Wednesday, May 5, 2010

The story

I just have to say, that hopefully, the title of this blog will be a misnomer at some point, because I'd like to do more quilts (I think), and would like to document all of my quilting experience here.

That said - let me give some background...

A few years back, when we were living in Ohio, my mom came to visit, and I decided it was time for me to buy a sewing machine. She went with me and helped me pick one out. It's a White Classic 312. I got it for around $60. I used it a couple of times - I made a couple of purses, a couple of sets of pillow cases, and maybe a few other things here and there.

Then I didn't use it for a looooooonnnnnnggggg time.

I would break it out maybe a couple of times a year, at the most.

Now, in 2010, I've used the machine more than I've used it since I first got it! I made a camera strap, a couple of blankets, a few burp cloths, an apron, and I think that's it.

So, I'm feeling it right now. I've always been so intimidated by sewing, but I'm not anymore. I mean, for some things I still am...but I know more about my machine, so I'm more comfortable with it all.

However, I was not at all interested in quilting. I think I even said those exact words to my husband..."Trust me, that's one thing I won't do!"

Until...

Melissa invited me to the May meeting of the Los Angeles Modern Quilt Guild. I told myself that I would go just to go...gets me out of the house for a night, I get to spend some time with Melissa, whatever, it would be fun. But, in the back of my head, I had this nagging little voice that kept telling me, "You're going to leave that meeting wanting to make a quilt."

That voice was right.

I was so inspired by these women and their beautiful quilts! I always thought of quilting as so old-fashioned, but this is the modern quilt guild. And I'm a modern kind of girl!

I walked into the store where the meeting was being held, (Home Ec, which is in Silverlake on Sunset), and I saw the total cuteness of it all, and even before the meeting started I was asking Melissa how much it cost to be a member, because I was more than likely going to want to join.

After the meeting was over, I asked the president of the guild what would be a good starting quilt for me based on my experience. She recommended I start out with a coin quilt.

I had no idea what that was, so instead of seeming more clueless than I already was, I nodded my head, and made a mental note to check out what a coin quilt was as soon as I got home.

I did that, and excitedly told Grant that I wanted to join. But I didn't really know what I wanted to make. As I was showing him pictures of quilts that people from the guild have made, I saw what really inspired me - a Christmas quilt! I would make a Christmas quilt for Kendall's bed! She's my oldest daughter (she's 2 1/2), and was born on Christmas day.

The next day, I was completely obsessed with the idea. I found a tutorial for a coin quilt, and found the fabric that I wanted to use.

The tutorial for the quilt is for a crib sized quilt. I want to do a twin size. So, I figured I would just use this tutorial, but then add some borders around it to make it big enough for a twin. But how to do that?

I printed off some graph paper, and went to work. I've never done anything like this before, so it was a little challenging, but I'm happy with my design.



So, that's what I have so far. An idea and a drawing. I want to use this blog to show the whole process from start to finish. Seeing that the fabric I want isn't even in stock yet, I'll have to wait a bit. But in the mean time, I'll post other projects that I do. I already have another one all drawn up.

7 comments:

  1. Woo-hoo...first one to comment on your new blog!
    I can't wait to see your new quilt!

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  2. Yay Kelly! I'm so happy for you. (This is Latifah from the guild.) It's going to be great! I'm glad you found a good coin quilt tutorial. Amanda Jean from Crazy Mom Quilts is great! Please don't hesitate to reach out when/if you have questions. And you HAVE to come to our weekend sew to work on it! Hope to see you soon. And, I can't wait to see what you create!

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  3. :o) I ♥ the fabric you chose, and I'm very excited to see how it comes together! You are gonna zip past me in the whole "first quilt" department. I'm excited for you, and VERY HAPPY that the Modern Quilt movement has another great quilter among the ranks! :o) Yay!

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  4. Kelly

    Check out my sister's blog at http://www.alamosaquilter.blogspot.com/
    She quilts a LOT and has some good links.

    Kristin

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  5. I am so excited to see your progress! You've inspired me to learn how to sew this summer. :)

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  6. I've started a few quilts...started...and bought a few patterns this past year. It's something I've been dying to get into though all I need is one more project! I can't help it though - there's nothing like a handmade quilt. So if you need a recipient to, you know, test out a quilt, etc...feel free to send one my way ;)

    But seriously, two of my favorite quilting/sewing blogs are on my blog on the side "Simplify" (Camille Roskelley) - LOVE HER PATTERNS and FABRIC!! and "Cluck Cluck Sew" (forget her name, but she has great tutorials).

    Good luck!

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