Worldwide Quilting Day….(And a Giveaway!)

teri • March 13, 2014 • 90 Comments

Well, hello Q-bies! Greetings and salutations from your newest associate editor!

Teri Lucas

Who knew a simple “I wish” comment on a post written by Jake Finch would lead to the privilege of working with Generation Q Magazine? Whoa, Nelly! Somebody pinch me. No, not really. But seriously! Please do not wake me up if this is all a dream. Being quite skilled at maintaining the behind-the-scenes kinds of things, that’s exactly what I’ll be doing for the magazine:  Some blogging, maintaining the quilt show calendar, technical editing, blog tours, challenges and the like.

Soooo, did you know Saturday is Worldwide Quilting Day? In some respects, this has all the significance and cultural impact of, say, National Hot Dog Day. But those of us who love to fondle fabric take it a bit more seriously. Our friends from the FabShopNet celebrate Worldwide Quilting Day in a big way! We’re celebrating, too, and we’re bringing you in on the par-tay. At the end of this post, you’ll have an opportunity to win a super-fun prize from the creative, twisted minds at Quilt Dots, those fun, feisty, quilty magnets that turn into jewelry!
Back to the holiday, though. Here’s a little background on this day of cloth observance, which is kinda connected to National Quilting Day, as organized by the National Quilting Association (NQA).  According to the NQA website, here’s the scoop: In 1989, the Kentucky Heritage Quilt Society organized a “Quilters’ Day Out” on the third Saturday of March to celebrate the rich tradition of quiltmaking in Kentucky. In 1991, the NQA officers were so enthused with the concept and success of “Quilters’Day Out” that they voted to take it to a national level.

Well, you know how these things go. Others have blown it to global proportions and changed the name. Whatever. It’s all about celebrating our q-fetish (and we’re always up for a party at GenQ anyway). So, how do you celebrate quilting? Do you spend the day with your peeps making quilts for charity? Do you do a “what was I thinking” stash clear-out?  Do you attend a quilt show? Try something new and crazy? Participate in a challenge? Reflect on how you got started in this madness?

Fake-out example of Teri's first quilt

In the spirit of things, Melissa asked me to share a photo of my first quilt. (Don’t tell her, I couldn’t find it.) Do any of you remember when pictures were taken with real  film? And we took them to just the right place to get developed (and were so happy when one-hour photo places opened up)?

Well, that’s how my first quilt now exists. As an actual  picture, in a box with thousands of picture-friends. Thousands of friends. Soooo many I couldn’t find the actual picture. But thanks to the magic of technology, I created something similar in EQ 6. (See illustration.)

Being a rookie quilter, some of the fabrics were, um, not truly meant for quilting. That lightweight poly/cotton batiste provided entertainment of the worst kind later on. As I handquilted, the polyester batting popped up through the batiste with the needle and thread. The entertainment: sliding the batting back down in between the layers. It didn’t help that I’d totally wear out a needle before using a new one! Oh, the things we learn!

 

 

now, how about that giveaway?

Leave us a comment here telling us what you learned from your first quilt. Or tell us what you’ll be doing to celebrate Worldwide Quilting Day. And we’ll pick TWO random winners. One will receive a $50 gift certificate that for  any of the great fun stuff at Quilt Dots. The second winner will receive a set of Bitchy Stitcher magnets PLUS a necklace base  from Quilt Dots. (NOTE: These very cool licensed designs style the vibes of Megan Dougherty, The Bitchy Stitcher, author of our very own Unravelled column and the new quilting humor book, Quilting IsN’T Funny. If you don’t have a copy of Megan’s new book, we can help you with that.

And while you’re hanging out online, check out Quilt Dots anyway; we hear they have some giveaway madness going on there, too.

 

Let’s review: One set of Bitchy Stitcher Quilt Dots and a necklace base or ONE $50 gift certificate . Winners chosen randomly from comments on this blog post. (Facebook doesn’t count.) Winners announced March 21. Any questions? Let the party commence!

