Friday, August 15, 2014

FF: First Quilt.

I started blogging shortly after I started quilting, so I only have two quilts that I haven't shared on this site. However, I thought it would be fun to get both of them posted, and why not link up with Don't Call Me Betsy's Quilt Flashback Friday while I'm at it? I originally posted my first two quilts at my personal blog, which is now defunct, so I'm going to copy and paste the original text here because that's simpler, but it will also give you an idea of where I was as a quilter.

This first quilt is from December of 2011. (Wow, have I really been quilting almost three years? It doesn't feel that long!)

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So, a very very good friend of mine is having a baby boy this spring. (We'll call him Dude Baby.) Since she is a very very good friend, I wanted to do something fantastic and magical for the little Dude, and I knew I wanted to make something for him, and preferably something that would be lasting, you know? 

Switch to quilting--I've been wanting to learn to quilt for YEARS. However, whenever I researched it, it sounded like an expensive hobby to get into, and one that would require personal instruction and the acquisition of a whole new jargon. It was intimidating. Also, for most of those years, I didn't have a sewing machine. 

After having a lengthy discussion with my friend K, I decided to give quilting a go, and just in time to make a quilt for the Dude Baby. Awesome, right? Forty plus hours later, the quilt is done, the Dude Baby's awesome mama has received it, and I'm posting photos this photo for your viewing pleasure.


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Friends, this was my first quilt. OMG. It was a little intense. I probably bit off a bit more than I should've been chewing, but I'm glad I did. It was funsies, and I loved making it. The fabrics were sheer craziness, the quilting lines are crooked in a bad bad way, but it all came together in the end. Best of all, the Dude Baby (who is now 2) adores this quilt, carries it everywhere with him, and I get frequent photos of him snuggling it. It makes my heart melt, and it reminds me of why I quilt.

Life after baby #3 is slowly coming together. I haven't sewn much at all, which is to be expected, but I haven't minded not sewing, which is unexpected. I thought I'd be freaking out without my regular Agatha time, but instead, I've been enjoying spending lots of time with my three littles and my husband, who has kindly taken some time off. We've taken a couple of day trips, spent lots of time at the park, gone for ice cream, gone swimming, taught my oldest how to play Mario Kart...so much goodness. Fava is a delightful baby, and my two older sons cannot stop giving him kisses and snuggles.

Thanks for all of your lovely well wishes!

8 comments:

  1. I think it's wonderful that we go outside our comfort zone as quilters when we first start quilting, because how else would we ever learn what we really enjoy doing? I think my quilts have actually gotten simpler as I have discovered more about what kind of quilts I love the most!

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  2. Sometimes the best projects come out of not knowing what you're getting yourself into! Glad you stuck it out and that the challenge (and long hours) didn't turn you off of quilting. It always warms my heart to hear about or see pictures of gifted quilts - that's the best part really.

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  3. The first quilt I started (but not my first finish) had partial seams, ha! Crazy. Your sashing looks like it all lines up; pretty clever for your first quilt!!

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  4. What a wonderful first quilt, and getting to see it used and loved? Priceless! So glad to hear that the entire family is adjusting to Fava and having such a lovely, cozy time together. Agatha can wait, and so can we. :)

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  5. Aw, isn't that the best feeling, when something you made is loved so much?! That's so great, and can I just say I love the Dude Baby? Best nickname! And ah, Mario Kart, so much fun, I've been enjoying a fair amount of that with my munchkin this summer as well :) Thanks so much for linking up with Quilty Flashback Friday!

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  6. What a great first quilt....really sweet. It's good to look back and see how far we have come, sometimes!

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    1. Oh, I totally agree! I know I've grown a lot in the three years I've been quilting, but I can still see so much of myself in this quilt! :) Thank you!

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  7. I can't believe you went for on point blocks for your very first quilt! It's so awesome - and everything looks so straight and lined up. Love the farm print fabric too!

    Plus, congrats on Fava!! I've been largely offline the last month, but I'm so excited for you. So happy to hear you're all settling in with your new addition, and having fun family outings together :)

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