Then she had a little brother and moved from her crib to a twin bed. She needed a twin blanket of some kind, and I thought, I'm going to make her a quilt (I had just gotten tremendous sewing confidence with a new Bernina and super-sewer best friend).
It was the first quilt I ever made.
It is a simple Nine Patch, made using a vintage sheet as the light color and then pink, blue, and yellow scraps from Rebecca's stash. I didn't buy any fabric for this quilt - too overwhelming to me to throw open the fabric store floodgates. I got a walking foot for my Bernina, and machine quilted in simple diamonds, making an X across each patch. I didn't mark any quilting lines and the wonkiness here and there does not bother me.
The back is another vintage sheet. When I took a photo of the quilt For the Record and for the online quilt show, it was the first time I actually stepped back and studied the design. I love the little pathways made by the dark and light patches. I also like the darker blue in the middle, with a few random patches close to the middle so it's got an unstudied charm (to my eye).
Genevieve loves it almost as much as her "pinky," the pink and yellow crib comforter I made her (folded at the foot of her first bed, here; now she's got the top bunk).
However, I would put a border around the Nine Patch quilt next time instead of doing the nine-patch right up to the binding. I like how a plain border frames a quilt. (Kim's quilt was the next quilt, and that did, you can see, have a border).
This is a church directory photo of our family around the time that Genevieve's quilt was done when she was 3 and Ben 6 months old.
And today, she is still my very sweet girl and she loves her quilt. We wash and use it hard. . . maybe there will be a little scrap left for her in her adult life, something to treasure and remember a childhood by.
Now for a quilt for my sweet boy. . .
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22 comments:
Hi, its a beautiful quilt. Very pretty and no wonky stitching in sight :)
What a lovely quilt...and lovely little family. Enjoyed reading your post.
That really is some brilliant color work.
Thanks for sharing your first quilt! You did a beautiful job! Boy quilts are fun too!!! enjoy!
I love this. Sweet, simple and a treasure for your sweet little girl. I love the way you quilted it. Beautiful!
Amazing what children motivate you to do. You can't go wrong with a nine-patch and believe me, this won't be the last.
I know nothing about quilts but lots about love. I see clearly the love you have for your babies in this post. The quilt is beautiful, and it is a tangible and comforting object that expresses a beautiful love. It's just wonderful!
I hope you make a quilt for Benjamin as well. I made one for each one of my children except the last one. Undecided on her pattern and my timing.
My eldest daughter asked me in the fall about getting apartment insurance. I asked her how she would feel about losing everything, when what she owns is of little value? She said the thing of value could never be replaced. It was her quilt.
Thanks for sharing.
Amazing work:)
Beautiful quilt. I'm interested to see what you come up with for Ben.
My daughter sleeps under the quilt my Grandma made for me when I was born. I treasure it. I sadly have ot quilted for my own kids. I keep making them as baby gifts. I need to get going on some for my own babies!
It's just charming. So, so pretty and feminine and vintage-y adorable. Blessed Genevieve!
I love that you used what you had and ended up with a gorgeous, much loved quilt for your precious girl. Is Ben's in the works?
Margo, it is GORGEOUS! So very sweet for a sweet little girl. I can't wait to see what you create for Ben.
Love it! Love the story, the photo of you with Baby G, the family picture. It's all great. Thank you for sharing such special memories.
Tracy, Ben's quilt is just an idea in my mind a few piles of fabric. But after all the inspiration in the quilt festival, I think I'm altering my ideas. . . .we'll see. I would love to make a quilt top this summer and have it ready for him in the fall.
So sweet! And lovely. You are a wonderful creator...of children, quilts, and everything else.
*SO* sweet- what a great story to go along with it!
What a lovely story. I loved how you managed to use your fabric stash for this beautiful quilt. It's so meaningful. Thanks for sharing.
Awesome. I love these sentimental keepsakes.. and gorgeous family pics! :)
Nine patches are always so pretty. Great quilt.
I can't wait to see what you're dreaming up!
I really love this quilt!! It is so sweet and lovely. Well done!
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