My First Quilts

Let's go back to the fall of 2001. Do you know where you were?  I had just moved to Houston, Texas, with my husband and then 2 year old son.  I was also expecting my second bundle of joy.  Almost as soon as I knew that I was pregnant, I started planning what I would be making for her....okay, him as it turned out! ;)

I hadn't even attempted a quilt since one of my nephews was born (So long ago I can't remember which one, lol). I must have made 4 quilts for my soon-to-be infant son, but unfortunately I didn't keep most of them.  I have kicked myself several times because I would love to have them to hand down to my grandchildren someday. :/  But that's okay, I have plenty of time to make something for them...hopefully at least 10 years! 

Here is the one I made that we kept. Affectionately referred to as the "Baby Blanket," this one finished somewhere around 45."  I came across the pattern in a magazine at my stepmom's house and instantly fell in love. Since we hadn't yet learned what we would have, I chose a pleasing combination of purple, green, and yellow. The back is the tie-dye fabric you see in some of the blocks. My son used this quilt on an almost daily basis until he was 9!  Yes, he had probably outgrown it at least 3 years earlier, but had not complained a bit. :)  I finally realized that he was a little big for it and offered to make him a new quilt.  Sweet, sweet child that he is, he asked me if I could just add some more onto this quilt so that it would be a little bigger!  <3

 

 Of course I offered to make a totally new quilt using any design he wanted.  He wanted the same pattern, just a bigger size.  Here it is, made sometime in the year before he turned ten.  He loves this quilt, too.  As much as the first one?  Probably not.  The original "Baby Blanket" is the softest, cuddliest, coziest quilt ever! I'm sure that is due to being washed so many times and being wrapped up in until the edges have started to fray a little.

 Guess what?  We still use the "Baby Blanket!"  I think it's the perfect size to curl up under while watching tv.  It's great if we have "little" friends over that need a nap. I have even caught my son using it from time to time! :)  Definitely a labor of love, well worth every minute, every crooked stitch, every pin-stuck finger. ;)

Do you have a favorite quilt with a story?  I would love to hear about it...

A Little Something About Me

First of all, thank you so much for joining me on this journey. :)  
I am a wife and mother of 2 (sons ages 12 and 14) that loves to create.  In the kitchen, in the sewing room, with the kids...I just love to create!  I am also a substitute teacher and have been very busy lately on that front, but I have been talking about starting a blog for such a long time-here I go!
I have been sewing for thirty years or so; first by hand for stuffed animals, then school projects, now I make quilts (lots of t-shirt quilts) and so much more from really simple bags to little girls' dresses...I recently made a long sleeved t-shirt for my son, he loves it and I love that he wanted me to make it for him!! <3
I have also been testing patterns for indie designers that I have found through FaceBook.  These patterns aren't at all what I learned to sew with!  If you are new to sewing, I highly recommend pdf patterns.  Most are very user friendly and the designers (and their fans) couldn't be more helpful.
I will be sharing pattern tests with you from time to time, maybe you will find some new favorite patterns and designers...and inspiration!

Please bear with me as I find my style and voice. Until then, welcome to my world!