Accepting Alice's Challenge to Show My First Quilt

I well remember my first quilt and the experiences encountered in its making. 

After inheriting from family members quite a number of quilts from the 1930's and 1940's, I decided that I wanted to learn to quilt so I could leave some of my own quilts for my sons.  Also I wanted some I could use in my home since I didn't want to damage those old quilts; and besides, they didn't match my decor, which in the beginning I thought was very important!   *wink*

So I went to the local Wal-mart and made my fabric selections.  I had a pattern in mind from a magazine.  I was so proud of myself, and went right to work in January 1999, while I was still working full time.  I knew a couple who were both excellent quilters, and I invited them to come view my accomplishment.  HE is an excellent prize winning hand quilter, and she does excellent machine piecing for him to quilt.  They were very complimentary (to encourage me), but he touched the fabric and said, "Why did you choose this fabric?  Didn't you know you should use only 100 per cent cotton fabric?"  I hated to expose my sheer ignorance, so I said, "Yes, I know, but I loved the roses."  I felt like a complete idiot!  Consequently, those very words are what I named the quilt! 

This is what I wrote in my little quilt journal about my first quilt:

"I Know, But I Loved the Roses"  -  88" x 73", Machine piecing begun January, 1999; Machine quilting and binding finished January 1, 2000. 

This was my first quilt.  It has many mistakes, but I learned a lot.  First error was that the fabric is a poly-cotton blend, rather than 100% cotton.  The batting is 80/20 cotton/poly.  I learned that I do not like (and cannot do) "stitch in the ditch" quilting.  I also learned that more contrast in values would have shown the roses better. 

Still I'm amazed it turned out as well as it did.  I can't believe I attempted such a large quilt for my first one, with only a pattern and instructions of just two pages from a magazine which I misplaced before I finished the quilt! 

The quilt was shown in the local quilt guild show in February, 2002. 


That same man took this picture of my quilt at the quilt show, but when I scanned it into my computer, it came out fuzzy.  You can't tell from the picture, but I think the pink sashing is so pretty.  It is a soft pink with an overlay of white lace, which I thought added a special dainty touch.  Then when I made the label, I wrote a "book" and whipped it on the back, but....... it explains everything for posterity!  (Like they'd want to know someday!)  *giggle*

I think I've told you before that I'm really glad the quilt is a poly/cotton blend, because I keep it on my den couch where the grandsons pile down when they come for a visit.  I don't have to yell at them, and ever so often I throw it in the washer, and it's good as new because that fabric is indestructible! 

Lots of mistakes, from beginning to end!  But you know what?  I still love those roses, and I enjoy the quilt!

So there you have it!  My first quilt!

I went to the quilt store today and got a few fabrics I need for my next Christmas wall hanging, and also some others for my next quilt, a Kaleidoscope.  I've been wanting to make one for a long time.  I started cutting it tonight, using Marti Michell's Kaleido-Ruler for the first time, and that ruler is so-o-o neat!  I just hope I can match all those points when I begin sewing, hopefully tomorrow.  The weather is supposed to be bad for a few days, so I won't be tempted to be going anywhere.   Maybe I can get a lot done!

One more thing and I'll hush! I want to thank all of you who offered help in getting my pictures in my blog. I had no problem at all with this one, thanks to you all!   With all of us helping one another, it is so much easier!   I think all of us are doing well in getting set up with all the new stuff! 

---"Love"