Day 3…only 2 more left…Today is a BOBBON HOLDER
…Now this is magnetic…so it is for metal bobbins…Did you buy a Juki last year or the year before? You for sure will need this one if you did…my Bernina has metal bobbins too…I don’t think I will ever own a machine with plastic bobbins, It’s kind of a deal breaker for me…now do not take that the wrong way if you have plastic bobbins,…I don’t want anyone mad at me for being honest and HEY you probably paid A LOT more for your machine than I did for mine…I like sturdy, heavy, built tough sewing machines…It’s kind of how I am built too, If I think about it…the featherweights have metal bobbins also…and they have stood the test of time…So back to the bobbin holder…Here is all the stuff I have sitting on the right hand side of my machine…
I love to load all of my bobbins and stitch away…this holder keeps them nicely stored…in view, accessible and even kind of pretty I think…It is much prettier when the bobbins are all full, but I just LOVE my bobbin holder and think anyone with metal bobbins would want one…They are reg. $12.oo on sale for $9.75. HERE is a link to get your own bobbin holder. I probably should have picked up my little area…but I thought I would crop the picture…but after seeing it…I liked it…it looks “lived in”…
I want to thank you all again for listing your favorite designers yesterday…there were some I didn’t even know…I’ll be checking them out…But how fortunate are we to have all these great people in this industry and all the wonderful fabric companies to rely on for our fix…
As you may know I collect antique quilts…I am amazed at what these women did with a block pattern from a newspaper, scraps, needles, thread and a scissors…I am pretty sure I may not be quilting if I had to do it ALL with out all of our wonderful notions, fabrics and many books and patterns to replicate or use as inspiration. I am very blessed also to be doing what I am…I love it…I still want to QUILT/STITCH everyday!
Do you want to win the magnetic bobbin holder? If so…tell me did you come from a long line of quilters? Did your Mother teach you? Did you discover it all on your own? Is it the most thing you are passionate about and can’t get enough??? or is it something you do every now and then…I sometimes wonder If I’m totally crazy by myself or if there are many like me?
Thinking again of deal breakers again… I just thought of something you really don’t need to know about me …I once a long time ago dated a guy I really liked…handsome..good guy…funny..everybody liked him…but only after a few dates I had to break it off…He had this a laugh that was very irritating to me…and remember I said he was funny, so he laughed a lot…there are some things that are just deal breakers…but I sometimes wonder If I would have given it a chance would one get used to it… I think the answer is…NO!…I’m with the one I’m supposed to be with!!! Love you Honey..even when you drive me totally crazy some days! (just checking to see if you read my posts!)
173 responses to “Day 3…Needful Things…”
My mom sewed our clothing and that is how I began my journey. I always made clothes for the children, mother/daughter outfits for Christmas. Can still remember my red corduroy pants outfit with a matching jumper for my daughter. From there I made my first wall hanging to give to my parents and as they say, the rest is history. Have been quilting since 1972, first with a sewing machine on the kitchen table, and now have a room of my own. I think I was neater then, always putting things away at dinner time. But having all my sewing stuff around me makes me happy.
I don’t think I come from a long line of quilters, although my dad made fantastic orange and yellow quilts for my sister and I when we were little – he used to knit mitts too!!! He’s still my hero and I’m 50!! Even though I may not have come from a long lilne of quilters I hope to leave a long line behind me!!
I did not come from a. * long line of quilters* , when I think of ( quilters) there were quilts, my grandmother used to give me small squares to embroider when I was ( underfoot) and sometimes they would turn into a quilt ( quite magically) I do not remember ever seeing anyone actually making a quilt. My mom made clothes. I started sewing early, always wanting to make things. Made clothes for myself, siblings and friends all through school. When I was pregnant for my first I made a quilt. It is a horrible, ugly thing that my daughter still has (&loves) 38 years later. As my children grew I continued to make clothes, toys, costumes… And the occasional quilt – mostly when someone was having a baby or when a doll needed one. I never saw a. * quilt shop, magazine* anything that inspired me or showed me this fabulous world (how stumbling into a shop in the ’70s could have changed our lives!)
