Thursday, November 20, 2008

My 25 Year Old Quilt



































































Once upon a time there were 2 young girls that were best friends. Their names were Val & Vicki. They were in their 20's and each one decided to make a quilt. Their children were toddlers. They went to walmart and bought a book that would teach them how. They each picked out a pattern out of the book & fabric and got started. Well Vicki (the smart one) finished hers in no time at all. It was beautiful. Val was so sad. She didn't think hers would ever get finished. She had it all put together and sandwiched together but that is as far as it went. Over the years, her children thought this unfinished quilt was a part of the family. They would make jokes about it because they knew that it would never be finished. Val would laugh too, because she knew how many projects she had started before and never completed. One year Val had even thought about putting it in a yard sale hoping someone would finish it but her husband wouldn't let her. He said that it was "his" quilt. So she packed it up and then one day she decided to get it back out and hand quilt it. She really didn't know how to do this but was determined to get it done anyway. Val visited her Granny one day and helped her roll a quilt and put it on the machine to quilt it. Her Granny even showed her how she puts a chair behind her and lays the quilt across it as she machine quilts it. She thought to herself that she could do this. So she started removing the hand quilting and follow grannys directions in machine quilting. Then she went to Amanda Jeans Binding Tutorial
and learned how to put a binding on! Things kept interfering with her working on this quilt and then this past Sunday she said that this was the day! Her husband helped her figure how many inches of binding she needed. She got the binding cut and started and it took her several more nights to hand stitch the binding on but she finally got it done. It is finished.

This story of course is about me and my best friend. Her quilt is the big beautiful star. Mine is the calico fabric (shoofly pattern) which was really popular 25 years ago. I am so proud. The quilt is not perfect by any means but it is beautiful to me. I took it to my grannys house today. Her and my dad were eating lunch. When I told her I finished my quilt and showed it to her--she cried. She said that I was the only grandchild that knew how she felt when quilting. She said she is so happy that I would be carrying on this tradition of hers. She never noticed the imperfections. My dad saw it too and I could tell he was happy for me too. I can't wait until my Mom & Vicki gets to see it. They will be as happy and proud as I am. When my "sweet honey" came home I presented him with "his" quilt. He loves it. He said he never thought he would see the day that it could go on our bed. But today is the day that the 25 year old quilt is on my bed. This for sure has been a long journey. Granny gave me some advice today--she said take a short break but get right back at the sewing machine and get another one going. So since she makes at least 1 quilt a week, I think I will take her advice and get another one done. The next one will not take me 25 years though. I have the "quilting bug!"

21 comments:

My Colonial Home said...

Oh my gosh, I loved your story and the quilt is just beautiful...and bless your husband for being there all the way encouraging you.
Gran and dad look so cute.
Thanks again for posting.
Karen

Anonymous said...

Val, I love it! I am teary eyed, this has brought back such good memories. I think about how that special quilt has moved from the log home to all your other homes displayed in the quilt hoop as a reminder that one day you would complete it. You have done a great job, as usual. You should be so proud of your 1st quilt! I know I'm very proud of you. I will be over to check it out! Love you girl! Vicki

Alice Grace said...

This is a momentous occasion! Wow, how proud I am of you, and the quilt it so beautiful! Vicki's is gorgeous, also!
You did well, and I am proud of you for finishing it. I know your family will be as proud of you as I am.
Love
MOM

Danetta said...

Val, I am so happy to see your finished quilt. I too have projects all over my house that I wonder if I will ever finish and you have just shown that it can be done. I really love when you post about your litle granny. What a blessing and inspiration is to all of us who read your blog. Since I am actually commenting this time, I will also say that I hope your daughter is finding peace in the hard time she is going through.

StitchinByTheLake said...

Congratulations Valerie! And you shouldn't worry about 25 years - I bet I have some unfinished quilts that are that old. :) Some things are better with age you know, like wine, and like....well, quilts! blessings, marlene

Krista said...

I love it! I love the way you rolled it up and put it over the chair behind you. I had no idea what you meant when you said you helped your granny roll a quilt. Now I get it!

Julie said...

I loved your post. Way to go--what a feeling of accomplishment for you. How sweet that it touched your gran so much. I have an unfinished aphagan this is 18 years old. You have given me hope that maybe I will finish it someday. Have agreat night. Julie

Sue said...

Val, it is beautiful, I love it and can see why your husband laid claim to it. What an accomplishment!

Carole Burant said...

Oh Valerie, it's beautiful! It may have taken 25 years to make it but you did it and I have no doubts that your gran is SO very proud of you!! That picture of you and your gran, with your hands linked together on the quilt brought tears to my eyes. A beautiful story with a beautiful ending:-) xoxo

QuiltedSimple said...

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it. What a great accomplishment to get it done - and how perfect it is for your bed! Great job! What are you making next? hehe
Kris

Carliea said...

I, too, have an unfinished item. I started crocheting an afghan for my mom years ago. I have one skein of thread left and I haven't touched it in 4 or 5 years. I think I will try again. Thanks for sharing I don't feel so bad about my unfinished item.

Unknown said...

Good job! It's beautiful. Can't believe you posted those dreadful seed packets. I just remembered a quilt that my mom started before she passed, it just hit me like a ton of bricks when I was reading your post. I'll try and find it and post a picture, you will love it. Your post almost always bring blessings of good memories to me!

Amanda Jean said...

what a beautiful story, Val! that's so sweet that you got to finish your quilt and then share it with your grandmother. good for you!!!

Unknown said...

Do Not frown.........you have been tagged...maybe this is why Vicki doesn't blog, LOL.

Samantha said...

I am so glad you finished it! And now you have the quilting bug- uh oh! I love your stories about your granny, she is so sweet.

*karendianne. said...

What a spectacular achievement!!! And a lovely story with great, special "hug grandma" photos to boot. And you, you at the machine. I love that shot, too. Oh I'm soooooo happy to see this one your bed.

Once Upon a Time Love, *karendianne. who believes in YOU! and is imaging how wonderful your grandma must feel, Val.

Shannon said...

This is amazing Val!! What a wonderful job you did, it's beautiful!! Vicky's is as well! :) Glad you finally got to finish it. I knew you could do it!! It's alway nice to see pics. of your granny! How sweet she is & proud of you!! :) Love Shannon Collins

Life is Sew Crazy! said...

That quilt is simply beautiful & there's a lot of love in that quilt!

I'm glad that you got it done despite how long it took you!

Sal said...

What a beautiful story, it made me all misty eyed...well done, the quilt looks better than fantastic!
Sal

G'G'ma said...

Well done!! That was such a nice story. And now...on to the next quilt.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations...You go, Girl!
It's wonderful :)