First Quilt - ever

This is my first quilt. I started this in July after my father passed away from lung cancer early in the month.

In attempt to keep my mind busy I'm trying to find a new hobby. Since knitting and crocheting is actually harming my arms something new is needed. My crafting mantra, fabric has became my new love.

I went into my semi-local fabric store Stash to see the lovely fabric. I knew that this was more than my grandmama's and mother's fabric store. I adore the "new" ways quilts can look because of the yummy fabrics that are coming about.

And it started with one charm pack. I promise only one. And purchased one charm pack in July. I got the pre-cut Moda Arcadia prints home and paired with with this lovely gray solid. Things were going great until I realized that one charm pack wasn't gonna be enough for a lap quilt, at least the way that I had it sewn. Le'sigh.

I went back and got a second Moda Arcadia charm pack and another charm pack for my 10-year-old step daughter. Okay, and maybe a jelly roll of the Moda Arcadia for a second quilt (la la la la - no one heard that).

Sewing the top of this quilt was super easy because I've known to sew since I was a child. Executing an entire quilt was something else. There is more to it, all of which I learned on the fly.  

I never knew about the quilt sandwich. I first pinned the entire "sandwich" and started machine quilting. I called my mother almost in tears, there were puckers in the machine quilting. This was going to be impossible. She guided me with her motherly wisdom to use spray glue. Yeah, that totally worked better!

I got all of the machine quilting done and then the next hurdle was before me ... what next? 










Blindly into binding the quilt with the assistance of Red Pepper Quilts Binding Tutorial

I've been so happy with my lap quilt. No turning back - this obsession is real. So I have other quilts started, I think there are about five in the works, but don't tell my fella that.
 
This is my entry into the Blogger's Quilt Festival - Fall 2010 . Please go see the other lovely quilts here.

http://amyscreativeside.com/2010/10/29/bloggers-quilt-festival-fall-2010/

Starting thoughts

I'm quilting and crafting in memory of both my grandmothers. My father's mother was a knitter and crocheter. My mother's mother was a craft-a-holic. She made just about everything from quilts, sweaters, dolls and bears with clothes. I couldn't keep up with these women.

My father was a craft genius in a different fashion. He was a yard sale fanatic. He could find the darnedest things and then turn it around for a pretty penny. I'm not sure how he had the patience. He also refinished furniture and crafted some of his own. I wish he were still here.

Memories of my mother making my sister and I clothing for our dolls and barbies. Not only those items but matching outfits for us. She was so wonderful to make us anything that we wanted. Her fabric supply overshadows mine by leaps and bounds.

To be different from my family, which I learned was not so new, was jewelry. While I still have these items they are not my current thrill.

I then went to yarn. Without much help I'm a yarn-snob. I've made yarn quilts or yarn creations in the past and really enjoyed giving these away. Since I've been under a wee bit of stress I overworked my arms and unable to knit or crochet my stress away. Even with exercises the muscles are overworked.

A different fiber--quilting--has been thrown into the mix.The variety of movements I hope to keep my arms in full swing for years to come.

What I'm going to try to do is show some of the skills my family has passed down to me.