In March 2008, I decided to come out of my 6 yr. hiatus and begin quilting again. What made me decide to start quilting again you ask? One word…Lowe’s. For those of you are unfamiliar with Lowe’s, Lowe’s is a home improvement store that my husband loves, like I love Nordstrom. (my shoe and handbag mecca) We were going out to dinner on a Saturday when he decided he wanted to run in to Lowe’s for a few minutes. Yeah, right. It was my lucky night because there just happened to be a quilt shop next door, so I had him drop me off there and pick me up when he was done. As I walked in, I thought “I’d like to make a quilt, so I’m going to look for a quilt book that says something like quick, make a quilt in a day or something along those lines.” As luck should have it, what do I find…
Perfect! Exactly what I was looking for!
“Quick Trip To Grandma’s House” is the name of my second quilt. My first big quilt. It is a “Trip Around the World” quilt pattern done Eleanor Burns style from Eleanor’s book Quick Trip Quilts. No, I did not make it in a day, but I fell in love with quilting all over again! Eleanor Burns became my new hero! I read her suggestions on how to make fabric selections by the way, I didn’t have a clue on how to pick fabrics, followed her instructions and made my quilt. I made a large queen. The top was so big. It looked like a boat sail! I pieced it on my little Bernette, but soon realized after the top was completed, there was nooooo way I was going to be able to quilt it on that machine or at least that’s what I told my husband. So I got a new one!! I’ll show you that later!
I stitched in the ditch on the whole quilt and stitched straight lines on an angle in the borders. In each of the four corners of the outer borders, I free-motion quilted my twin daughters’ handprints and names. I was very pleased with how the quilt turned out! This quilt will always have a very special place in my heart. It I wasn’t giving it to someone so dear to me, I don’t think I could have parted with it.
I made this quilt as a gift for my mother-in-law for Mother’s Day. My MIL is very special to me. I work as a makeup artist for a BIG department store cosmetic company. I have to travel quite a bit and when I travel to the other side of the state, I stay with my in-laws. My MIL takes the best care of me while I stay. She gets up early to make me breakfast, packs my lunch and always has dinner ready when I get home after a long day. I am very fortunate. I gave her this as a big thank you for all the wonderful things she does for me.
What a wonderful story about your first quilt. It doesn't sound like it could go to a more deserving person!
Eleanor Burns brought me back to quilting too. I was a hand-piecer but drifted away because it took too long to reach the finish point (and the satisfaction of finishing). Then I took a log cabin Quilt In A Day class; haven't stopped, always have a couple of projects in the works.
I almost cried while reading about how you made my beautiful quilt. Remember how much I missed it when you took it for a show, I couldn't wait to get it back. Thanks for putting so much of you into it, Dad and I love it and you!
Mom
I learned a lot from Eleanor Burns myself! What a great success story. Very lovely quilt.
Beautiful quilt, and how lucky you are to have a special relationship with your MIL. I'm not so lucky. Congrats!
My sister and I made our first quilts together with the same pattern. She then made one for her MIL in the same colours that you made yours!
It is a beautiful quilt!♥
Wow – what an ambitious and gorgeous first quilt, Linda! Eleanor Burns was one of my "guru's" as well – I learned to quilt watching her and others on PBS! How funny about your comparison to Lowe's and Nordstrom – they have actually always been both of my favorite stores – only since retirement I think I now favor Lowe's and jeans over handbags and shoes – lol!!
Cheers!