Every so often questions and comments come from readers that I think others would like to hear my response to. That’s when I feature them on the blog. This is one of those days.
Today’s topic is all about our quilt that was featured in the 2022 Fall Issue of Quilts and More. You can get the magazine HERE on Amazon. This quilt…
This quilt has a bit of an epic story. Epic in this case means long, not spectacular. So let me start at the beginning, November of 2021. At that time I was contacted by the magazine. Being I’m a regular contributor they periodically contact me to see if I have something they could use last minute…and that’s what this contact was about.
They needed a project for immediate publication. I sent them pictures of this quilt…
They accepted it right away and I sent it off. You can read more about it HERE.
Well, that got me thinking that they likely needed more quilts for upcoming publications so I quickly designed a quilt with the idea of using a layer cake in mind. That was the Perfect Match quilt.
They accepted that immediately. I left the fabrics up to them saying I would make it in whatever fabric they wanted. I was told great. They would get back to me. This was in November. I had a deadline date of February 1st.
Fast forward to mid December. I still had not heard from them. I was now taking oral chemo and could see it was starting to get me foggy and not feeling quite as good. I was nervous I was going to get sicker so I wrote a note saying I needed to know what fabric they wanted to use so I could get this quilt made. I explained that I had cancer and was going through treatment. A few days later I got a message with three options of fabric lines. Two were Riley Blake designs and one was from Moda.
I like Riley Blake fabrics but don’t have any direct contact info for anyone there so…I opted to go with Moda because I have regular contacts with several people there. Anything to get the fabric here faster as I was getting sicker and sicker.
Well, my request came in about the same time as the holidays rolled in. People were out of the office taking family time and then inventory was starting in. I didn’t get my fabric until January. UGH. Now I was feeling worse.
Remember that terrible acne, so bad I could barely touch my face? Then came the terrible mouth sores, headaches, raging blood pressure, and isolation. YEP. That was time I finally had everything to start the quilt.
Because of the delay in getting everything, I ordered extra fabric. It’s a good thing I did.
I struggled through making the quilt top. This is what I made…Imagine it only as top. I wasn’t feeling well at all by this point so even though I normally could have handled the longarming. I contacted my friend Carla and asked her to do it. Carla said yes but now I put her in a crunch. I wrote to the magazine and they said no worries. Just get it in when you can.
By now I got a notification that the gal at the magazine that I had been working with moved on and found a new job. I wondered if that was why the slow responses when I was trying to hear back from them on the fabric selection.
Then Carla contacted me. She thought there was something wrong with the quilt. She was having trouble seeing the pattern and consistency in it to do the longarming. She sent pictures to me. Oh, my word. I was sick…only this time, sick because Carla was right. The quilt was wrong.
To clarify. The quilt is okay as is but it isn’t how it was meant to be. Look at the picture below. See how the individual squares are lined up and centered. That is how I meant the quilt to be. In the photo above, they are not centered and lined up.
I’d like to also point out that the first quilt I made used a darker gray and the one that was published used a lighter gray. Which one do you like better? I think it popped a little more on the darker gray…but the lighter is softer. Pick whichever for the look you’re going for.
Here is a close-up picture to help you see my error.
Isn’t Carla’s quilting fabulous??
By now it was the beginning of February. I was feeling a little bit better. The headaches were easing. My mouth was terrible but I didn’t need my mouth to help me sew. So over the course of a weekend, I sewed the top and got it to Carla.
I asked for an extension from the magazine and they granted it. Carla went all out and finished this for me in record time. I was so grateful.
Carla gave the “wrong” top back to me. You can read more about it HERE.
Many of you said you couldn’t see what was wrong with the first quilt. You are right…it’s a good enough quilt in its own right, just not the quilt I intended. I did finish it and donated it to Ukraine. I’m sure whoever got the quilt doesn’t really care if the individual squares line up or not.