I have a friend who is A Quilter, for many, many years. About 19 years ago she started saying to me – Colleen, you should do this. You would love this. You would be good at quilting…. Sometimes I would while at the library, go browse the ( crafty) area & pull out a quilting book. I would start looking, see a quilt I kind of liked, would start to read and see….’cut (810) 2″ squares’…… That book would go back on the shelf and I would tell my friend…. ” it is Never going to happen! ”
Then, one day, about 15-16 years ago I saw a quilt, oh what a beautiful quilt! And started reading about it; it was a BOM and after reading what that meant I thought…. Now that I could do! And I signed up.
The first block came, was beautiful! The second block came & I was hooked ( and obsessed) . waiting a whole month was too long! Found a quilt shop, signed up for classes, jumped in with both feet.
Numbers still ( overwhelm) me, I try to always break it down, not think about the ( whole) all at once. And my granddaughters are learning/ loving quilting. I share with everyone who will listen, look. I am so obsessed I quilt in my sleep. I ( see) quilts everywhere I look.
No, I don’t come from a family of quilters. My mother worked full time, we had a farm, she made all of our clothes and there was just no time left. After she retired, she made a couple quilts, but she really never got into it. Now, I work full time, and when my kids were small, I made all their clothes so again, not much time left for quilting. Now I am nearing retirement and have started quilting and am enjoying it a lot! I still only have bits and pieces of time, but I fit it in when I can. Thanks for the chance to win the bobbin holder! It looks great! My sewing machine also has metal bobbins.
When I was 29 I had some surgery & my mom was taking a sampler quilt class- she would cut the pieces out bring them to me & I hand stitched them – she then hand stitched the quilt & gave it to me – I used it until it was a absolute rag!!! I wish I had never used it the way I did but I guess that’s what they are for!
I am 55 and my mom is 78 she is a much better sewer than I am! When I make something & need help to moms I go!
I was older when my grandma passed away but she never quilted!
As far as I know, there are no quilters in my ancestry. My mother and aunt did lots of knitting & crocheting (that’s where I got started with crafts). I tried just about them all without finding something I really liked to keep doing until I went to an auction and they had a cheap, plastic sewing machine for sale, and I said, “why not” and bought it. I then decided to learn to use it. Took it to a dealer to have it cleaned and take a couple of classes. They started a BOM and I decided to try it. That got me hooked on quilting. That sewing machine didn’t last long, as it was cheap and old and didn’t work too well. I soon bought a Top of the Line sewing machine and never looked back. Don’t know where that quilting gene came from.
My mother and grandmother were avid knitters. My cousin-in-law is a quilter and through her I fell in love with hand quilting. My goal for 2015 is to hand quilt more. I love gadgets so your Needful Things are so much fun to follow….
Redhead
I am the first quilter I ever knew! Now I have both of my sisters quilting! It is something I love to do, and for some reason it always seems to come second in my life, so I am not prolific as you are, but I do o.k. I spend so much time teaching my sisters I feel like I am piecing all of the time, but since they are beginners I do a lot of their cutting, squaring up, etc. ;as they become more confident I let go of the tasks they are nervous about …. so come January I will have lots more time for my own projects. So I will need a bobbin holder!
My son dated a girl with the most ANNOYING laugh, a high pitch giggle, really….so glad they outgrew each other! I vowed to treat my daughters-in-law better than I was treated…but that giggle! I would have bought stock in Tylenol!
Quilting is definitely a passion for me! And I come from a long line of quilters. My paternal grandmother lived with us when I was a kid, she taught me to hand piece. My maternal gram lived within walking distance and I’d walk to her house to quilt when she had a quilt in the frames. Spent many hours also playing under the frames at quilting bees. Oh, the memories!
Another wonderful product, will be getting a few of those. My quilting goes way back to my grand mother, I remember her quilting and I have two of her quilts. And then my mom quilted, so that is where I picked up my sewing interest and quilting, watching and helping my mom, she made so many beautiful quilts and quilted them all my hand.