 

 

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90 Comments

  • Leah B • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #1

    My first quilt was a Yellow Brick Road, and I learned that I should pick the correct number of different fat quarters. I used a couple duplicates and they sort of take over the quilt. Of course, the fabric had wine bottles on it so it showed my favorite thing! I would love to say I will be spending all day quilting and fondling fabric, but my son has his Cub Scout Pinewood Derby race Saturday and I am his leader. I will be spending the day watching little wooden cars race down a track, and I will cheer like I’m watching Nascar. Have fun sewing everyone!
    Leah B.

  • linda schiffer • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #2

    I pieced my first quilt more than 30 years ago as a raffle quilt for my daughter’s co-op nursery school. What I learned making it was – I don’t care for harsh contrasts in value. The quilt was pieced crayons and they were supposed to be on a black background … but I chose med/dark gray because I liked the way it looked better. 🙂 Also I learned that you really need to plan the design you get when mitering borders – the bits of pieced crayons I ended up with could have (ahem!) been more even. 🙂

    Linda

  • Bralia • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #3

    I will be hanging out at Hip Stich and teaching a Jelly Roll Race Quilt class in the evening.

  • Joanie Dorsey • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #4

    Congrats Teri! What did I learn from my 1st quilt? So many things! Most important is to have consistent 1/4″ seam allowances. I didn’t have a big enough rotary cutting mat. I needed more safety pins. Buy a little extra fabric for the “opps” moments. That was 10 years ago. My fabric stash is out of control. I love quilting!

  • Kathy Nester • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #5

    I learned the importance of accurate cutting and seams from my first quilt!

  • Lori • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #6

    My first quilt…wow, that was a long time ago…more than forty years. But I do remember that I learned a lot. I learned to chain piece. I learned that polyester-cotton blends are, um, icky. I learned that dye colors change over time (who knew that that printed denim look-alike that was a lovely blue in its day would go purple?). I learned that polyester batting was phoofy, which at the time was A-OK with me. And, best of all, I learned that I wanted to make another quilt. And another, and another. And I have.

  • Chris • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #7

    I’ll be celebrating worldwide quilting day by going to a quilt show

  • Susan sato • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #8

    Never to use rayon & u should always use a. 1/4″ seam allowance

  • Laurie tigner • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #9

    Oh, my! You did FABULOUS on your first post!!!!!! Excuse me, boss person….whoever you are….my friend Teri deserves a raise, already!!!!!

  • Marcy • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #10

    With my first quilt, I learned that sheets are more durable than quilting fabrics. I’ve repaired the top so many times, but the back wears like those knee patches from long ago.

  • Nancy Elkin • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #11

    I learned the importance of using good fabric from my first quilt. I plan to spend national Quilting Day quilting on the longarm and piecing a new quilt, both with friends !

  • Shar F • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #12

    I’m having my first grandbaby and we pulled out the first quilt I ever made which was for my daughter. I was so embarrassed. There was no more batting. Or should I say the batting had moved to the seams. There was very little quilting. The corner were nice and rounded. I have really improved.

  • Janet-Lee Santeusanio • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #13

    First quilt, … and what did I learn…. huh? Well, the reality is that I learned all about addiction. Not having an addictive personality, I can’t say that I ever remember being truly obsessed about anything. That is until April of 1995 when I took a quilting class. It was a Quilt-in-a-Day, all day class and I was hooked. Having never looked back for a single nanosecond, I know I am where I belong. So, if I am addicted to quilting, that’s probably OKAY!

  • Nicole H. • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #14

    On my first quilt I cut all my pieces and then realized that I cut the FINISHED size, not finished+SA. That made for some really freakin’ tiny squares. And I wanted to be sure they wouldn’t come apart, so I serged all the squares together. Sigh. I know so much more now thankfully!

  • Nicole Jenkins • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #15

    I learned to be patient. I got so excited at the idea of making a quilt, that I stitched that baby up in a day… When I had never sewn anything to completion before, and at that rate, nothing much more that a pillow cover or a pajama pant project in high school . Everything came out uneven, it looked goofy as all get out!!! My niece (gotta love her) still has it 7 years later 🙂

  • Linda Gray • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #16

    It’s been so long ago that I made my first quilt I really don’t remember…I just remember that I’ve always loved quilts..I like to see how they were put together..for example: what size of block and where and how it was formed. Being a seamstress/tailor I like the mechanics of making a pattern/style work. I love making patterns of any kind. I’ve always sewn and always will…..and I think I’m going to have to subscribe to this magazine! Thanks!