Now for a question from Deb K. She asked:
“How did you cut the layer cake for Perfect Match. Just found the magazine and had bought the layer cake this spring eggnog you were working on it.”
I did make mine using a layer cake. If you are super careful you can get it out. The magazine opted to write the directions using fat quarters as they didn’t want someone who made a cutting error to be frustrated. If you haven’t bought fabric for it yet I suggest getting a layer cake and one 1/2 yard cut of your favorite prints from the line. That way if you do make a mistake cutting, you can always just make a couple of extra blocks using your favorite print.
This is how I cut my layer cake. I didn’t have any squares left from the fabric line so this is just a piece of fabric that I cut to the 10″ square size. This quilt could easily be made with scraps.
Please keep in mind, that I can’t give you all of the exact measurements of everything as the magazine owns the pattern. They wrote it.
Cut your 10″ square in half so you have a two 5 x 10″ pieces. With the left half, cut two 5 x 5″ squares. From the other half cut the four 2″ squares.
Cut the 3 1/2″ square and the two 1 1/2″ squares for the doll quilt.
Cut two extra 2″ squares.
It should look like this…
Do that for however many doll quilt blocks you need. Then stop cutting the 3 1/2″ pieces and only cut the 1 1/2″ pieces you need for the blocks that only need a single square.
If you cut the way I explained, from each block you can get, the pieces needed to make two large blocks you see on the left, the doll block on the lower right, the individual squares on the middle right, and what you see at the very top in the only waste you’ll have.
You can see why I said you have to cut carefully.
I hope that all makes sense.
If you’ve read all the way through this post, you’re in luck. I have a giveaway. I didn’t announce it at the beginning of the post because I wanted to treat loyal readers. It looks like you are likely one of them.
I have one layer cake by Moda from The Sea and Me line designed by Stacy Iest Hsu. It’s the exact line I used to make the quilt. I’d like to give it away to you! I purposely ordered an extra layer cake hoping I wouldn’t need it and could gift one. MANY thanks to Moda for providing it.
THE GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED: Many thanks to all who entered.
The only thing you need to do is leave a comment and tell me how long you’ve been a quilter. I’ll pick a winner in a couple of days. THANKS so much.
Here are some links that you might want to check out.
The Chemo Quilt Finish
The Quilts and More Finish
Link to get Magazine with Pattern
Link to Carla’s Longarm Quilting Inspirations Facebook Page
So now I think you know the whole story about our Perfect Match/Chemo Brain quilt.
Seven years.
When my husband had cancer surgery I knew I needed something to fill my time at home, so I started quilting and haven’t stopped.
I have been quilting about 30 years. I love your quilts.
Good Morning Jo! I read the whole post, I always do… you are such a delight. Thank you for sharing your talent and life with us… you inspire me daily. I don’t desire to “win” the layer cake, I just wanted to let you know that I so appreciate you and your blog. Thanks lovely lady for taking the time to blog!
I have been quilting since 2009, 13 years. However, as I think back, I made my first set of quilts, playpen quilts, back in 1983, 39 years ago. They were simple quilts that lasted for many years. Now, my days are filled with quilting galore for family, friends and charity. I have even been able to quilt may tops that you sent Jo. Thank for the chance to be the proud winner of the Moda Layer Cake bundle.
56 years sewing piecing quilts
Made my first quilt for expected baby 40 years ago. Used scraps from garment sewing. Now focused on charity projects through my Guild. Have made 2 Quilts of Valor quilts. Found Jo’s blog shortly after husband’s passing, I enjoy seeing the behind the scenes activity to published designs.
You have such a gift for colors. Your quilts make an okay pattern turn magnificent
I’ve been quilting for over 40 years… WOW that would explain why I by so much fabric. Lol
Hi Jo, I thoroughly enjoy reading your blog and learn so much from it. I have been quilting since about 2003, so have about 19 years in and have been long arming for 6 years now also. Thanks so much for all the inspiration that you give! Anna
Hi Jo. I have been a a quilter almost 30 years but sewing 56 years. Still love sewing. I read your blog every day and enjoy reading about your busy life. Thanks for all your time, dedication and tips!
