Memories of a First Quilt
Even when I’m in mad holiday scramble mode (like now), I still like to take 10 minutes or so before bed and read. It helps to slow my thoughts enough that I can get to sleep (rather than thinking through tomorrow’s to-do list), and I’m a huge bookworm, so 10 pages is better than nothing. Last night, I fell asleep reading on the couch, curled up under the first quilt I ever made.
It’s a yellow, blue and green pieced quilt, with 20 Star of Home blocks set on point. I started quilting the summer after I graduated from college. With a nine to five job, and no homework, I decided I needed a hobby to fill my nights and weekends! I’d learned to sew as a kid, and my mom quilted, so this was the logical next step.
I remember going into the quilt store to shop for fabric. I found two fabrics I loved—the border prints—and then picked fabrics for the blocks with help from one of the women who worked in the shop.
Then I got home and the fabric sat for two months. I was afraid to cut into it, afraid to make a mistake and waste that beautiful fabric! My mom finally came to visit for a weekend, and with her help, I cut all my strips and blocks. She left and I started piecing, happy as a clam. This quilting stuff wasn’t too hard—not much different than regular sewing!
Several months later, I had all my blocks completed and proudly laid them out on the floor during a visit to my parents’ house. My mom’s friend, also a quilter, stopped by to look. She said something I’ll never forget: ”Wow, for a first-time quilter, you have really nice points in your blocks.” I looked at her blankly. Points? I hadn’t realized that I was supposed to pay attention to that while sewing!
I’d been pretty proud of myself before—making my first quilt, happy with the fabrics and colors—but now…I had created points without even knowing it! Yikes.
I’ve learned a lot in the years since my first quilt, and I know I still have a lot to learn. Even though the binding is coming lose and I probably should have quilted it more than I did, it’s still one of my favorite quilts, perfect for an evening read!
What’s the story behind your first quilt? Send us your memory and a picture of your quilt.
Lisa Swenson Ruble
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About the Author: Lisa Swenson Ruble
I made my first quilt when I graduated from college and realized that I needed a hobby to fill all those hours that used to be dedicated to homework! Eleven years later, I'm completely addicted to quilting and thrilled that my day job as the managing editor for Quilt, Simple Quilts & Sewing and Quilt Almanac allows me to "play" with quilts and the friendly world of quilters!
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