I am sure your sons love each one of your quilts- any other owners too.
Regards,
Anna

Rumi said...

Great quilts Barb. I made a tied quilt for my son in 1990 when I was a new quilter. Poor daughter is just now getting one!

Crispy said...

What great quilts Barb!! I loved the stories behind them too :0)

Crispy

Yvette said...

Thank you for sharing your quilting memories.

Mary L. said...

Great quilts! Thanks so much sharing them and their stories.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing, your quilting is inspiring me!