I started quilting with a woman’s church group in 1966, 56 years ago. I was terrible at hand quilting those tiny stitches. I later made my first baby a quilt before he was born that same year and I did much better without a hoop. I learned how to put pieces of fabric together and machine stitch them together for utility quilts, but none were pieced. 17 years ago I took a 6 week class on piecing a quilt and 6 months later I had a beautiful red and white queen size quilt completely finished on my used Bernina. After that I pieced and sewed constantly and still read and sew and think about my next quilt. I love both versions of your quilt, but I’m a little embarrassed to say I can’t see what the problem is with the first quilt. You say it’s not centered correctly but I just can’t see it. I can’t believe you made this quilt with all that was happening to you at that time, I remember reading daily what you went through and it was just plain awful. So glad you are doing great and moving on with life. Yahoo!
You are amazing Jo. To persevere through your treatment to create two quilts is admirable. I’ve been quilting 10 years, I’ve. Even a widow for 4 and 1/2 years. Creating is my therapy too. Blessings to you and your family.
I’ve been quilting since 2001 when I made a baby quilt for my first grandchild. Quilts for other grandchildren soon followed and my interest in quilting grew, so I have been actively quilting ever since. I am impressed that you were able to make a quilt top while going through cancer treatments. I had chemo treatments for breast cancer in 2007 and after badly flubbing a Christmas table top decided to stop quilting for the duration.
I have been quilting for about 20 years. I did make a quilt 40 years ago with cardboard templates and scissors- hated every minute. Love quilting with the rotary cutter and good rulers.
Thanks Jo, for thinking of us! I’ve been quilting for over thirty years. Both quilts are lovely and I still can’t see the “mistake”, they look great!
10 years. I like your designs.
I’d done a little quilting over the years but really began to quilt regularly when I retired in 2005.
48 years for me and I also give credit to Eleanor Burns and another quilter from maybe Minnesota. Can’t think of her name but Heartland Quilts might have been the name of her company. You had to make sure to watch every Saturday on PBS otherwise if you missed an episode you were sunk. My first Quilt in. Day took three weeks to make.
I have been quilting for only three years, as a help to my mind while dealing with my husband’s battle with cancer. He lost that battle this spring, but I gained a new hobby to get me through the lonely times.
My niece graduated in 1977. I wanted to make a quilt for her graduation. I made a log cabin quilt, not knowing what I was doing and I was blessed by a home ec teacher at our local school who helped me get the “logs” and color correct. I am still quilting and continuing to learn as I go. The quilting community is so generous in sharing knowledge. Each of us want quilting to be appreciated and preserved. Your blog and others pay it forward. Thanks to all. I guess that is 45 years!
Hi Jo, I so enjoy reading your blogs! They are the highlight of my day. You are such an inspiration to me. I have been quilting for about 8 years. I started watching the Missouri Star tutorials and was hooked. Now I always have at least one quilt project in the works, if not more. Thank you for the opportunity to win a layer cake. What a joy for some lucky quilter!
I have been a quilter for over 30 years…I grew up with quilters..my mother and grandmothers were quilters. It was just in my blood….
Love both quilts. It did take a minute to find the difference. I have been quilting over 30 years.
I have been quilting for 25 years but more seriously in the last 10.
I have been quilting consistently since 1991 (30 Years) but actually started in 1980. Got sidetracked raising my two daughters, one of which now has the quilting bug also.
I’ve been quilting about 25 years. Always been a cross stitcher, but I learn something new every quilt I make! I used to watch Alex Anderson’s show every day, and was introduced to a different quilter, different ideas every day! Such fun!
I’ve been quilting more years than I care to think about, probably about thirty. That’s a beautiful fabric line,
I made my first quilt 20 years ago with my mother in laws help. S ok nice then I have made lots of baby quilts as I prefer that size but I am working on a king size right now.