  • nadine • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #17

    i will be attending a quito show tomorrow! yay for quilting!!

  • mandy applebee • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #18

    Welcome to GenQ Teri, I am certain you will fit right in to the fun! My celebration on Saturday will hopefully include some piecing after a morning of work 🙁

  • Barbara Campbell • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #19

    Congrats on your new position! Looking forward to seeing your upcoming issues.

  • Carolyn Tusinski • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #20

    4-patch baby quilt. I thought I had it down. Took my first top to the local fabric shop for backing and ideas on how to quilt it (on my Pfaff). Nice lady gently suggested I close up the holes in the seams. Oh, those? Apparently consistent seam allowances are a plus. Who knew? And I hadn’t even heard the term, ‘you can quilt it out.’ That was sometime in 2003. Wow, time flies!!

  • Diana Summers • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #21

    Happy to see you aboard Gen-Q Teri! You are always such a font of information! I had no idea that Quilter’s Day Out started here in KY!

    My 1st quilt taught me that I do NOT like hand quilting AT ALL! 6 months later that king size quilt had simple Xs in each square that look rather like sashiko – even though I’d never heard of it! Anyhow -that’s what I am calling those giant stitches 🙂

  • Kathy Beiter • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #22

    My first quilt was an Irish Chain. I learned so much from taking that class at my LQS! Everything from measuring and cutting fabric, to pinning for accuracy, to sewing on the binding. It was awesome. Thanks for the chance to win!

  • Dana • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #23

    Oh I learned to use safety pins instead of straight pins for basting. No joke. I was young.

  • Doreen Diehl • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #24

    My first quilt was a t-shirt quilt that I made for my son’s 30th birthday. I’d saved t-shirts he’d worn between ages of 5 and 20 that earmarked various interests and milestones in his life–trips, family reunions, cartoon characters, toys, soccer, concerts, etc. The shirts varied tremendously in size and color, so it took quite a while to figure out a suitable pattern, but the smile and tears that he shed as he spread open the quilt and examined the various emblems made it all worthwhile! I intend to spend Saturday fondling the fabrics in my stash, figuring out my next project and becoming friends with my beautiful new Bernina. Glad to know that it’s Worldwide Quilting Day, as it validates my decision for how I will spend the day!

  • Janie • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #25

    Use smaller stitches! Thanks for the giveaway!

  • Dot • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #26

    My first quilting project was a block for a pillow top, and I learned that I don’t need to finish everything I start! It’s nearly 40 years old, all pieced and hand quilted, but with its cord piping still pinned around the edge, waiting to be sewn.

    • kiblu • 10 years ago
      COMMENT #

      I still have an unfinished quilt as well. I used a quilt frame to hand quilt and could not reach the edges. I have the edges to finish as well as the piping. This was my first (and only) attempt at hand quilting!

  • JOY • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #27

    For National Quilting Day, I’ll be sewing up a storm at a guild Sew-In 🙂 I’ve already got my bag packed and machine by the door!

  • Charlotte L • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #28

    Hopefully I will find myself quilting in the quiet morning hours if my kids will sleep in 🙂 fingers crossed Thanks

  • Barbara W • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #29

    My first quilt was a log cabin – I was nervous to even take the class because my first sewing teacher had been a big believer in perfection and I had (tearfully) unsewn many “bad” seams… and had vowed never to sew again. I learned a lot in the class but the most important lesson was that you can work with “mistakes” and that this is FUN!! Happy Quilting Day!

  • Lonormi Manuel • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #30

    That patience pays off, and my seam ripper is my friend!!

  • Kristin Hoog • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #31

    From My first quilt I learned that babies do not wait for you to finish the quilt before they arrive.

  • suzanne G • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #32

    This year I won’t be quilting 🙁 during the day, but hiking!!! Usually I quilt with my guild friends making charity quilts all day with a salad pot luck…it’s great. With any luck I’ll work on a quilt project in the evening.

  • JulieCC • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #33

    Well, my first quilt top still is a WIP. But from it I learned that machine quilting on a normal machine without a walking foot is nearly impossible. Then add that when you have an 80s-vintage machine, getting a walking foot to fit it is nearly impossible (even one made by the same manufacturer). I then learned hand quilting and stitching on binding is horrible on arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome.