There a e a few quilters in my family history. I have a quilt that my father’s grandmother made. I don’t know how old it is, but if my father was still alive he’d be 98 on Christmas Day. When we were kids there were quilts on our beds. But I don’t really know where they came from or who made them or…………. When I was a kid I didn’t pay much attention, except one of them had embroidered birds on it and that was my favorite. The last time I saw it, it was in shreds! And after my Mom became an empty nester, she started making quilts – all by hand! Cut with scissors, stitch blocks by hand……………….. Unfortunately, she bought poor quality fabric, and they didn’t stand up to the test of time (think “quilts for grandchildren” – they got hard use). Mostly I have learned what I know from taking classes (mostly at Primitive Gatherings!).
In my family, I’m the first quilter. However, my sister in law started quilting when her youngest daughter was born, and my own daughters are quilters too! Now thats promising, isn’t it? 😉
My mom loved to sew for as long as I can remember, she started me early with scraps for Barbie clothes . She was also did needlework. I inherited what is known as the “cut , color and paste(sew)” gene in my family and have been a serial crafter ever since. I love to learn new things and create. My mom died before I discovered quilting, I’d like to think she would have joined in, I know she would. I love the mixture of wool and thread in with the cotton we love to quilt with. It provides a depth and texture that is amazing …… I missed out on the designer comments from yesterday. You are one of my favs! I want to be like you when I grow up (the second time)!
My mother and grandmothers were not quilters. They didn’t sew either. My grandmother did knit and my mom did hand embroidery. I took home ex classes in junior high and high school and knew then I was born to sew. I bought my first sewing machine with the money I earned at my first job in 1970. I paid $70.00 for a Sears Kenmore and used that baby for 30 years!. I took a quilting class in 1993, fell in love and have been quilting ever since. I think about it all day at work! This is the cutest bobbin hold I ever saw! Would love to win one!
( I too love my featherweight, I have 2 !! )
You are not alone. I need to sew every day or the day is not complete. It doesn’t always happen, but that’s my goal. My Mother and both Grandmothers quilted, so I inherited the gene. BTW, my Megaquilter and all vintage machines could use that bobbin holder.
My grandmother and her mother quilted. My aunt liked to sew, my mom not so much. I picked up the quilting bug and have been at it for 20 years. Most of my good friends and free time and extra spending money goes to this great hobby!!!
I sew at least 10 minutes a day. Both of my grandmothers sewed, but weren’t quilters. I am a self taught quilter. I think about it all the time. I definitely can’t get enough!
My grandmother made quilts and I always loved them! My mother sewed our clothes but not quilts. So, when I got married and was pregnant with my first child, I wanted to make a quilt. My grandmother lived too far away for me to have lessons from her, so I taught myself. To this day, I’ve never been to a quilting class. The closest shop that offers classes is 1.5 hrs away and it has always been so hard for me to get away with children at home. I figured this just wasn’t the season of my life for that so i LOVE online tutorials and have signed up for a couple of craftsy classes.
My mother worked in a factory setting zippers. She made all our clothes and she also made dolls and stuffed animals to sell. She did make some machine appliqued quilts but they were not quilted. I’d given her quilts I made and she displayed and used them proudly.
I learned to sew on newspaper using my mothers treadle machine. She made all, and I mean ALL of our clothes from old clothes she got at the Goodwill or Salvation army and we were always well dressed. She never had time to quilt except for quilts she made out of men discarded old overcoats and then she tied them since quilting them took too long. Her batting was old blankets that were worn out and her backing was flour sacks.
I bought the Juki last year during our 12 days and I purchased the bobbin tray today. Thanks for sharing.
I have sewn for as long as I remember. I had a mother that allowed me to sew at about the age of 5, she put up with the mess and father that tolerated a pin or two in his foot from finding them in the floor rug. I actually quilted before my mom, all though once she started quilting, she did a lot of charity quilting. I was helped a great deal with my interest in quilting from my husband’s aunt.
My cousin taught me about 12 years ago. Love everything about it!
I found quilting on my own and have been sewing with a passion, daily, I think-for over 35 years. I LOVE it, it keeps me sane and out of trouble!! Will be buying the bobbin holder for my Juki bobbins!!
I learned quilting on my own but I do have aunts that quilt.
My mm & grandmother used to hand stitch quilts together during the winter, and in the spring they would take them to the long arm quilter. I absolutely have a passion for quilting. Merry Christmas!