I’ve been quilting 25+ years. I love your quilts and your blog. I feel like you could be my neighbor or a member of our Guild. Thank you for sharing your life with us!
Good morning Jo! I have been sewing for over 60 years, and quilting for over 25 years. I really enjoy reading your blog every day!
I’ve been quilting for about 35 years – made my first quilt right before Steph, my first daughter was born.
Jo, your quilt is beautiful, no matter how its made. Thank you for the super interesting story. I knew about some of it but you really went through a lot with this one. YOU are an amazing woman!
Love and prayers
I started quilting in January 2000 when I took my first class. I made a sampler quilt, and a Blooming Nine Patch, and then slowed down. Now quilting comes and goes with the seasons.
I have been hand quilting and piecing for 30+ years. My hand no longer lets me hand quilt but I enjoy piecing. I am piecing quilts for MCC and our guild hospice service program. I enjoy reading your blog.
I have been quilting for 28 years. I really like both versions of the quilt.
Cumulatively, I’ve been quilting for about 19 or 20 years. I took my first lessons in 1989 and made two quilts for my kids beds and a baby quilt for a friend. I went back to work and stopped quilting. I retired in 2005 and took up quilting again and I’m so glad I did.
I love both versions of your quilt. I can totally sympathize with the process you were going through from chemo. It’s been years since I did it but I still remember the foggy brain most of all.
I made a few quilts back in the 80s but then life got in the way of my sewing. I just retired two years ago and have been madly sewing since then. Sometimes I resent everything that takes me away from my sewing room, by which I mean house work and other daily errands. I think I’m trying to make up for lost time
Hi Jo, I’ve been quilting 15 plus years and sewing since I’ve been a teenager. Always read your posts but don’t comment very often. Thanks for all you do!!
Hi Jo, I’ve been quilting on and off for 40+ years. Taking breaks as needed when life gets crazy busy. Retired now and pretty much sew every day and loving it!
I started quilting in 2013 when I took a class.
I wanted to start quilting when my youngest went to first grade. That was 24 years ago and I have been addicted ever since! I enjoy making quilts donated to children who have been through a tragic situation, orphaned, in foster care or abused. There’s always a need! Thanks for the giveaway Jo. I really enjoy reading your blog. You are an amazing quilter!
I have been a quilter for over 30 years, but got serious about it when I retired from my job in 2009. Then I was making wall hangings and throws, quilting them on my domestic. In 2013 I purchased a longarm and have made well over100 quilts for family and friends. Many have been from your patterns and Bonnie Hunter’s. Hopefully there are many more quilts in the pipeline. I have been reading your blog daily after I saw your web address in a magazine with a quilt I was making. Enjoy reading about your family, and wish health and happiness to all.
I made my first quilt 64 years ago when I was in my early teens. However, I didn’t quilt for many years until my sisters who are avid quilters got me interested again about 25 years ago.
I’ve been quilting on and off for 30 years. But, seriously quilting for 5 years. My husband has dementia and it’s a good stress reliever for me.
Took my first quilt class in 1991, so 31 years – but, I still have a lot to learn! That first class was a class on learning how to use a rotary cutter and we made a true miniature quilt which ended up being about 8″x12″! I thought we would make a lap size quilt, but that didn’t stop me from getting the quilting bug! HUGS… and stitches
I started quilting in the late 80’s when I was pregnant with my first son. I had no idea what I was doing. I found a quilt shop to take classes from and have been quilting ever since.
54 years. I made my first quilt at 12. It was a doll quilt, a tv quilt, when DD came along, a baby quilt, it is on my couch right now.
I have been a quilter for 20 plus years.
Hi Jo! I have been quilting since around 1990. I was a senior and had been sewing 4H projects for several years. My grandma helped me make a quilt we tied. I went to Quilters Window in 1999 or 2000 and took a beginners class. Denise is the best! I have made great friends through quilting since then. I follow your blog and have recently sent fabric off to Spring Valley and Florida from your donations listing. I look forward to every post! You are my scrap quilting inspiration!
