I joined in the Quilt Festival that http://www.amyscreativeside.com/2010/05/bloggers-quilt-festival-spring-2010.html Amy is once again hosting.
I have been quilting @ 30 years. I signed up for beginner quilt classes but grew weary of the instructor after the 2nd class and self taught with books and magazines after that. I collected fabric for a few years before learning how to quilt. I have made numerous baby sized quilts for friends and relatives, gifting most out. I never counted them. I have a box full of tops I haven't quilted yet, but first I have to decide HOW I want to finish them.
The quilt I am sharing is a navy print with a bleached muslin bearpaw. It is the first large quilt I ever made. I used templates and drew around each one, to inexperienced enough to not realize you CAN rotary cut the pieces out! I also used a navy thread to hand quilt in the white areas and a white thread for the navy areas. I still don't know why I did that....but never did/will again!
I pieced the top, layered and basted it, even quilted a few rows...then put it in a bag and forgot it for @ 17 years. While working as a travel nurse in Arizona, I went home to New Mexico for the Christmas holidays. My son and I went to the local thrift shop, and while cruising the vintage fabric bundles...there it was...THAT navy blue fabric, the same as THE quilt! I bought the little bundle as a reminder, rummaged around at home, found the bag it was in and squirreled it away to finish in Arizona. I thought I remembered doing at least a third of it....lol....nope, just a few lines! Our anniversary was the 31st of Jan, so in between work, I quilted. Made excuses why I couldn't come home, and quilted. I finished it, washed and dried it and FINALLY got home on the 31st of Jan @ 5 pm. with my husbands 17 year quilt. He loves it. It was my first, I love it too.
Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com
What a great story!
ReplyDeleteI just love the expression on your husband's face when he openned the package..that is tooo cute.. You've inspired me to work on the one I sat back last year that is for my husband....I wonder if I'll get the same reaction.. have a geat weekend..
ReplyDeleteI love the quilt. I also LOVE the expression on his face when he opened that box! That must have been really satisfying for you!
ReplyDeleteI love these photos - they tell the story so well! And that is a beautiful quilt!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilt--and a great story. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story Elaine and a wonderful quilt, look on his face - priceless. Fabulous!
ReplyDeleteLizzie
xxx
Elaine, the look on his face is absolutely priceless - makes all that hard work worth it! What a spectacular, special quilt!
ReplyDeletegreat story elaine! i love bear paw print block! such a nice quilt!!
ReplyDeleteafter seeing your husband's face I think I should finish the one I am making for my husband. Beautiful Quilt
ReplyDeleteIt's absolutely gorgeous - and I think your husband likes it too!
ReplyDeleteThat is such a great story and look at the look on your husband's face sitting on the bed! There's love in those eyes!
ReplyDeleteThank goodness you were able to find the quilt and finish-glad it didn't get lost for another 17 years. It has a very antique feel to it, great quilt.
ReplyDeleteSandra Starley
Come see my quilt festival entries
my 1890 antique double pink star quilt
http://utahquiltappraiser.blogspot.com
and my new star repro. quilt & its 1890 cheddar star inspiration
http://starleyquilts.blogspot.com
I thought you were going to say that you found the unfinished quilt in a thrift store. That would have been amazing for it to have stil been there. LOL!
ReplyDeleteYour Bear Paw is a wonderful quilt.
Awesome story! And the quilt is beautiful too!
ReplyDeleteGreat story. His surprise opening the box is priceless.
ReplyDeleteWhat a story! Glad you finished it - it really is a beautiful quilt!
ReplyDeleteWell done.
ReplyDeleteGreat quilt. Love the expressions on your hubbies face :)
ReplyDeletePretty quilt and wonderful story!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilt! Love the story!
ReplyDeleteI too have a closet full of tops but I'm working on them now that I machine quilt too!
Beautiful quilt! I'm glad you were finally able to finish it. It was worth the wait. :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool story and great pics to illustrate it. Quilts are so cool they way they can carry so much love and history and so many stories.
ReplyDeleteGreat story, and great quilt!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful quilt and a beautiful story. So wonderful!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilt and great story!
ReplyDeleteI love it :) and your dh looks like he loves it, too :)
ReplyDeleteCute story. Great finish.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilt, with a wonderful story. :)
ReplyDeleteVery nice quilt!
ReplyDeleteThat is fantastic. It looks good for having been banished for 17 years. Love how you did it secretly for a wonderful surprise.
ReplyDeletegreat quilt--the blue and white contrast is lovely and nice surprise!!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely stunning.
ReplyDeleteI love America! Lovely quilt and great story and even cuter young man modeling the quilt! Congrats on your anniversary!
ReplyDeleteI love your story. Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteSmiles,
Kelly
What a good photo of your husband opening his present! I like your blue and white quilt on the bed! Bear's Paw is a geat traditional block!
ReplyDeletegreat quilt - great story!
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing
Beth in Dallas
The pictures add to the story and it is an amazing story..... good thing you used a clasical blue color that is just as much in style as when you began.... don't wait 17 years for the next ..... you did a good job..
ReplyDelete