    My first finished quilt was a rag quilt and I found they are very, very forgiving. With electric scissors, the snipping isn’t so bad on the old hands.

  • quiltzyx/sue • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #34

    Hmmm. The first quilt (that I finished) taught me that I needed to relax and not be so anal about getting all those darned points to match – that were on the BACK of the quilt!

  • bee • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #35

    for Nat’l Quilt Day I’ll be at work (the National Quilt Museum), helping people make a mini quilted pillow to celebrate!

  • Sue Moore • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #36

    What did I learn…..my love for quilting & stick to 100% cotton!! 🙂

  • Bonny • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #37

    My 1st quilt was for my daughter going away to college – I think it was the same pattern you used! It was only a small patch quilt – didn’t even cover her up – but she loved it the same and (drum roll please) she is a quilter too! She is teaching her 6 year old to quilt – right now she is designing and Mom is sewing.
    I think I will spend National Quilt Day – petting some of my favorite fabrics 🙂
    Thanks for the chance to win some very cool prizes!
    I love your magazine!

  • Terri H • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #38

    I learned that I LOVED quilting. Thanks for the chance to win.

  • AMY C • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #39

    Man – my first quilt sucked! I was too afraid to ‘ruin it’ with any quilting so I tied it – well, sewed a button at each join as it was a quilt made from men’s shirts. the buttons were from the shirts I used. From that I learned that quilting certainly helps a quilt hold itself together, make it look better, add interest and texture…. the list goes on!

  • Gloria Smith • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #40

    One of my friends a work was taking a quilting class – so she shared what she learned with me. I learned how to piece by hand and quilt by hand. I’m so thankful for my trusty Bernina today!!! I plan to spend National Quilting Day in my sewing room working on what – I’m not sure yet. So many options!

  • patty • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #41

    I made my first quilt many years ago. It was flannel and I made up the pattern as I went. Basically it was a 4 patch with sashing. I gave it to my god-son and he used it till it fell apart. Now he his wife are expecting their first baby and I made a quilt for them. I’ve learned a lot since I started.
    paweis at yahoo dot com

  • cindy oneal • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #42

    My first quilt was a log cabin, made before rotary cutters. Although I cut straight and square pieces it ended up anything but straight and square. Compound errors! I did manage to make it a usable quilt and it became well worn before ending up in the rag bag. Wish I had kept it just to remind me how far I have come. C

  • cindy oneal • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #43

    My first quilt was a log cabin made before rotary cutters. Although I cut the pieces straight and square it ended up anything but. Compound errors! I did manage to make it into a usable quilt and after much wear it ended up in the rag bag. Wish I had kept it to remind me how far I’ve come. One of my favorite styles currently is wonky. Who knew I was ahead of the fad? C

  • Betty Jo Tatum • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #44

    Congratulations on the new blog. I plan on spending Quilting Day quilting, of course. My first quilt was a tied quilt I made over thirty years ago for one of my sons when he was born. Then I didn’t make another one until 2005 or thereabouts, and I keep it so I can see how much I’ve learned since then. I have four quilts going right now. I may decide to quilt the simple little church quilt I am making tomorrow or more on a deep space quilt I call “Sky Horse”…or maybe both! Happy Quilting Day everyone.

  • Ellen M. • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #45

    I just finished my first quilt top (and hopefully will quilt it in the near future). What I’ve learned is that it is not going to be perfect, and that it okay. The more you do, the better your skills will become, but you have to start somewhere! Thanks for a fun giveaway!

  • kiblu • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #46

    From my first quilt I learned NOT to use polyester batting — difficult to work with and not as warm as cotton batting.

  • Giovanna Mantovani • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #47

    Yay Teri! Congrats on your first blog! If memory serves (and it probably doesn’t) my first quilt was a baby quilt made as a gift for a friend. It took a few years to really get bit by the quilting bug. Early lessons in quilting included the importance of accurate measuring and cutting, press–don’t iron and there’s no such thing as too much fabric!