Your story reminds me of my own. Always made my boys Halloween costumes and one year I was profoundly ill with thyroiditis. So fatigued that I could hardly get out of bed but somehow managed to finish those costumes. Power rangers and a tiger. It was the last year that I made costumes. Been quilting over 40 years. Yikes, I’m old!! Ha!
Oh my Jo, what a great idea thanks for doing this. I’ve been sewing for 67 years and I started seriously quilting about 36 years ago. My 1st quilt was machine pieced and hand quilted. It was for my daughter. So glad you are still going strong despite the cancer you live with. Continuing prayer for you.
Love the story of the quilt journey. It’s great! I’ve been quilting since the mid 90’s and it’s been a fun time of learning new things and meeting new friends, like yourself. Thanks for the giveaway. I love that fabric line. Take care.
I’ve only been quilting for 20 years. A newbie, I guess.
I made my first quilt in 1992. Um really? 30 years already? How time flies.
I would love to win this Layer Cake! Thanks Jo.
I’ve been quilting since 2006 (sewing nearly 70 years). My sister called and told me she was going to take a quilting class. I replied, you’re going to take beautiful fabric, cut it apart, and sew it back together! And 300+ quilts later, I’m still loving it!
Hi Jo, I have been quilting for 20 years. But super active for the last 7 years since I retired. Love you blog. ❤️
Hi Jo, I am a self taught quilter who made my first quilt from 4″ cotton knit squares when I was pregnant with my 37 year old son, but I didn’t really get into quilting until about 15 years ago. I still consider myself an amateur even though I’ve probably made over 200 quilts, which almost all I’ve given away. That is the true joy of quilting, esp when the recipient does not know. I love your blog and have learned so much from you. Thanks for sharing your knowedge, your busy life, and your beautiful family with all of us. You are a true inspiration.
Love reading your blog, look forward to it every day. I have been quilting for about 43 years but still consider myself an beginner/intermediate as far as quilting goes. I too have a messy quilting space that tends to overwhelm me. I also have way too many ongoing projects. Just retired so hopefully will get the projects under control soon. Glad you are doing better.
Good Morning Jo,
I began my quilting journey at about age 12 when I would help grandma pick out fabrics for her quilts, put the quilts on the frame and help her tie them. She helped me with my first quilt. I always loved my time quilting with grandma!
I saved up stamps, can’t remember the type, and bought a singer sewing machine. I was a sophomore in high school. I now have a several old and new machines and love my time quilting, the scrappier the better! All in all I have been at the machine for 50 years. Ha ha
I’ve been quilting for about 30 years. When we lived in England one of the women on the base had a little class at her house. We each made a simple wall hanging that used HSTs and had an appliqued heart. I did a bit of quilting on and off but stepped it up when our oldest moved out of the house and his bedroom morphed into a sewing room!
I remember seeing your post and no I didn’t realize the blocks didn’t line up. Glad it was a salvageable mistake. I have been quilting for over 40 years and sewing for over 50. I started doing embroidery when I was 5. Lots of fun working with my hands. Like you cross stitch has taken over my life but quilting is still a very enjoyable past time. Keep up the fun blog posts.
my first attempt at quilting was started about 25 years ago but that mess then sat in the closet for at least 15 years before i threw it out. about 3 years ago i bought someone’s ufo off of ebay and did complete that one – does that make me a quilter?. then this year i helped my daughter with a t-shirt quilt. she is now trying her hand at creating a quilt and would love this charm pack! thanks for the chance to help her out!
I only made clothing for nearly 50 years. Then I went to work at a sewing machine dealership around 18 years ago, and the ladies I worked with made quilts. Immediately I started quilting and I am still going strong!