Could not find the bobbin holder on the link??
thanks Christine for letting me know…they are loaded in advance and then we need to enable them…this one was missed…and my web girl is at the hospital with her husband for surgery…it should be live soon…I do not know anything about our new site yet…so I cannot do it…please check back in a little bit and it should be good to go…
My mom and her four sisters are quilters and would get together once a year to hand quilt a beautiful quilt one cf them had pieced. They learned from their mother. I learned and love to carry on the art of quilting!
No one in my family was a quilter. I started out cross stitching as an art. I use to go to shows and see all of the beautiful quilts I could not afford. When Stitches Crossing started quilt classes, I was hooked. I have loved all the different classes I have taken over the years from all different teachers. So much to learn.
I do want to take a class from you Lisa.
My paternal grandmother was a quilter, though I didn’t know it until after she had died. My maternal grandmother, my mom and her sisters were all very talented sewists. So, it’s in my blood! I love quilting and it’s my favorite hobby, but I am most passionate about my grandchildren!
Like you, I also have a Bernina and Juki that use metal bobbins. The bobbin case is really nice and much, much better than the ziplock bag I currently use. My mother did beautiful handwork, but never quilted or used a sewing machine. I did have a postage stamp quilt that my paternal grandmother made, but it was in bad shape and eventually fell apart. I must have picked up my quilting gene from her.
My grandmother taught me to sew but, she wasn’t a quilter. I learned to quilt from Sandi Fox, a two week course where we explored a variety of blocks all hand pieced. I have been a collector of antique quilts and while trying to date a couple of pieces got involved with an informal quilt group. There I discovered there is “technology” and notions that make the process easier, I fell down the rabbit hole into the world of quilting!
Passionate is the word I use to describe my love of quilting also. My paternal grandmother was a quilter and I have several of her quilts, but I didn’t become a quilter until after she passed away. I would love to have a visit with her and show her all my quilts AND the notions and tools she never knew! I think she would be delighted.
I have the greatest mom who has quilted for as long as I can remember. She is Norwegian and likes to do things on her own. But I also have two wonderful sisters and my youngest sister and a good friend got me quilting. We would get together at my sis’s place and go at it, laugh and have so much fun! I’ve been quilting for about 5 years. My husband says if I don’t get to quilt, I get a little crabby. I have a Bernina and keep my bobbins in the case you purchase them in. This would be handy, especially when I am machine appliqueing.
After your last paragraph, not sure if you are on Santa’s naughty or nice list! Nick has gotta love ya! As for my love of quilting. I have always, since a little girl loved quilts. My Granny made quilts, but I did not know that until I was grown and she had already passed on. My Aunt, gave me the few she had that were hers. They are well loved.
I sew for a living in the interior design field. A few years back I worked with another interior design seamstress who quilted as a hobby. I was inspired by her beautiful creations. I had always thought I would learn when I retired but she convinced me I shouldn’t wait that long. I am mostly self taught by reading and Internet tutorials. Ironically, most of what I have learned has come from you! For that I am grateful! At this point I do not have enough free hours each day to enjoy quilting. Wool applique has been a wonderful new skill I learned this year with your summer BOW. I can do this while watching tv with my husband and not feel like I’m neglecting him while I’m off sewing. My idea of heaven is that one will have time to engage in all the things we did not have time to do here. If you are crazy in your love of quilting, you are not alone!
The older I get the more Deal Breakers I seem to encounter!
I learned to quilt 30 years ago. My mom started after me. The problem is….my job gets in the way of my quilting. There just isn’t enough time in the day! I LOVE it!
I come from a long line of sewers but quilting skipped a generation from my grandmother to me. However, on one of my darkest days during a divorce I wondered into a quilt shop. I don’t know what clicked but I knew I had come home and everything would be ok. I am so grateful for all the people that have been put in path from quilting. Love it more and more each day.
My mom was a beautiful seamstress – but I came along late in her life – she made patterns for people who were unable to get them in their size – would take beadwork and design the dress. My sister like clothing construction and showed me how to make a “shift”. Years later we took a quilting class together, and then it became my passion. My daughter is not interested at this time, but both of my grandchildren sewed when they were little. (Now 15 and 18) In fact, my granddaughter recently told my son (her dad) just don’t you worry about all grandma’s stash getting used up, that is coming my way. He told her yea, if you can figure a way to run the machine by cell phone….lol.
