Way back in 2002 I told my husband I wanted to make a quilt. Mind you, up to that point the only other time I even sat behind a sewing machine, let alone sewed something was in 1985 in 8th grade Home Economics! So we proceeded to the local Sears and bought a Janome model that was made for Sears at the time. It was some quilter's edition in that it came with a walking foot and some quilting guide bar (that I've never used!). But basically, it's just an average regular sewing machine. We paid a whole $270 for it. So anyway, I went to the local Walmart and bought some fabrics that I liked at the time to make a basic patchwork quilt. I assembled the quilt top and then that was it. I had no clue how to finish it. I didn't know about blogs (if they were even around way back then!), I never even considered taking a quilting class. I had some books, read about quilting and was completely lost. Had no clue how to do a binding or even quilt it for that matter! I shoved the quilt top in a drawer and it was never pulled out again. The machine was put away and wasn't used again until March 2009! Now that I'm quilting, I realize how bottom of the line my machine is and how a better machine would probably make quilting a bit easier, but I'm use to this machine now. I know eventually I'll get another one. But that is rather intimidating to me. Which one do you get? What's the best machine? Do I really want to spend thousands of dollars on it? So for now, this will do.
Yesterday I was rooting around some stuff in a closet and low and behold I come across that very first quilt! I don't really care for the fabrics, they are very cheap and not "quilt shop" quality. BUT the funny thing is is that the past few days I've been thinking about making a quilt for our camping trailer. I've been looking online at different fabrics and just really haven't found anything that I want yet. #1, I don't want to spend a whole lot on the quilt since it's just going in our trailer for when we are camping. #2, I really want something sort of rustic looking. #3, this sounds crazy, but I don't want to be super in love with it because I'm afraid if I am, then it won't go or stay in the trailer! ANYWAY.....after coming across this sort of ugly 1st quilt, I think I now have a quilt for our trailer! Luckily the bag it was in still had some fabric in there. So now I need to make it a bit bigger and finish this sucker up!
That sounds like a perfect way to use your first quilt! I don't mean that first quilts should be banished to campers...I mean you'll have so many good camper memories with that quilt!
ReplyDeleteI remember many things about the camper days of my youth and I wish I still had some of the blankets/games we used to use all the time. Once in a while my brother and I will come across something from our childhood and we'll laugh and reminisce.
I hope your quilt will someday be a lovely reminder of fun camping days.
Pretty good quilt for your first time! I'm impressed! Perfect for camping too!
ReplyDeleteMy first machine was a hand-me-down from my sister. I finally bought a janome last year. It was under $500 and it has a ton of stuff that I love for quilting. I would love to spend thousands.. but it's really not necessary. (but it would be nice)
Just goes to show that everything has a use somewhere. And I agree...that doesn't look like a first quilt! I'm sure it will be well used and well loved.
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