I was first introduced to quilting in the early 70’s when I helped my mother make a quilt for my older brother and his bride. I recently was given that quilt by my ex- sister-in-law and it is certainly a site to behold. LOL I started quilting again in 1990 and haven’t looked back. I love it. I am mostly self taught from books checked out at the library and then from blogs, etc. Right now I am busy making baby quilts for women in our church. I make a quilt for each new baby. Right now I have five to make! Chemo brain here too with treatments for breast cancer so I understand how difficult it was for you to make this quilt. Jo, I look forward to your blog daily. You are an inspiration to us all.
I have been quilting a very long time, went for the first class over 40 years ago. Enjoy your blog every day, Thanks for all the inspiration.
Hi Jo. I love reading your blog every morning with my first cup of coffee of the day. I’ve been quilting for at least 15 years but have really “upped my game” since retiring 6 years ago. Looking forward to many more years!
Hi Jo. I don’t want to be in the drawing because I have more fabric than sense but wanted to let you know that I look forward to your posts every day. Thank you for sharing your life.
I have been quilting since 2001 when my first grandchild was born. More grandchildren and more quilts soon followed and now I’m hooked. I had to stop quilting when I went through chemo treatments so I’m impressed that you were able to make this lovely quilt during your cancer treatment.
The first quilt I tried to make was in the 1960’s. I showed it to my grandmother who did not give me any advice at all. I had just bought a Nechhi sewing machine and my plan was to do a satin stitch around the appliqué tulips & leaves. Well, that did not work at all. My choice of fabrics was sheeting and it was very dense. So my satin stitches just bunched up & made a mess. So then I decided to hand appliqué the tulips! Well because I had planned to machine appliqué I had not enough fabric to turn under the edges. So about 40 years later I actually finished the quilt by using embroidery floss and made a running stitch in a contrasting color (tulips were dark pink & light pink). This worked just fine! Also now I knew how to square up my blocks and they went together nicely! I have been quilting since then and recently I pledged 25 quilts to Camp Omega.
I belong to our Rice County Piecemakes guild, and The Blue Chicks a group of 6, and Sisters Sewing, which is myself & my 4 sisters. Some other friends join in with the Sisters group. The pandemic was hard on our group meetings. All is as well as well as can be now & I sew almost every day. My sewing room is always messy, because when I clean it up then I get an idea for another project! I often work on several projects at a time. I don’t need the layer cake gift you have as I have way too much fabric! I offer fabric to many of my friends & always tell them to shop at my place before going to the shops.
I read your emails every day and admire all that you accomplish! You are doing the best you can and your family is blessed to have you, and your grandkids are so lucky!
I have been a quilter for ten years. I enjoy your blog so much.
Good morning all!
When I found Jo’s blog I actually went back almost to the beginning of her blogging and read the posts! I can honestly say I have not done that with any other blog. Jo is down to earth and real. I think we all appreciate that!
I have been quilting for about 16 years. First quilt made was just squares, all the fabric had different textures as it was made for my daughter and she LOVES texture. Had some corduroy fabrics and velvet type, etc. Backed it with fleece and tied it. She loved it and uses it still. It’s rather heavy with batting and the fleece, kind of like having a weighted blanket. My next 2 were around the world. I retired 16 months ago and have since completed 30 tops and quilted about half of them on my domestic machine. I donated a group of 9 tops. At this time have several more that will be donated. I LOVE fabric. 2 years ago my husband would have said that I was a “fabric collector”. He would now say I am a quilter. Plus when he saw the beautiful fabrics made into quilts, he said, “I see how this can be addicting.”
I’m glad your husband came around. I hope my husband will at some point.
I have been quilting off and on since I made my first baby doll quilt in 1967 – so 55 years.
I made my first quilt over 40 years go. A nine patch for each of my kids beds.
I’ve been a quilter for about 25 years. Although I started sewing clothes when I was a child, I didn’t really discover (and fall in love with!) quilting right away. But with the inspiration of quilt-y friends, and with the enjoyment of making quilt-y gifts, I started quilting, and I love it!
