Saturday, June 27, 2009

Beginnings

I have decided it would be fun to keep a log of the quilts, patterns, types, etc., that I have made. My memory seems to be getting shorter each year, so may be this would help.

I first interest was in watching my Aunt Anna making scrap quilts. She did mostly log cabin patern. Always backing them on old material, or sheeting. She used any scrap, and kept all the light to one side , and the dark to the other.

We use to love finding some of the materials she had used to make ouur dresses, and sunsuits.
Aunty also made an appliqued butterfly quilt. She did a beautiful close blanket stitch, around them by hand, and embroidered the antenae.

When my children, and several foster children were young, back in the seventies, I did start a log cabin like hers, out of scraps. It took me about seven years to finish it.

One time when the oil prices were at an all time high, I decided to make warm quilts, for everyone. I started with just square blocks. It didn't take me long to figure out putting different length blocks would be quicker,as no matching seams.

In 1999, my niece Chritina, was the one to get me back into quilting again. She was about to graduate from college, and mentioned she would love a handmade quilt. My other niece, Marcia was graduating the same year. My sister Elly, and I decided to attempt it.

About this time, the Norfolrk Extention Service offered a vey reasonable five week course on the basics of Quilting. We learned a lot and thoroughly enjoyed the class.

Christina had mentioned that she really liked the cathredral window pattern. After looking it up, we knew that it was deffinitely out of our capabilities. We settled on a log cabin pattern,and made it with a matching pillow. It took me until last year to attempt the cathedral window pattern .
I don't have a picture of it on the computer, but will try and put it on at a later date.