My First Quilt
Sewing most of my life but never quilted. It originally started out with our Harley Davidson Motorcycle Club from Oak Lawn, IL, which I was secretary for almost four years. We were having a fund raiser for Children's Hope Hospital in Oak Lawn. The Ladies of Harley decided to make a quilt! There were several sewers in the group and none of us had ever quilted before. Through the help of the internet and going to the local quilt stores we decided to make a quilt. I was appointed the main sewer being that I had the most sewing experience. We decided to embark on a rewarding adventure which raised around $755 dollars for our finished product which was raffled off and the money donated to Children's Hope Hospital. Considering it was our first attempt, and believe me, we had quite a few challenges, which we overcame as we went along. Once the quilt was completed we were amazed at ourselves for having done such a great job, and so was everyone else. The quilt covered a king size bed. The chapter raised over $40,000 in all. We made a lot of children and the hospital very happy. I am sure you can see which one it was from the pictures below. After that. I decided to take some classes in quilting and it has now become my passion. I have tought myself to do lot of different patterns and I find it very relaxing and enjoyable.
Results of Taking Quilting Classes
This was my first quilt I made in 2005. Not only was quilting popular in this country but around the world. Did you know that in the United States quilters sent messages to the fugitive slaves, over 150 years ago, by encoding messages within quilt patterns and displaying them on a fence post, windows or clothes lines, helping them escape on the Underground Railroad. A very interesting book to read, "Hidden in Plain View" a secret story of quilts and the Underground Railroad. Authors Jacqueline L. Tobin and Raymond G. Dobard, Ph.D. I recommend reading this book. Not only is this a look back into the history of this country but history of quilting generations.
My Country Style Quilt
Personally I am not into country quilts this was one we made in class we got to pick our own materials. This was the second quilt I made. I liked the colors, earth tones, and if fit perfectly in this bedroom. I prefer modern quilting.
Just Can't Cut It - Hearts and Flowers
Why, because I liked the pattern and wanted to show the designs. I found this pattern in a book called "Just Can't Cut It". You can use this with a material you don't want to cut up, so the complete design shows. Purple is my favorite color. I used a dark green Batik for the corners. I also did some fancy stitching in the borders. Finished size was 44" square.
Hoffman Challenge 2006
I entered into the 2006 Hoffman Challenge, and since I was new to quilting, believe me it was a challenge. Not only was I new to quilting but new to this particular style of quilting, where every square is quilted individually, using the front, batting and the back, and then put together. I saw this in one of my quilting books and decided to try it. I love a good challenge and am eager to learn and adapt quickly. I was so thrilled to enter my quilt. The colorful pattern was of butterfly wings. If you are familiar with Hoffman materials you know they have gold threading. The measurements had to be perfect, they have strict rules to follow. This was a style of quilting that I had never done before, each square was individually quilted and pieced together in rows and connected. I was proud of myself. Even though I didn't win anything I received a butterfly pin for entering the contest.I was happy to have entered. Someday I plan on entering again.