I’ve been a quilter for about 40 years. Does that give away my age? Quilting was my salvation during Covid when we couldn’t see our families.
I’ve been quilting about 40 years.
Jo, I started quilting in 1992. My sister thought my mother needed a hobby after my father passed so we all learned together.
I became a much “better ” quilter after finding Bonnie Hunter and attending a retreat you sponsored with her. I am loving retirement, family and sewing time.❤
I’ve been learning the quilting process since about 1950. I was 4 years old when my grandmother gave me needle and thread and muslin with some stamped pictures on it. She taught me to embroderey and helped me sew the pieces together to make a doll quilt. I don’t think I’ve stopped making quilts since. I have no idea how many i have made, wish I’d kept a journal. But at 76, I’ve slowed down. Health issues have gotten in the way so I don’t sew as I did for years. I love your blog.
I have been quilting since 1986. I took a community education class with three friends so I could make a quilt for the baby I was expecting. We learned by making a sampler quilt. I never finished it because I didn’t like my fabric choices when I completed the blocks! I did donate it to my church and they finished it and used it in a raffle. I made a beautiful baby quilt though! BYW-none of friends ever stuck with quilting!
I have been quilting for 10: years. I enjoy your blog so much.
I started dabbling in quilting about 20 years ago. I got into serious quilting when I retired 8 years ago. I have several vintage machines and a respectable stash of fabric
i have been quilting for 50 years, and love it. my family knows that quilting is my passion and love to be the recieve quilts. i get a lot done but i am not as organized or task oriented as you are . i like readsing your blog post and hearing about your family. you are an inspiration to many. thank you for all you do .
I have been making quilt blocks and piecing quilt tops off and on for 40 years, mostly off during the years my boys were growing up. Over the past two years I’ve been piecing smaller quilt tops and quilting them on my sewing machine. I enjoy the process from start to finish!
I made my first bed-sized quilt, a queen, in 2015. When I got done piecing it I thought, is that all there is? Now you send it to a quilter? It wasn’t enough for me so I hand quilted it. It took me about 9 months to learn how to hand quilt and complete it. I was hooked! Although now I do send them out or do them on my domestic these past 6 years. I enjoy your blog, your quilts, your cross stitch, the pictures you post of your sewing, your life and family. You are a blessing and I look forward to “connecting” with you each day through the blog.
Gosh! I can’t believe it’s been 30 years! Today. My first nephew turns 29. I decided to make a quilt for him when my sister was pregnant. Thanks for a great story. And, I think both quilts are fabulous, and the “wrong” one will be deeply appreciated by someone in Ukraine.
I’ve been a quilter for over 35 years. I love your quilt and like the dark gray the best!
Another great quilt ,Jo and quite a story!
I’ve made quilted things for about 58 years but have been a serious quilter for about 38 years.
Hi Jo! I started sewing in the 90’s when I was in 4H. My mom was a terrific seamstress! My grandma helped me make a pretty basic quilt that we tied. In about 1999 or 2000, I took a beginners quilting class at the Quilters Window in New Hampton! I was hooked! I have so many friends from quilting retreats and shop sewing days. I have used your donation page to send on fabric that I won’t use! I love the community you have built. You are my scrap quilting inspiration!
I’ve been quilting only 6 years now. I bought a new Husqvarna machine when I retired from 39 years of teaching in 2016. Until then, I used my mom’s old machine to hem baseball pants and fix farm pants. Reading blogs like yours has taught me so much about quilting. I appreciate quilters like you who share your knowledge.
It’s unbelievable how you could make such a beautiful quilt going through your cancer journey, you are truly amazing!!! I love the light grey but the dark grey is beautiful to and so awesome you donated to the Ukraine cause! I have been quilting over 20 years but had taken a short break as I fell in love with wool applique, but I found myself missing quilting so I am back at it! I did try cross stitching because of your blog but my expectations were too high, never did it before, and wanted to do it like you? Couldn’t see well enough so just got new glasses and hope to give it another try but maybe at a lower count? Thank You Jo for all you do, your blog is so real and love to read about your grand babies adventures, I never miss it!