I taught myself to quilt when I was in my forties. I was COO of a large non profit. We got a lot of governent funding, federal, state and local and were audited and otherwise overseen by all of them. I needed something to do that others couldn’t control and so quilting became my stress reliever. Can’t tell you how much joy it has brought to my life. And when I discovered wool appliqué……..heaven!
My grandma was a quilter and my mom was a home ec teacher and I learned to sew when I was 5. My mom never quilted, but she’s thinking of taking her first class (shes 81!). You are not alone in your passion! I try to spend at least 2 hours a day quilting (sometimes turns into more!). My quilting teacher gave me very good advice – you have to make time for it if it’s your passion and pretty much everything else (housework) can wait!
I got the sewing bug from my mom. When all us of kids were small, she made all our clothes. I would stand on her right side by the sewing machine. Then as I got a little older, I remember her making quilts. I would help her cut out squares of fabric from our clothes scraps with a cardboard template and scissors. How accurate was that! Not! She sewed on a Singer treadle sewing machine (which I now have). When I was in high school, I took home economics and made all of my school clothes on this sewing machine. Later when I was working, before I married, my to be husband went with me and helped me pick out a repossessed machine and I made all my work clothes. Then after marrying him, when we had our kids, I made most of my maternity clothes. When our kids were small, I stopped sewing. I tried to fit in cross stitch and embroidery with not much time. For my 50th birthday, I got my first really nice sewing/embroidery Bernina machine. After undergraduate school at Texas A&M, my son went to medical school in Des Moines. On one of our visits up there to see him, I visited a quilt shop and started a BOM. The rest is history. I will need to get a bobbin holder for my Bernina and my Juki.
I do come from a long line of quilters! I had 2 great aunts who never married and were born in the 1880s who never married. They spent many hours by the fire hand piecing and hand quilting. I’ve been told that they made quilts for neices and nephews when they graduated from high school but by the time my father was ready for his, they had quit doing it. My aunt, who died 2 years ago, had one. She willed it to a cousin but I got the BEST deal—my aunt hand pieced her own quilt in high school and my 2 great aunts hand quilted it for her. That’s the one I got!!
My grandmothers quilted out of necessity. My mother has made a quilt for every child, grandchild, and great-grandchild. I am continuing the trend—2 children and 3 grandchildren. I LOVE our family tradition!!
I first found quilting during the bicentennial and started some blocks but never completed a quilt. It wasn’t until I moved in 1983 and found neighbors who were in a quilt guild that I plunged in. We started a friendship group that still meet once a month. Many of us also have another activity meeting three times a month for a learning of techniques for art quilts. How wonderful it is to be with these women. I hope all of us are so lucky to have friends like these.
My mother made mission quilts in her later years but her expertise was hand embroidery and I have learned how to perfect many stitches from her. I took a quilt class in 1989 and have been quilting every since. Prior to that I made my kids clothes, doll clothes, even Barbie clothes; what was I thinking. I still sew with my Bernina that was purchased right after my quilt class and I use it everyday; now that I am retired I can sew morning to night and there are days that is just what I do. What a work horse that machine is. My granddaughter started quilting when she was 7 and has continued. Now being 25 and 2 little girls not as much time but we make time by going to a retreat once a year together. I guess the family tradition has started with us. I have the round rubber bobbin holder; it’s ugly but it works.
My great grandmother, whose husband was killed in the Civil War was a quilter and I have one that is a crazy quilt embellished with many colors of chenille thread.
My great grandmother, whose husband died in the Civil War was a quilter and I have some of her work. The most unusual thing to me is all the colors of chenille thread she used.
I learned to quilt from my mother. Both of my grandmas did some quilting too and one of them was a seamstress and also she did a lot of handwork like embroidery and candle wicking. I’m so lucky to have such talented women in my life!!
I learned to quilt from my sweet mother-in-law….many years ago. That was our favorite thing to do together! Love the bobbin holder, neat idea!
I did not come from a long line of quilters, but I did come from a long of sewers. My mom taught me to sew, and in high school I sewed clothes and my tennis dresses. Eventually I found my way to quilting. I have not seen the magnetic bobbin holder, thanks for sharing.
