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My First Quilt

Me and the Blue Ribbon

My First Quilt

Eleven months ago, I finished breast cancer chemotherapy. My 90 year old grandmother encouraged me to piece a quilt during the chemo treatments when I complained of not having the energy to do anything. This would be my first time sewing a quilt.

I started sewing a 'H' in the center of an old white sheet with a trapunto technique; then added fleur de lis blocks. My inspiration came from the book, Boutis & Trapunto by Coget. Adding the black and white toile curtain fabric next gave it a 'French' feeling. Then scraps from a quilting jellyroll and two of my husband's shirts added to the size of it. It grew to fit a queen-size bed!

Some of the blocks are pieced by hand when I felt so bad that I couldn't move from the couch, some scraps were sewn with a friends sewing machine. I found that the toile fabric frayed easily and the blocks needed to be zigged-zagged by a machine. The quilting part was done professionally. And yes, she complained about the piece not being very square, or straight, seams not a quarter inch, and puckering!

I, with all my heart, recommend making a scrap quilt. This not only added a physical layer of warmth and comfort with all the fabric in my lap, but also gave me joy in seeing the project grow and become a finished family treasure. Before Christmas, I entered it in a local Quilter's Show and won a ribbon for 'Best First Quilt'. It was a wonderful opportunity to remind the quilting group to keep medical checkups current.

I am so excited to start my second quilt and using the new Quilt Your Stash!

JWHuey, member
Posted on Apr 21st, 2012 in sewing, design, home decoration, quilting, reader's closet, sewing, quilting, stash, Quilts, trapunto, breast cancer

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