Pages

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Nan's 60th Birthday Quilt

It's my mums 60th on the 22nd and about a month or two ago, my sister Jo suggested that we should all do a project for Mum, the problem is that I am the only stitcher in the family. My sisters though are all very quick learners and perfectionists so we finally got it done (the binding was finished the day after we gave it t her :) but mums are usually just a quilt top when she hands them over, so not finishing it was quite appropriate. sorry mum :)

I designed this with the plan that we would each do 3 hearts each. 1 blanket stitch applique, 1 reverse applique and 1 embroidered. The coloured squares were going to be plain, but we decided to put little quotes (modified to make them about our mum) on them. As I was running out of time to finish them, my eldest sister Tracey ended up embroidering 1o of the 12! Not bad for a non sewer. The back is all Nan's grandkids hands (60 fingers, very appropriate), I was going to put them in a circle with fingers touching, but couldn't work out how I would quilt it, so after a suggestion from a fellow scquilter I put them on the border. The border became very large as we had to fit sean's hands (Traceys son) on it. He's nearly 15 and is extremely tall. (A basketballer with very big hands) But it worked out perfectly because you can see the quilted shape of all the hands on the front.

This is Tracey's embridered heart. I think we may have converted her, I think she secretly really enjoyed doing it.

This is 5 of the 6 grandkids, Molly and Chloe are at the back and Jo's kids Reilly and Leah at the front.
I decided to make it a quilt as you go quilt in the end, because Nic and Jo hadn't finished their embroidered hearts and I was stressing about getting it all finished in time, and after reading all the fellow scquilters qayg storys I thought it was worth a try. It worked out perfectly and I gained an enrmous amount of confidence with free motion quilting. It was so easy not having to hold a big quilt in the machine, just a 6 1/2 inch square. My only suggestion though is don't do this if you don't like binding!!!!
Here's my angel with his little hands... too cute!

THE last stitch!

I got some of the Matilda's own Ink Jet printable fabric to do the label. It turned out beautifully, but because the backing of it is plastic I had no end of trouble getting my printer to pull it through, but I eventually got it and it looks amazing!!!! I think so anyway, what do you think?

This is the very first Quilt that mum has been given, she is normally the giver, not receiver.

Happy Birthday Nan! I love you!!!

9 comments:

  1. This is surely one marvellous treasure that your mother must love. You have all done a wonderful job - congratulations on wonderful work and finished on time!(An extra day in a life of 60 years is nothing!)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am having trouble commenting - hope this works. I love the quilt and am sure your mother will treasure it forever

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hey Paula,
    You put so much thought into every element of this quilt - it is absolutely gorgeous. Congrats to you and your sisters - the level of work by "non sewers" is extraordinary. They should think about taking it up - they are clearly very talented.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Paula, your mum must have been blown away by that quilt - it's a triumph! I especially love the inclusion of all the handprints!

    ReplyDelete
  5. The quilt looks great! Your Mum would have loved it.

    I read about the Easter grass last time I visited. What a pity it didn't work - the kids would have been very excited.

    ReplyDelete
  6. It makes a mother proud to see the effort that my daughters went to to produce this wonderfull gift.
    As only one is a sewing nut and the other three can't usually sew on a button it has surprised me and I think themselves at what they produced.
    Thank you Tracey, Paula, Jo and Nic
    I love you all so much.
    MUM....NAN

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wow it turned out great Paula, well done!! I can't wait to see it in person. You did so well to get it all together in time. I must admit I did enjoy it a little bit, but it was for a great cause. In future I think I will stick to buttons...yes I can at least do that Mum (if you aren't around)!! I love you, Happy Birthday!
    Nic :)
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  8. Ah wonderful quilt for your Mummy! I too have three sisters who all sew, and we have done some 'family quilts' - good fun to do when we are spread from one end of the country to the other!
    A lovely photo with all the GKs on their hands and knees!
    Hugs,
    Jas

    ReplyDelete
  9. The quilt looks fantastic Paula! Well done to you and the girls! And I bet Lesley was thrilled to bits! What treasures you are!
    Fiona x

    ReplyDelete