My Grandmother and her sisters quilted. Mom sewed a lot, but mostly clothes, she was into painting. I have a lot of my Grandmothers quilts and my Moms painting, I miss them both every day.
The magnetic holder looks like it would help my bobbins stay organized, which would be great.
I learned to sew by making Barbie clothes….thinking back…that was a tough thing to learn. My mom taught me…as she sewed most of of our clothes. However she was not a quilter. My grandma took up quiltingfairlylatebin her life…but I think that’s where I got my bug. Quilting is definitely an obsession for me.
My teacher was Gr Grandma. She was a HS math teacher who lived in the city of Niagara Falls and we lived on a farm. Each summer I got to stay with her for a week! She was a no nonsense kinda lady and your hands were never idle! She taught me how to knit, crochet, Taft and quilt. She was an amazing woman…even tutored Niagara University calculus student s in her home in her 90’s LOL. Mom was busy with 7 kids and a farmers wife so I was lucky to learn from Gr Gr! I quilt most everyday and now love working on wool
I lived a few hours from my grandmother so I didn’t see her often but I admired her quilting from a very young age. I would spend 2 weeks with her during the summers as a child and watch her quilt at home and go to the church hall for the quilting bee. She made each grandchild a special quilt for graduation. Being # 15 of 18 I couldn’t wait to get mine! As I got older my own summer commitments got in the way and I no longer spent summers there. Several years later before my senior year I asked if I could spend 2 weeks again and if she could teach me to quilt. Unfortunately my time was cut short as right at that time she was diagnosed with colon cancer and one week was really all she could do. We did manage to make a pillow together and she provided me with some tools and the fabric to continue. Again my own activities got in the way and although I cross stitched I didn’t master the art of quilting. I never did get my graduation quilt as she passed away in March. 13 years later I started a new job working with a few who quilt. I mentioned that I always wanted to learn how and shared the story of my grandmother. My first gift from my new boss was a gift certificate to a local quilt shop. One that could have covered the cost of a book or something. I had no idea what to get. I came home with a Bernina! I was hooked! The rest is history. I hardly ever go a day without sewing somehow even if it’s just for 10 minutes. My family used to get a little annoyed and even embarrassed with me when I would be hand sewing in public. But I think they’re finally getting over it!
I basically learned on my own. My mom did some garment sewing, but no quilting, I grew up in 4-H doing garment sewing and after my kids were grown gravitated over into quilting. Thanks so much for sharing
My mother knitted and sewed, but never quilted. I began taking classes in college and learned from the ruby mckim books
I made my first sewing project when I was 8 years old in my 4-H club. I started to quilt after I had a few children and decided I wanted to make a quilt for my oldest. My mother had been making quilts for many years, so I looked to her for advice. My first quilt was a bow-tie pattern, with set in seams and all hand pieced. Hand piecing is still my favorite, although I do use my old Singers when I want to piece by machine. So, a hand magnetic spool holder would work for me.
My mother didn’t quilt but my grandmother and great aunt were quilters. They both were farmers and and made their quilts from feed sacks and leftovers from their clothing. I love the fabrics and collect antique tops. And I love to quilt.
Learned from a friend who owned a quilt shop. She was a wonderful person and i worked for her. In an effort to be more useful to her customers she taught us many things. I am crazy and think about quilting all the time. I have to throttle back when I am with others who don’t understand.
I didn’t come from a family of quilters. There were no quilts in my house. We had wool blankets. I picked up quilting in my early 30’s just because I wanted what was hanging in the local quilt shop. I started out with small wall hangings and then tried a big quilt. Now it has become an obsession. I have a Juki machine and I keep my bobbins in a plastic baggie so that bobbin holder would come in handy.Thanks.
I was taught to embroider when I was about six and taught to use the sewing machine by the time I was eight. My mother did beautiful handwork, but put her time into making clothing and doll clothes for me. My grandmother embroidered everything. So the love of stitching was there, just not put into quilting. I have always loved quilts, though and a day without stitching, by hand or machine, just does not feel complete.