  • Lisa • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #48

    My first quilt was a flying geese-type affair with a muslin background and a pale blue print for the triangles. I still have it! It was made using cut out templates (with scissors!). I even hand-quilted it. That was about 1985. Needless to say I didn’t get back into quilting until rotary cutters came along! And I no longer hand-quilt (don’t love it) but I have a longarm and I’m quite happy indeed!

  • Katosew • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #49

    Congrats on the first post, Teri! My first quilt was a crazy quilt I did in college. I used every fabric that I had ever made things out of–from Indian bedspreads to aprons to double knits and I hand sewed them on to heavyweight muslin and sashed in corduroy. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. Never finished, big enough to cover a car. Weighs a ton. It’s around here somewhere – maybe in the garage.

  • Evelyn • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #50

    My first quilt taught me not to rip my strips and not to use cotton/poly fabric.

  • Maggie Szafranski • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #51

    I am at retreat sewing and quilting with 40 of some of my best quilting friends, my guild sisters!

  • Linda H. • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #52

    I began my first quilt in 1976, piecing with leftover fabrics from sewing baby clothes, curtains, pillows and such. It is hand-pieced and is being hand-quilted. All the quilt center is quilted; only borders need to be quilted. Nope. It probably won’t ever be finished, but I can’t part with it for all the memories it holds. I’ve made several hundred quilts since then. What I really appreciate is the invention of rotary tools, and the expediency of now being able to start and finish a quilt, all on the sewing machine. So glad times have changed! Thanks for the chance to win your giveaway.

  • Michele T • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #53

    I am handquilting a quilt for my neighbor who is turning 80 in April… But shhhhhhh, it is a surprise!! Thanks for celebrating this special day with a giveaway!!!!

  • Tabitha K. • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #54

    I learned to check to see that my seams are ALL sewn together. I found several seams fell apart when I washed it, it was awful. Thanks for the giveaway!

    tdkcarpenoctem@hotmail.com

  • Kira • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #55

    From my first quilt, I learned how expensive fabric, laying out a quilt takes a lot of space, precise edges are a must, and quilting is not a fast process.

  • Christina • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #56

    My first quilt was a queen size and it took me forever to finish it because I kept putting it away. I learned that it is all worth it once finished! My friends were right!

  • Pam McDonald • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #57

    My first quilt was with the help of my Mom. I got this grandiose idea of taking a white sheet, using Aunt Martha’s iron on applique of all kinds of flowers, or maybe they were State flowers, it has been awhile! Anyway, my dad made us a quilt rack out of two by twos so we could stretch it out and sit at the thing and embroider all those flowers. I think that is why I shy away from doing any embroidery now.

    I had that quilt a loooong time until the sheet fabric started wearing out and it began ripping. I think it got tossed to the trash after awhile. But it was beautiful at the time!

  • Cynthia Armstrong • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #58

    Welcome, Teri!
    My first quilt was a 4 block lap quilt, completely by hand. I loved it, but more importantly, loved quilting! I was dragged to a class by a friend that wanted to learn and found myself completely obsessed! Here I am 26 years later and still just love the process and the creativity one gets to show!

    Celebrating by finishing a fabulous new quilt top and a most interesting backing!
    Cynthia A.

  • Barbara Campbell • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #59

    Headed home from the AQS show in Lancaster on National Quilt Day and downloaded all the photos I took of the fabulous quilts at the show.

  • leanne • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #60

    happy worldwide quilting day ! Of course, I’m celebrating by quilting today – I’m making a couple of blocks (quilty fun sewalong), I’m also sewing a few blocks for my spinning stars quilt and hopefully I’m going to get a mini quilt top done today too ! As I said quilting and not much else – have a great day too and thanks for the giveaway 🙂

  • Mina • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #61

    Its been awhile since my first quilt, but I think what I learned was not to play it safe. My quilt was a 9 patch in various pastel blues and white – kinda boring.

    I’m celebrating today with finishing binding on a quilt and then pulling fabrics for new charity quilts!

  • Sandy Cooper • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #62

    I attended my first quilt show and was immediately bitten by the bug! I decided to take a class and the instructor insisted that we make our first quilt by hand, both stitching and quilting! Nevertheless, although the three and a half blocks that I finished are still sitting in a box, I have gone on to continue being passionate about quilting for 25 years.

