Congratulations to Joey Ritenour. You're the winner of the Holiday Medley scrap bundle. We'll stick a Twinkly Stars pattern in, too, so you won't need to bother sending an envelope. Enjoy!
Lois and I are busily stitching on the last few projects for the new book, Loose Change, due out in Aug/Sept. In addition to our popular Five & Dime quilt, we've added over a dozen other projects that are easily done in a weekend or less. Everything needs to be stitched, quilted, bound and photographed by the first of July, then patterns written and edited and the book put together to make it to the printer on time. It's been challenging, but loads of fun to figure out all the different ways to slice, stitch and rearrange Layer Cake, charm and mini charm squares for fast and fun quilts.
We all have those requests from friends and relatives to make a quilt for a graduation, birthday, wedding, grankids, etc. But we also know not everyone is quilt worthy :). Meaning, why hand applique or hand quilt a quilt that will be used and abused, but also loved for every stitch. Just because you start with precuts and raw edge stitching doesn't mean the quilt isn't wonderful. It's the perfect way to introduce someone to our world of quilts and how to take care of them without worrying they might undo many hours of your time. In fact, my kids and grankids love the dimension and primitive nature of my quilts. They claim they're not afraid to use them instead of putting them away in a plastic bag (egads!) in the closet. I made a more intricate quilt for my parents' 40th wedding anniversary. It's still in the linen closet where Mom is "saving it for good". She's 78 for heaven's sake! Better get it out and throw it on the bed now! Every other quilt I've given her is out and being used and enjoyed because they're raw edge "everyday" quilts. Geez, Mom! Anyway, my point is, I prefer to make "hairloom" quilts instead of heirlooms. Those you're not afraid to let the grankids use to make a fort or sleep on the porch with the dog. Those that are part of family memories and not a faint memory because they're saved in a closet somewhere. So, we'll be talking about the book alot between now and August. Don't be surprised if there's a big giveaway later this summer. Keep watching!
Lois and I are busily stitching on the last few projects for the new book, Loose Change, due out in Aug/Sept. In addition to our popular Five & Dime quilt, we've added over a dozen other projects that are easily done in a weekend or less. Everything needs to be stitched, quilted, bound and photographed by the first of July, then patterns written and edited and the book put together to make it to the printer on time. It's been challenging, but loads of fun to figure out all the different ways to slice, stitch and rearrange Layer Cake, charm and mini charm squares for fast and fun quilts.
We all have those requests from friends and relatives to make a quilt for a graduation, birthday, wedding, grankids, etc. But we also know not everyone is quilt worthy :). Meaning, why hand applique or hand quilt a quilt that will be used and abused, but also loved for every stitch. Just because you start with precuts and raw edge stitching doesn't mean the quilt isn't wonderful. It's the perfect way to introduce someone to our world of quilts and how to take care of them without worrying they might undo many hours of your time. In fact, my kids and grankids love the dimension and primitive nature of my quilts. They claim they're not afraid to use them instead of putting them away in a plastic bag (egads!) in the closet. I made a more intricate quilt for my parents' 40th wedding anniversary. It's still in the linen closet where Mom is "saving it for good". She's 78 for heaven's sake! Better get it out and throw it on the bed now! Every other quilt I've given her is out and being used and enjoyed because they're raw edge "everyday" quilts. Geez, Mom! Anyway, my point is, I prefer to make "hairloom" quilts instead of heirlooms. Those you're not afraid to let the grankids use to make a fort or sleep on the porch with the dog. Those that are part of family memories and not a faint memory because they're saved in a closet somewhere. So, we'll be talking about the book alot between now and August. Don't be surprised if there's a big giveaway later this summer. Keep watching!
I never understood making quilts to put in a closet, I love to use mine and make them, to be used. I usually hand appliqué mine, but I expect them to be used;)
ReplyDeleteDebbie
I've made several quilts for relatives that I have never seen in their homes. Of course I am not a great quilter, but it sure makes me think twice before taking all the time and money to make a quilt for someone. I've found the people who use and appreciate them the most are the ones I've made for charity, or the girls at church expecting their first baby. Yes we want them to be used and loved.
ReplyDeleteI adore the very first quilt!! I think I am a fan of layer cakes & charm packs as I have recently been working with them.
ReplyDeleteYour fabrics are just perfect. I have my Buggy Barn house quilt on my bed now as it is turning cooler here in NZ, it just works so beautifully in your fabrics.
Geez Mum!! :-) I have a friend that has done the same to a quilt I gave her, she wants it not to fade or get marked, for goodness sake use it already!!! I can always make another ! :-) My mother is the same with a beautiful tea set, she is now in a rest home & the tea set is in storage!
I have a small quilt stand that holds three quilts. The ones that hang there are lap quilts that we grab and use while on the couch. When more than two people come over hubby grabs his quilt and puts it in the cubbard. I asked why. He said its mine and I wont share it. Ok. I like to use my quilts, I spent enough time on them. I want to see them living where they were intended.
ReplyDeleteA thought..
You could sneak over to your moms and put the quilt on her bed. She might like it there and leave it for awhile.
I'll be looking for your new book. I really like the first quilt you show above - it's really neat. Great to have the quilts out and about for everyone to see and use but my Mom was the same - she always had things she never used - just saved for good?
ReplyDeleteHave a great day.
can't wait for the book!
ReplyDeletebjeanander@gmail.com
If quilts like those are going to be in the book then I am really eager for it to be published. Just scrummy.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more, quilts are made to be used and loved. Without them I wouldn't have such fond memories of laying under quilts or wrapping up in one when I was a child at my grandmothers. I still have one of them and it shows the "damage" of many years of love but that adds to the charm.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to the book and making some quilts that will be used! thanks!
ReplyDeleteI just don't get why people won't use a quilt. It does no one any good in a closet. If it's "too good to use" it belongs in a museum not a house. I am personally insulted when someone doesn't use a quilt I've made for them and would rather they regift it to someone who will use it. What is really sad is when you make a quilt for a child and the parent "saves" it for them. NO NO NO! The quilt is for the child to make memories with and bring them comfort. How do we get people to understand this?
ReplyDeleteI'm making a couple quilts for our son and his comment was Mom, I'm not going to use them because you made them for me. I've also made several baby quilts and have been told that they're too nice to use, they are being saved for when the child grows up. Makes no sense to me why people won't use the quilts!!
ReplyDeleteEarlier this year my niece brought the baby wrapped in a soft, sweet smelling, cuddly baby quilt. My mother had a big smile on her face. She saw her youngest great granddaughter wrapped in a well used baby quilt she had made for that babe's older sister. Quilts are for using.
ReplyDeleteYour market pictures are awesome. Wonder how far that red glider will eventually travel? Thanks for al the inspiring work you do.
ReplyDeleteI always think of Erma Bombeck's advice to not save things for the future - use them now. I made my mom a special quilt because she had kidney disease and was always cold - she kept it over the back of the sofa so she could look at it from her chair. So I made her a "utility" quilt-just 9 patches- that she used. I kept it plain and simple, and was pleased she used it.
ReplyDeleteI, too, make quilts to be loved and snuggled with!
ReplyDeleteKansasLeslie