I am a self taught quilter. I had a grandmother that crocheted and another who crocheted and did embroidery. I learned a little bit of these crafts from the grandmothers but they all sparked my creative spirit which led me to quilting about 8 years ago. I haven’t looked back since. I would be happy to be able to sew every day but the full time job receives eats up the majority of my day. I hope to inspire my daughters and granddaughters to become quilters.
My mother didn’t quilt but my grandmother did. My daughter doesn’t but my grand daughter tries sewing and crafts. We seem to skip some. There were years I thought the quilt police would come for me if everything wasn’t hand done and I remember the first time I pieced by machine. We have come a long way! I’d love this bobbin holder. I would like that little wooden ruler/stuff holder as well if they are available.
I started sewing as a child making doll clothes. And then as a teen I made my own cloths.
The quilting bug got me about 20 years ago when we moved next door to a quilter and antique quilt collector
Now a day doesn’t go by that I’m not stitching on something and I’m getting my granddaughter quilting too.
Merry Christmas and blessings for the New Year!
My mother always send our clothes so I learned to sew at a young age. She never made quilts and I had always been fascinated by them. Fast forward many years, I’m married and pregnant with my second child and I finally just had to learn to quilt. We were living in Pennsylvania by then and I found this amazing quilt shop. We could make any size quilt but of course I chose a baby quilt. We had to stitch it all by hand, no sewing machine. It was the most fun I’ve ever had and ever since then, I’ve been smitten with quilting. I do many crafts so sometimes I’ll take a be phreak to knit, crochet or cross stitch but I always come back to quilting, there’s just something magical about it.
Both of my grandmothers were quilters. They were good friends and quilted together using the wooden ceiling frames… Under the frames was my dollhouse and I spent many hours playing under their quilts, it was awesome! My paternal grandmother never gave up her treadle sewing machine and used it the day before she died at the age of 91. Was she blessed? Oh, yes!!! My daughter asked me to take a quilting class with her almost 20 years ago and while I wondered “why, I don’t sew” I took the class. I’ve been hooked since—— Nick, we all know Lisa is where she needs to be! I’ve seen that ROCK on her left hand and you are reaching sainthood, I’m sure…. Haha! Love the “needful” things!
I come from a long line of sewers and crafters, but my aunt was the only one in my family who quilted. I learned to sew at a very young age and sewing has always been a big part of my life, but I didn’t start quilting until my first child was born 30 years ago. While I raised my kids I still mostly made clothes and really got the quilting bug about 15 years ago.
You are not alone. I think and do quilting all the time, and several of my friends do, too. It’s a wonderful life!
Remember those mail-order book clubs that were popular in the 80’s? I got sucked into one of those and at some point ordered a quilt book by Debbie Mumm. I learned the basics from that book and the rest is history. I blame it all on Debbie.
That is such a cool bobbin holder! My grandmother was a wonderful seamstress who sewed many of her own clothes. I wouldn’t say she was a quilter, but she was my inspiration to sew. But, I do not sew clothes, I quilt. Quilting is one of my top two passions. The other is camping. For Christmas I am getting a 2nd sewing machine. A portable 3/4 size machine to bring to classes and to take in my small r.v. so I can quilt when I’m camping.
My mom made most of our clothing until I was in high school. She did some quilting. Her passion was Norwegian painting rosemaling. She taught me how to sew clothing. My grandmothers and some of my aunts quilted. A neighbor was going to teach a quilt class to some 4-H leaders and wanted to do a practice run on my friend and I. I was hesitant because I did a lot of other things, knit, crochet, cross stitching and by that time married and had 3 kids and a job. That evening changed my life. I was totally hooked from that night. I remember saying to my friend on the way home that I wasn’t going to go all crazy like I usually do when I started something new and buy all this stuff I didn’t really need. Wow, did I ever eat those words. But no regrets!
My grandmother was a hand piecer and quilter and while I seldom saw her quilting, I do have a few memories of her at her quilting frame (which is now mine along with one of her quilts). :). My mom didn’t quilt (I am one of eleven children.) but she had a treadle foot sewing machine that she used for mending and she let me use it when I was young and wanted to learn to sew. I made clothes for my dolls, gradually teaching myself to sew garments. I don’t know of any other sewers/quilters in my immediate family but three siblings have begun quilting in the past two years.