  • Nicola • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #63

    I’ve only made two quilts really – I’m a newbie! I learnt though that I must go with my gut and not stress too much about it. Yes, there might be some small mistakes but I’m probably the only person who will notice them and everyone else is just super impressed I made something (Sometimes I think they are just as impressed with a small bag as a bed quilt!) 🙂

  • CindyM • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #64

    My first quilt was made for my daughter before she was born. I made it out of leftovers from maternity clothes I had made on my treadle machine. It was pink and blue with embroider animals on each square. She still has the quilt 35 years later. It has held up very well. I hope all these quilts I am making now hold up as well as that little baby quilt.

    • CindyM • 10 years ago
      COMMENT #

      Oh and what I learned is; treadle machines sew great and I wish I still had one.

  • Barb • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #65

    I just found this site and am so excited. I’m a long time needle turn appliquer and am about to embark on a new adventure into modern applique. Yippee! so happy to find you.

  • Barb • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #66

    I just found this site and am so excited. I’m a long time needle turn appliquer and am about to embark on a new adventure into modern applique. Yippee! so happy to find you. I can remember learning I don’t like to piece and I can’t sew a straight line without drawing it first. I spent National Quilting day at my local guild’s quilt show! Oh, happy day.

  • Julie • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #67

    I made my first quilt over 30 years ago. I happily used any fabrics I was drawn to, smashed them together and
    gave the quilt as a wedding gift! I learn something new everyday and enjoy the creativity and process!

  • Michelle Banton • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #68

    Welcome to GenQ, Teri! First three or four quilts were blue and pink flannel checkerboard with a blue/pink/yellow calico backing and border – my own “design” – ha! as if there was any designing at all. Made in 1980 because my peer group friends were all having babies and I couldn’t afford “real” gifts. They were tied with embroidery floss….and probably had 5/8″ seams because all I had made before were garments. I still have one that I made for my eldest son who turns 33 in a couple days. I learned that these simple quilts WERE actually “real” gifts afterall. I spent National Quilting Day enjoying all the beautiful quilts and vendors at the AQS Show in Lancaster, PA.

  • Trish Frankland • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #69

    Bindings are hard. (Even 15 years later, I’m still always looking for a better, easier, faster, more enjoyable way to bind.) That first quilt was a table runner turned into a wall hanging, and the binding is so wonky the tip points out from the wall. It looks like the letter J!

  • Kathy Garringer • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #70

    I learned that I did indeed have the patience to make a quilt. I was hooked!

  • Ann Weaver • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #71

    My first quilt was a Sampler! I learned EVERYTHING ! It was a class and we learned to make pattern pieces, select fabric, piece, appliqué, make a quilt sandwich and quilt! Long time ago….

  • Cathy Martin • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #72

    My first quilt was a Santa quilt for my husband. He plays Santa. I had to hide it whenever he came home. It took alot of time. He was so surprised. I ended up adding on to make it wider. I did not know how to machine quilt so I just tied it. He loves it!!

    • Blondie Spence • 10 years ago
      COMMENT #

      Hmm, wanting to enter into this giveaway – just found you through a recommendation on FB and then through the quilt dot FB page.
      What I learned from my first quilt? Since I was a young teen learning from my grandmother I was being taught to hand quilt. I learned how to keep my quilting stitches small enough not to get my toes caught in them. Honest to goodness, that is what my granny told me. And it still resonates in my brain each quilt I stitch to this day.
      On Nat’l Quilting Day, I was cutting fabric for a quilt I am in the process of making (Smoky Mtn. Stars – Bonnie Hunter)

      Best wishes to you and your endeavors. I like seeing other folks enjoy life as much as I do.

