I chose to relate the story of my mom, who influenced many people throughout her years as a country grocer, and hoped this would inspire Kay and others.  As I wrote about Mother, I realized (as I said in one of my comments at the post):

I think we all can find inspiring stories within our families. I hope, with this story, I encourage others to look at their lives and the people they know. Someone, somewhere has inspired them in a way they may not realize at first.

Mother also inspired my quiltmaking by encouraging me to make and sell these items in her store during the Bicentennial years of 1975-76. 

****************************************************************************** 

Runner-up in this week’s contest was Biz Chicks Rule with the post, What Keeps Me Going When I Need Inspiration.  This is their second week in a row, either coming in first or as a runner-up!

What inspiring stories do you have among your family and friends that encourage you? Let us know about them!

Post from: Blisstree

My Mother, The Country Grocer…a Winner!

I agree with Jennifer.  Why not incorporate turtles into a baby gift quilt?  She might look for some fabric printed with turtles.  (Does anyone know where there is any?)  Or she could design or find a pattern of turtles to applique on quilt blocks. 

I often made quilted blankets for baby gifts and for sale.  They consisted of a single piece of printed fabric for the top and another for the back.  In between was batting.  I could tie or quilt the coverlet.

In this case, find a piece of fabric with turtle motif and use it for the top. You can use either the solid piece or cut it into patches and alternate with coordinating solid color patches.

  This is only one idea for a turtle design that could be stylized and appliqued to a quilt patch or in the center of a quilt. 

Post from: Blisstree

Turtle Quilts Inspired by Turtle Blog

Recently I read of a group of ladies who made quilts they donated to the birthing center of a local hospital.  The donation was made in memory of a past president of their guild who apparently suggested the idea.

One lady made lap quilts for elderly in nursing homes, “to help keep them warm,” she told me.  She began to get others interested in her project and soon many quilts were donated.

These small quilts don’t have to be intricate or time consuming unless you want to make them so.  I’ve found very nice baby quilts can be made from a single piece of fabric printed with colorful and interesting designs.  Simply complete with a layer of batting and backing.  Then they can be tied or machine quilted.  Lap quilts for older people could be made from patchwork printed fabric, if you don’t have time to piece or applique a quilt.

Post from: Blisstree

Quilting Donations for Worthy Causes

Do I put the top, batting and back together, then do the hand stitching through all three layers.  Or do I just stitch the top layer, then put it together? 

Then she wonders, if she puts them together to stitch, how does she secure them.

ANSWER: You can quilt it either way…quilting just the top piece of fabric or quilting through all three, depending on the effect you want.

If you hand sticth just the top (the pre-printed panel), you might want to use contrasting thread for decorative effect, then put the three layers together.

However, to give the quilt a quilted, somewhat three-dimensional effect, quilt through all three layers before binding.  You may or may not want to use a contrasting thread.  It’s your choice.

About securing the layers, if you quilt through top, batting, and backing, use a fairly thin batting.  And you have at least two ways to secure the layers.

Some quilters use safety pins (nickel ones that won’t rust) and pin the layers together with as many as needed so there isn’t slippage.

Or you can use basting stitches and sew the layers together with large running stitches which you remove after you’ve done your quilting.

A newletter I just received from Penny Halgren addressed this topic of pin and thread basting.  Penny explains this topic thoroughly on her web site, How To Quilt.

You may want to check out her article at: http://www.how-to-quilt.com/articles/5101-pin-basting-thread-basting.shtml .

Post from: Blisstree

Q & A – How Do You Quilt a Pre-Printed Panel?

You’ll find a multitude of designs…floral, pictorial, historical, Sunbonnet Sue, animals, state capitals and more…to embroider or do as cross stitch. I was browsing thorough a needlework catalog and came across so many interesting designs for quilts.

 When you’ve finished the desired number, sew them together with sashing, then select a batting and backing.  You can tie the quilt at the corners of the blocks or use quilting stitches, particularly in the sashing.

Embroidered quilts also are ideal to make for babies, children or their dolls.

Post from: Blisstree

Needlework Quilts

I stitched quilts for my grandchildren when they were infants.  These, for some reason, became “comfort” quilts or blankies for both Kara and Alex.  They wanted Nanny’s quilts on their bed most nights while they slept or with them as they napped.

Kara outgrew hers fairly early.  Alex clung to his quilt for several years, desiring it each night to help him sleep.

I used my quilt into my teens and it became almost as well worn as Alex’s blankie.  I was pleased to find, that for some reason, my mom had kept this quilt.  I discovered it as I cleared her house, when Mother had to move from her home to ours in a distant state. 

This quilt, made long ago, beside my Nanny in her kitchen long ago, comforts me with memories.

Sometimes we find comfort, too, in the process of making a quilt.  In the book, The Canada Geese Quilt, a young girl learns much and finds comfort in helping her grandmother make a quilt for the new baby in the family.

Post from: Blisstree

The Comfort Quilt