my first at thirty-nine
I finally did it.
I made my first-ever quilt!
Funnily enough, I've always had sewing machines that were considered "quilting" machines, chosen because they tend to have the most basic stitches. My first machine was a 1934 Singer featherweight (I still love sewing on that dear one!) and next was my Bernina Virtuosa 153 QE (now vacationing at my Mama's house). Then along came this dreamy machine thanks to the folks over at The Sewing Republic. But I have to 'fess up--I've never made a real quilt. Patchwork projects, sure, but the thought of putting together and maneuvering all of that fabric for a quilt was just too intimidating.
Lately, I've been inspired by Erin's and Daria's wonderful loop-de-loop quilting and some gorgeous new fabric collections. So when my fabric purchase from said collections arrived and they all looked so pretty together in a bundle, I thought to myself, "please Kathryn, throw that agonizing perfectionism to the wind, and just give the damn thing a try!" So I did, and I put it all together in a quilt.
I had no plan or pattern other than to base it on the Floral Columns Quilt I had seen once in Kaffe Fassett's Museum Quilts, quilted up in those wonderful loop-de-loops. And it had to have linen in it, too. I fought that nasty perfectionism the whole time, worried that my loops weren't all the same size. (Thank heavens for that dandy BSR--at least the stitches were even!) Yet when I finished each row of quilting I would hold up the quilt and think "I love this!" in spite of all of the wonky loops. I finished hand-sewing the binding last night and I threw the whole thing in the washer with a scoop Biokleen with my fingers crossed; then a bit of magic from the dryer. It's comfortably soft and crinkled, warm but cool, and to me, just perfect. A project that I think I so desperately needed to coincide with my (yikes!) thirty-ninth birthday. About time, I say.
I took these photos this afternoon, determined to get them taken in spite of a slow, chilly drizzle outside. Now I'm warm and cozy, curled up on the sofa with my new quilt, a plate of take-out from one of our favorite neighborhood restaurants, with a kitty and my laptop on my lap. Gary and I will be watching a movie as soon as the kids go to bed.
Thanks for letting me share my little milestones!
What a beautiful quilt! Congratulations on your first, I'm sure there will be more. I love those fabrics, they look great together.
Posted by: shannon | May 16, 2008 at 10:15 PM
i love it. really really love it. happy birthday kathryn!
Posted by: erin | May 16, 2008 at 11:07 PM
The quilt looks fantastic, I really like the colors you put together. Congratulations on the accomplishment! -kb
Posted by: kelly | May 17, 2008 at 12:31 AM
I totally understand your sense of accomplishment at finishing your first quilt. I'm still on a high from finishing mine last weekend! The quilt looks fantastic and you're right, those colours were just begging to be put together.
Well done!
Nancy. x
PS. Am getting some nice comments on the photos of the bag you made me, that I have put up on flickr.
Posted by: The List Writer | May 17, 2008 at 04:45 AM
What were you waiting for? It's beautiful! The back is as lovely as the front, I love the linen. Happy birthday!!!
Posted by: Autum | May 17, 2008 at 08:56 AM
What a beautiful quilt. Congrats! I am envying you your BSR. :)
Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Stephanie | May 17, 2008 at 10:38 AM
I love this quilt! The colors are so beautiful together.
Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Collins | May 17, 2008 at 02:47 PM
Oh Kathryn, it looks perfect to me! Happy Birthday ;-)
Posted by: beki | May 17, 2008 at 03:40 PM
Oh Kathryn, I think it looks perfect! Happy Birthday ;-)
Posted by: beki | May 17, 2008 at 03:42 PM
Your quilt is wonderful, Kathryn! I has a nice, nostalgic quality in its colors and fabrics. Great work. Happy spring days ((HUGS))
Posted by: Tracy | May 20, 2008 at 09:40 AM
Oh, and happy belated birthday! :o) Hope you had a grand day ((HUGS))
Posted by: Tracy | May 20, 2008 at 09:41 AM
I hear it was your b-day too :) happy that then!
I am loving the quilt and the new header.
Posted by: juliette | May 20, 2008 at 06:49 PM
It looks beautiful - I have yet to start one, myself, let alone finish one. It really looks very nice. I just found your site via philosophy of lists via btrs. Looking forward to reading and looking at more of your photography. I just joined the btrs for the napkins & placemat swap.
Posted by: Ellen | June 04, 2008 at 06:01 PM
Wow, that's such an achievement - well done! I've yet to try it, but won't be too far away.
I've just discovered your blog (and I'm linking to it in a post). I love the photographs (and those shoes!!!)
Posted by: Jenaveve | June 19, 2008 at 01:40 AM