      Blessings
      Blondie Spence

  • Sharon Kruml • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #73

    From making my first quilt I learned that I would probably be making quilts until I ran out of fabric (right (teehee))
    How much more I wanted to learn and would continue to learn until I could no longer quilt. I have been making and giving away a lot of quilts and enjoying every minute of it. Love all of the great friends that I have met thru quilting, they are all such great and sharing people. Thank you. Sharon Kruml

  • Robyn Johnson • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #74

    I learnt you get better results by using a rotary cutter. & cutting mat rather than using scissors

  • Susan • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #75

    My first quilt was a quilt for my son’s 13th birthday. I learned that I needed good cotton, and sewing a 1/4″ seam was necessary! ( I used whatever I found, as my mother and grandmother taught me. My grandmother would get polyester suits from the thrift store and those were HEAVY quilts and warm. She tied hers with yarn. My mother followed suit.) I am the first generation to quilt her own quilts (dsm)….which was interesting. I chose the old “fishline” thread, and didn’t think I needed a walking foot….well…I did. Now the stitching is breaking and I need to requilt the quilt, if that is possible. Perhaps I should just make him another quilt….LOL I love quilting!

  • shirley tener • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #76

    my first quilt was a layer cake of Lilly and Will and the greatest fabric makes for a long time quilt. My granddaughter uses this quilt and must have it at bed and it has taken a beating but its hasnt faded, frayed and still soft.

  • Connie Smith • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #77

    In 1977 I was in the hospital because of a pregnancy risk. It ended up I was there for 3 months. I had started a crib size quilt at home so my husband brought all the things I needed (even my sewing machine) to the hospital and I finished the entire quilt never getting out of bed. It was a very basic four 4″ squares in a block and hand embroidered 8″ blocks. I had a lap quilting hoop so it made the quilting part fairly easy. The entire hospital learned about this so I had many visitors everyday to see the progress. My daughter arrived on time and healthy. She left the hospital wrapped in her new quilt.

  • Rachael Rabbit • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #78

    My first quilt was a hand pieced hexagon quilt that I finished in 2007 – an animal/zoo type scene – that I designed myself (I think I still have the scribbles in a drawer somewhere.) It taught me I really should invest in a sewing machine if I enjoyed sewing this much – although I still love hand-piecing those hexagons! You can see the quilt at http://rachaelrabbit.blogspot.com/2007/08/animal-quilt.html and it currently hangs in my son’s bedroom. x

  • Karrie Smith • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #79

    I have learned almost EVERYTHING since I made my first quilt. I did squares that ended up charm sized, and didn’t even realize that FMQ existed. I thought quilting was putting together fabric! I didn’t even realize designer fabric existed…I have learned SO much from my first quilt! Thanks for the chance to win some awesome stuff!

  • Jane • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #80

    What I learned from my first quilt was to not judge my abilities. What I mean is that, now that I am more experienced, I look back on that first quilt and think, “If I had known what this project would involve, I don’t think I would have tackled it.” I didn’t know anything about quilting when I made my first quilt. It is huge, larger than queen size, and machine quilted on a little machine. But I powered through and completed it for my daughter. It makes me proud, even with all it’s flaws. Of course, I learned many quilting and sewing related information. But in this case, Ignorance truly was bliss. I am not afraid to take on any project, no matter the skill level. They are all learning experiences in my quilting journey.

  • Kathi • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #81

    My first quilt was a queen sized quilt made from (a billion?) 9 patches! Three borders and stars in each corner. That was 13 years ago. I love it we use it on our bed! I learned that you should go slightly smaller for a first quilt! 🙂 And while corner matching does matter….after awhile sometimes it doesn’t matter that much!

  • Carolyn Tindal • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #82

    I had all the triangles laid out on the counter. Even though I checked them at least 150x’s, AFTER I sewed them together, I noticed that one was in the opposite direction. Learned that you have to check 151xs!! I just told everyone, I wanted to do that and that it adds design interest!!

  • Kris B • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #83

    I learned not to make such a big, important quilt for my first project. I thought it would be a fabulous idea to make a quilt for my company president with blocks created by each of our locations. I had sewn clothes and thought that sewing straight lines together would be no problem! Boy was I wrong! My aunt helped me make it a success, but there were lots of struggles as I went. At least you only have one first & I learned from it!!

  • Barbara Ladyansky • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #84

    This worldwide quilting day will find me recuperating by snuggling uner colorfol and comfy quilts.

  • Vickie Gillespie • 10 years ago
    COMMENT #85

    One way I and other members of the Gala Quilt guild share or love of sewing is to get together at a library and sew. For national quilt month, the library sponsored a lunch and learn, where I had the privilege of telling those attending about our guild and quilting in general. Then I got to answer questions from the audience and found that those who attended were really interested in more information.

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