Everyone Starts Somewhere
Everyone Starts Somewhere. I heard this phrase recently and it has really stuck with me. So today I wanted to show you where I started in my quilting journey. This image is of the quilting on the first quilt I ever made. December 2013. I actually finished binding this quilt on Christmas Eve that year; JUST in time to use it!
I snapped the photo above the moment this pile of fabric started looking like a quilt! I was doing crosshatch quilting on this one. I had done all my diagonal lines in one direction and had just turned the quilt and centered it so I could start the diagonal lines the other way. I was so excited! I know it’s not the best photo, but it tells a story for sure and brings back a great memory!
So, how did I get into quilting? Where was my starting point?
I had always loved sewing. I wasn't very good at it, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I remember sewing in my home economics class in Middle School. I was so excited because growing up, I watched my mom sew and always loved it when she pulled out her machine! I couldn’t wait to sew, and in school of all places! It felt like a nice break from classes. We started out “sewing” with an empty needle punching through lines on paper. I remember one time I forgot to put the presser foot down and really scared my self when the machine seemed out of control! It was a self-taught lesson I’ll never forget! I made a stuffed kitty in that class. It had loads of personality sewn right in!
After that, I also did some sewing with a teen girls church group, we had a leader who is fantastic at sewing! We made pajamas, curtains, and other things I can’t quite remember! I do remember requesting a sewing machine and a serger for my birthday though!
Fall 2013. Somewhere along the way, I decided it would be fun to learn to quilt! My mom - who was also interested in learning to quilt - and I signed up for a Quilting 101 class at our local quilt shop. I was so excited to get to learn this new craft! Our very first class went over the basics of quilting. We picked out fabrics from the shop where we were taking the class and got a supply list to shop from for things to bring to class the next week. There was so much to learn and I’m glad that class laid a good foundation for me. Plus, my mom and I had a great time doing it together! The quilt picture above is a result of that class!
Was this quilt perfect? No. I remember that I had cut all the pieces for one of my fabrics wrong and I had to buy new fabric!
While the quilt it may not have been technically perfect, for me, it couldn’t have been any better! I started that class knowing nothing about quilting and by then end of it, was able to finish a quilt. One that I still have and love today!
That was my starting point. Quilting 101.
I’ve progressed a lot since then. Here is what happened after Quilting 101:
Spring/Summer 2014. After that class, I made a quilt for my sister’s college graduation! Second quilt ever. I used the same pattern from our class and so much fun making it. Hopefully it was a little improved from my first! The theme was sunflowers, my sister’s favorite, and coordinating saturated oranges and blues.
Fall 2014. I purchased my second pattern ever! With it, I made a baby-sized whale quilt for a friend of mine. I then went out and bought fabric for some more baby quilts with that same pattern.
From there, my quilting journey had slowed a bit. I did do a few quilts here and there but I didn’t really get into consistently quilting until 2018. I was doing a ton of loom knitting and crocheting though!
Fall/Winter 2017. I stumble upon new fabric and patterns and quilters and remember how much I love quilting! I subsequently purchased fabric for 5 new quilts at the beginning of 2018.
2018. I begin quilting more than ever before and realize I have a real passion for it. My favorite thing to do is make a quilt for a friend or family member that I know they’ll love! It’s so fun to customize the PERFECT quilt for someone based on their likes and interests!
2019. Launch my business and website, Piece of Home Quilts.
Beyond. Who know what the future holds? I currently writing new quilt patterns which I cannot wait to share with you! I am also in the process of getting everything in place to purchase a longarm quilting machine. It’s scary and exhilarating all at once! I had no idea when I began looking into quilting where it would lead, and I have no idea what the future holds, but I can’t wait to share it with you!
Stay tuned.