OT-Quilting

[Katy]

I like to quilt, but I hate to piece them! My maternal grandmother quilted a lot and I guess that's where I got my first interest in it. My late MIL did a lot of quilting too, and I'd go help her do the quilting after she got them pieced!! Anymore I've got such problems with my thimbs I can't hold a needle very long. Used to do a lot of cross-stitch too but my thumbs and eyes put an end to that.

I'm looking forward to making some sundresses for my grandduaghters this summer tho.....my old sewing machine keeps putting along so at least I can still that!! Some parts of getting old sucks!

 

[hencackle]

I don't believe there's anything that speckledhen or MissPrissy can't do. They do it ALL, don't they?

That's such a beautiful quilt, speckled, that lavender-blue color in the quilt practically matches my bedroom wall.

I don't know how to quilt either. If I were to try to teach myself, I don't believe that I would undertake anything more ambitious than a potholder or placemat--it just looks so hard. When I look at a great quilt, I see that there's more to it than just the stitching--it's about selecting the right colors, choosing the right fabric print, etc...it just overwhelms me.

I knit, used to do thread crochet when I was younger. I'm thinking of knitting some premie baby things to donate.

 

[speckledhen]

Thank you for the compliments. I took one beginning quilting class way back when at the night classes at the high school, then I bought a bunch of books, mostly for inspiration. I just hand piece everything and hand quilt everything. I have several finished projects just sitting in a box that I had planned to sell, but never tried. One was a little crib quilt that I gave to Kate (helmstead) when she had her baby boy awhile back so she can comment on however good or bad my quilting stitches used to be. With carpal tunnel/tingling fingers and terrible eyes, it's much more of a chore than I'd like it to be now. That pink/lavender/gray quilt I posted started at the center medallion and I just created as I went outward, no special plan. I call it "Deep Purple Dream"-do you remember that song from the 60's?

 

[MissPrissy]

A pot holder or a placemat is a perfect way to start if you really have an interest in quilting.

Here is a photo of the one I am working on now, just a few hours more and it will be finished. It is king sized for our bed.

I am partial to home spun looks in fabrics. I love muted reds and browns in the darker shades.

 

[Pelican49]

My sister has been quilting for many years, but she lives 1,000 miles away. I've always told her that once I retire (working 12 hour midnight shifts is not conducive to hobbies) I want to learn, then I got laid off. That'll teach me.

So, for Christmas this year my sister sent me a "starter kit". It includes a BIG Olfa cutting mat, rotary cutter & extra blades, a 6 x 24 acrylic ruler with all the angles and such marked, a book called "Start Quilting with Alex Anderson", and a starters program she taped off TV.

She really wants me to try this apparently. Great gift.

This is another of those things that will be put off until I get moved. And, my daughter told me last week there's a quilting club in her little town that I'll be moving to, so I just may join. She said, "But the quilting club is mostly older women". What does she think I am?

 

[speckledhen]

Very homey-looking, Miss Prissy! I've tried several styles, some like yours, some more modern, etc. I've custom made things specifically for people, like a wallhanging and matching pillow featuring fish for my inlaws who liked to fish, then had them put them in a trunk so I wont ever do that again. Takes too much time and thought and now, pain, for them not to be appreciated in the least. Did the Night CityScape one below for my son and daughter in law, which I thought had a more contemporary look, but of course, it haven't seen it since they got it. Oh, no, I'm not bitter, LOL. I do think the art of quilting by hand is being lost-thank you Walmart for the cheap, ugly, Chinese quilts that will fall apart if you wash them!

 

[MissPrissy]

Those are great, Cyn! You have a nice eye for color! I want to do an around the world pattern all in flannel. With 100% cotton batting that will be one warm quilt!

I have a carpal tunnel problem, too. I had surgery for it on my left hand but I am a right hander and need it on that hand as well. I can work for a while then I have to put it down, wear my hand braces and then come back to it. After several hours of working I can really feel it the next day.

 

[Wildsky]

Amazing stuff guys!!! Really lovely!

I have the cutiest little wall hanging up in our stairway... my husbands aunt made it for us as a wedding gift - it has a little boy and girl looking at each other with our names and the date we got married - with gold stitching - its really pretty.

 

[Patchofheaven]

I started quilting about 2 years ago. My Grandmother (91 years old) discovered that I had been sewing our curtains and cross stitching projects and wanted me go through her things and see if there was anything that I wanted. She has been making crafts, quilts, knitting, just about anything you can make your hands forever. She had boxes of fabrics, books and supplies that she made me take home. The first book I read was "Teach yourself to Quilt," then I found another one that was a 12 square Sampler Quilt. I had so much fun making that quilt, 3 months of blood, sweat and tears then I gave it to my Grandmother for Christmas last year. She cried and said thought that my quilt was the most beautiful quilt she had ever seen. She also said that out of all of her children and grandchildren, that I was the only one that shared her interests. I'm crying typing this now, she means the world to me.

Well, that's how I got started. I've made 2 baby quilts and a few other small items since the first, but I have yet to keep any of the quilts myself. My dh says the next one is going on our King size bed - I'm not sure if I'm ready for a King Size quilt project.

 

[sara]

I think the suggestion of a nine patch is a good one for a first quilt. All squares, so much less difficult to match things up.

I like to hand quilt. I don't particulary like putting them together, but I find quilting to be relaxing. It forces me to sit still. Usually I am a very on the go person, so some quiet time is good!

Here are a couple pictures I could find on the computer, the first is a little baby quilt, second a watermelon log cabin( I had this one machine quilted), and the last one is the project I am going to start hand quilting soon.