My Quilting Story
Quilting is one of my passions, and I thought I would share my quilting story. When I was a young girl, my maternal grandmother taught me how to make quilts during the summer in the 60s. It was an activity we could do together and I cherish the memories and lessons it gave me.
At that time, you would make homemade patterns out of cardboard paper like cereal boxes. You’d pin the patterns to your fabric and cut around it.
My mother enjoyed sewing too. She would sew clothes for my sister and I, and make dresses for our dolls. My mother and grandmother passed down their enjoyment for sewing to me.
This is how we cut fabrics in the old days.
When I was in high school, and for years after, I would make my own clothes. I enjoyed picking out fabrics and clothes patterns to customize my wardrobe. However these days, I buy them.
When my daughters were little, I would make dresses for special events such as weddings. My oldest daughter still rolls her eyes at the one year they had matching dresses and haircuts.
I didn’t sew for many years with work, children, and grandchildren keeping me busy. After I retired from my job, I checked out my local county community center for activities that may peak my interest. The May Community Center, in Huffman TX, had a quilting class and was going to make a t-shirt quilt the next month. I thought that was a neat idea! So, I joined their quilting group.
They didn’t use cardboard paper or scissors like I did as a kid. They used rotary cutters, rulers, and mats. I had a great teacher, Anne, who was patient with me learning how to properly use the rotary cutters and rulers. Everyone else in the class was a pro. (Note: always watch your fingers while using the rotary cutter! I recently cut my finger and had to visit the ER).
We would start different quilting projects every two months, while learning new techniques and sharing tips each week. Us ladies set up our sewing machines and work stations in a big room with tables facing each other. We would talk and laugh, sometimes more than we sewed. Our conversations were about everything from A – Z. I attended the quilting classes for about 15 years, and created quite a friendship with these women. I remain in regular contact with some of them although I moved away from Huffman a few years ago.
This is the t-shirt quilt where I leaned how to use rulers, rotary cutters and a cutting mat. I bought these t-shirts from Good Will.
If you have interest in beginning to sew, I would suggest first learning how to use a rotary cutter, rulers, and cutting mats. 5 Cutting Hacks for Quilters There are many instructional videos on YouTube to help you. Also, I would recommend buying a large mat and a large cutter initially. After some experience, you can buy a smaller mat that turns and a small rotary cutter for clipping blocks.
Here are a few of my rulers, rotary cutters and mats that I use regularly.
Here are some of my extra rulers. Hexagon ruler, to make potholders. An easy project. Scrap Crazy ruler, Hearts and More ruler, used to make heart, flower, oval and etc. Circle Cut ruler used to make different size circles. Double Diamond ruler make diamond strips. Triangle Trimmer rulers, trims squares, Binding Tool ruler, helps with the binding on a quilt. There are so many rulers you can buy.
Before you invest in a sewing machine, ask someone to borrow theirs so you can try it out. Later on you can buy a Brothers sewing machine from $100 and up. I have a Baby Lock sewing and embroidery machine which is related brand. The Baby Lock models have more advanced sewing features. I have friends with different machines. It’s all about preference.
I would start with a small project like a Self-Binding Baby Blanket . I made one last week, but I didn’t measure it right! LOL. I forgot to add the 3 inches to the sides. I finished it anyway and now it’s a tiny baby quilt.
You can find free online projects like Projects To Make In Under 10 Minutes and Half-Square Triangle Table Runners. My Girlfriend’s Online Classes offers classes for a reasonable price. Sewing & fabric stores have classes for a fee also.
You can buy pre-cut fabric and fabric quilt kits to make it easier.
I have an Accuquilt cutter but I don’t use it often. Many other quilters do.
When you sew quilts or other projects, you will make mistakes. However it’s about learning from them and still enjoying to sew. The thought and love put into a project counts.
This is my closet. This is only some of my sewing supplies.
This is my “Gold Mine.” I hear the heavenly choir of quilters singing when I open this container.
They are varying sizes of pre-cut fabrics. Most of it is from “Lost my Mind” shopping.
This is one of my “Lost My Mind” moments. I saw this project and had to make it. That was about 3 years ago.
This is an estimated cost breakdown for making a quilt.
When I make a quilt for myself, the cost is about $400 because I don’t charge myself for the labor.
This past year, I enrolled in Beyond Basics – Monthly Block Class for 12 months and an Advanced Extra Blocks Class for 9 months. In the class, we get a new block to work on before the next class. Each block is a different technique. Ultimately, we will combine all the quilt blocks to make a quilt top. After that, I will have all the layers quilted.
The first layer is called the quilt top, the collection of all the blocks. The middle layer is the batting and the bottom layer is the solid back fabric. I will share the finished quilt photos in a few months.
This is one of the blocks of my “Beyond Basics” class. Block size is 12.5 x 12.5
This is one of the blocks of my “Advanced Extra” class. Block size is 24.5 x 24.5
Quilting is an expensive hobby. (Ask my husband.) If you are like me, I once thought I needed every fabric, pattern, ruler, and tool I found. Over the years, I have gotten better about what I buy. However, I will not live long enough to use everything I have now. I told my kids when I pass “Please donate all my sewing things to a church quilting group.” They make quilts to pass out to people in hospitals. I had containers with scraps from other projects. I realized I’m never going to use them. So, I donated them to Magpies and Peacocks, a nonprofit organization.
Last words:
Some people enjoy embroidery only. Pickle Pie Designs has some cute projects.
The largest quilting show is the International Quilt Festival/Houston. It is a must, if only to view some beautiful quilts. We make it a girl’s trip annually. However, be cautious. You can lo$e your mind.
Here’s a place on my bucket list to visit: Texas Quilt Museum.