Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Quilting 101

Each time I begin to blog, I start out with an apology as to why I haven't touched the keyboard in a while. Hmm.....I think it's called groceries, committee meetings, editing, planning graduation parties, planning birthday parties, church, substituting, running.... life in general! Sorry--once again! I have finally decided to just forgive myself and hope you do the same! You can catch up with my "exciting" life on facebook if I haven't blogged in a month or so!

One thing that I have been working on is a quilt for child #1' s graduation. Back in the dark ages, when I taught school 180 days out of the year, a wonderful parent volunteer made a quilt for my classroom. It was precious! She had each of the children paint their hand prints on squares, and she sewed them together for a lovely wall hanging. I believe in "paying it forward", so I too made small quilts for the boys' teachers when they were little. I loved doing this.

I have a tendency to save things. Maybe it's the teacher in me--who knows! But, I saved special t-shirts that the boys had worn from the age of 4 until now. I thought in the back of my head, "one day I'll make them a quilt!" Well, stacks of t-shirts moved with us for three house moves! My hubby kept asking if I really was going to use them!

In January, I pulled them out. I had thought about using the old-fashioned poster board template--like the ones I had used for the teacher quilts. But....these shirts were pretty big! I broke down and went to Wal-mart and purchased real, live quilting templates and a rotary cutter! That cutter is amazing!!!!! One cold  afternoon, I sat down in front of the tv and began cutting. And, cutting, and cutting. Two hours later, I had a stack of 36 t-shirt squares. I was a little impressed that they really were all symmetrical! Having the right tools does help the process!

I began piecing them together--the dining room table makes a great workstation! The pieces got bigger and bigger. I finally pieced them together and added the batting and the back. Whew! Now, in the middle of the project, my handy dandy 20 year old sewing machine died. It really did. It's in the trash dump! So, I borrowed a sweet friend's machine and completed the project. I finished the hand sewing before lunch today. So, yes, even Runnermom can complete a project that's been in the recesses of her mind for many years. That in itself is an amazing feat! And, I get to do it again in 3 years when child #2 graduates! Mercy!!

What projects do you have going on now? Or, what do you want to learn to do? Summer is the perfect time to start a new project. You may not finish it bythe time school starts in August, but that's ok. Just learn to forgive yourself!

Sweet Blessings,

11 comments:

Amy said...

I love that idea. You did such a great job.

Can I mail you my shirts when my daughter graduates? You have nine years before that happens...plenty of time, right?
Blessings,
Amy

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

My friend, (Beth... we took pictures of her front door!) did this for her son. I've kept shirts as well but have absolutely no idea how to make them into anything.

It will be your son's favorite quilt for seasons to come! Way to go, friend.

peace~elaine

Gotta Run..... said...

I still have the one my mom made me of all kinds of misc. pieces from my childhood. I CHERISH IT!!!

You are such a great mom!!

Leah Adams said...

I LOVE IT!! What a treasure! What a keepsake!! How awesome! thanks so much for sharing it with us!!

KelliGirl said...

Susan,
I think I get around to visiting blogs about once a month, so your timing is perfect for me!

I LOVE the quilt you made for your son. How incredibly clever and memorable!! I wish I would have thought of this thirteen years ago.

I just finished a massive photo book of my last trip to Haiti. It's due to arrive any day and I can't wait.

Blessings to you!!
Kelli

LeeBird3 said...

How awesome!!!!! I want you to my momma. :)

LisaShaw said...

Hi friend, I love it!!! Your child is going to love it too I'm sure!

I have always wanted to learn to crochet. One day...

Right now I'm knee deep in completing another project that has been in my heart and mind for years and while I'd start, I'd also stop but not any more. I'm going to FINISH!

You're such a sweet encouragement! I too have been living LIFE so while I enjoy blogging it has to be prioritized like everything else so sugar don't apologize to us. We understand! Live your life and know that I (we) love you and are praying for you!

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

Hi Susan:

Yep... life does take priority over blogging! It's probably a lesson most blogging people learn.

I just love your project. It's one of those things I WISH I had done. It will always be a treasure.

xo

Carol said...

I enjoyed the beginning of your post when you mentioned how you apologize each time you blog again. That's me lately... or should I say for the past year. I want to blog more, but life is busy. We do the best we can, right. :)

Anyway, I've been following your blog for some time, but just as much as I am not able to write, I don't read blog posts much either, but I'm trying.

I have t-shirts saved in a drawer so that I can do the exact same thing. I have 5 kids, so that means I have to keep saving t-shirts for a long time.

I have other quilt projects that need to be finished up as well, all in due time. Thanks for inspiring me.

Blessings,
Carol

Beth E. said...

Oh, I love this quilt! What a great idea!

My projects of late? Hmmmm...preparing for a wedding and spending money for that wedding! ;-)

Love you...

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