Ditto for me.. still can’t find what’s wrong with the original quilt! I think I like the dark grey background the best. I have been quilting since 1999 or so.
I was strictly sewed garments, starting in 1970’s as. HS student. Even made my own wedding gown in 1981 and all 3 of my kids christening clothing from leftover fabric from that. I pieced my first lap quilt in 1990 with Christmas fabrics on a used Elna which I bought at an auction. I finally hand quilted it in 2013 and really got hooked. Shortly after, I treated myself to a new Bernina and have been quilting ever since. It is the best therapy in the world! Your quilts in the story are both lovely!
I’ve been quilting for about 18 years! I feel like I’ve always been a quilter! I still have a hard time seeing the mistake that you made with the first quilt! Ha
I’ve been quilting almost 50 years! I love donating to my favorite charities and love your quilt designs.
Thank-you for thinking of us to have a give away. Happy quilting.
I have been quilting seriously for the last 22 years but sewing since I could sit at a machine.. I’m blessed that my 7 yr old granddaughter wants to sew with me! How fun is that?
I have been quilting for about 25 years and still enjoying it and learning new things along the way. I so enjoy your blog.
Both of your quilts look great.
Quilting has been my passion for about 20 years but I’ve been more productive since I retired 10 years ago. I enjoy your blog so very much and appreciate your efforts to continue. I love it all-quilting, family life, recipes, stitching and so much more. You amaze me!
I have been quilting since around 1972, first quilt rail block. plus that also when I pick up cross stitch.
I am a new quilter. All I have made so far are three baby quilts. My mom is an avid quilter. She has made hundreds. I love quilts so much, but they intimidate me. I have my 4th and 5th in progress now. Wish me luck to overcome my fears!
I have been quilting on and off since 1981. The last 7 years have been much more productive when my children were grown up and work didn’t get in the way of things. I feel I am still learning something new every day. Thanks for the opportunity to win the beautiful layer cake!
My mother used to make clothes for me and my four siblings. When I was a young girl, I would watch her cut out the fabric and any scraps that hit the floor were mine. I would sew doll clothes and doll blankets with them. Mom taught me to make my clothes. When she retired she started quilting and got me started also. I’ve been sewing forever, quilting about 25 years.
Hi Jo, I have been quilting for about 15 years, although my stash looks like it should be long to someone who has been quilting for 30 years! HA. I will be retiring in a year and am so excited to be able to do more, especially for the grands. I started reading your blog about 3 years ago and enjoy it everyday!! I’ve even taken part in one of your online auctions and won a vintage children’s quilt. Take care and be well.
I began sewing at age 7… that’s 55 years ago!!!
I made many quilt blocks with my Mammaw in 7-8th grade… I sewed – she ironed! We made a great team! Sewing quickly became my passion! In High School I made many challenging clothes just loving every stitch! (including bridal dresses, twirler outfit, mens suits, even a band uniform). In 1986 I designed a quilted diaper bag personalized with cross stitched name & character- it became my trade mark gift. I have made over 170 through the years for baby gifts. Through my sewing business “Sew Precious” I did custom sewing for many years but now focus mainly on quilts! I also teach beginning sewing skills to elementary kids in my “Dorcas class” making nine patch rag quilts. In my little rural town of Melrose, NM we have a small group of hand quilters who gather twice a month for quilting. Like you Jo… I also love cross stitching!!! Most days I touch some kind of needle, thread & fabric with my hands! You inspired me to finish my cross stitch UFProjects and get them framed!! (8 on the wall the wall this year!) I read every post and feel we are kindred sisters in many ways! Thank you for all your effort & time to share the joy of quilting & cross stitching with us!
Have a very BLESSED DAY!!!