In the late 90’s, I saw an ad in our local paper for a “learn to quilt” class which I took, and have been quilting ever since. I NEED to find time to quilt every day, am passionate (some say obsessed) about it, and enjoy having many projects in process at one time. I also have several hand projects, mostly wool, ready to go so I can get my sewing fix while on the road or away from home.
It is great to read the comments of others and how they began their journeys.
I love ready about all your needful things. Some things I already have them!
Magnetic bobbin holder, Great idea! My grandma was the one that taught me how to sew but she was not a quilter. I was fascinated with seeing how small pieces of fabric sewn together can make a beautiful quilt so I took a class. I love working with wool and hand stitching…the day isn’t complete unless I do a little stitching.
I come from a long line of quilters. When both my grandmothers would come to visit, we always would “put up” quilts. No fancy quilt frame here, but 4 boards with holes drilled in them. Long nails would hold the boards in shape. The frame with the quilt layers basted in would be balanced on chairs. Very crude but it worked for them. I can remember one grandmother keeping a string with a piece of white chalk in her apron pocket; her tool, used like a compass for marking her Baptist Fan lines. We would play under the quilts in the frame like they were tents, and sometimes quilt, but after a few stitches we were on our way. As an adult, quilting wasn’t even on my radar until an aunt passed and left my mother with her quilting stuff. It included her supplies, some fabric and lots of quilt tops. This particular aunt lived a very hard life, and while I was going through her things with my mother I got the sense that this was her therapy. She used scraps from everything! My mother asked me if I would help her quilt the tops – just stitch in the ditch on the machine – to get them finished. I did. All the great grandchildren got a quilt (my machine work looks terrible), but I was hooked. By the way, I still use the boards for “putting up” my quilts. I suspend them from the ceiling in the garage, baste the backing into the frame with twine, then layer the rest with spray baste. My mother of 80+ still likes to help me with this. : ) I get a great flat, smooth quilt every time!
I should add that after I get the quilt layers basted together, I remove the quilt from the frame and machine quilt it on my Juki.
My grandma was a seamstress and every year when I was a child gave me the Sears and Penney’s catalog and asked me which dress I like the best for Christmas. Now there was no way my parents could have ever bought it but I knew my grandma would sew it for me and No One would ever know it was not from the catalog. She was a great seamstress. Didn’t use a pattern but just looked, measured and sewed. She pieced her quilts by hand and I cherish the quilt I was given so much. Grandma taught me to sew and I sewed my clothes and my younger sisters clothes. That moved to my children’s clothes when they were born. The quilting bug hit me when they started school by making wall hangings and dolls for craft shows. That era is long over and I make quilts for family, friends and many for charity. Now my daughter quilts, my granddaughter (she is 10) has made 3 quilts already and I am in heaven. My daughter has lead me to wool, punch needle and of course Primitive Gatherings. Needles, threads, fabrics and my sewing machines take me far into past memories and to making many future memories with a smile.
I’m like you — passionate and want to be in my sewing EVERY DAY! My mother made beautiful quilts for me and my sister. I wasn’t interested until one day about 15 years ago I wondered what I would leave to my daughters like my mother left for me. I bought a couple of little wall hanging kits and used my yard stick and scissors to cut them out. Right then I was hooked! Next day I bought a rotary cutter and all the necessary beginner supplies. I then made my first quilt — queen size! That’s more than one hundred quilts ago and I’m still going strong with no plans to change — just want to work faster to get all the quilts in my head done. The bobbin holder — I love it. I can’t stand messy bobbins. Looks great too! Sorry this post is so long. When anyone asks, I have to tell my story.
I learned to sew from my mom and through 4H. But no quilters in family I knew. I do have a beautifl crazy quilt that my great grandmother made. I never saw it til my mom gave it to me as an adult. I learned to quilt at the Y in Waterloo from Karan Flanscha, an expert. I joined a guild and then 8 of us formed a group that meets every 2 weeks. These girls are my inspiration and make quilting 10 times more fun cuz folks that done quilt really don’t get this obsession! They are also good road trip buddies. Who else could spend 2 hours in one shop? Not my husband. What’s that key shaped item in your pix? Is that to change your needle?
My paternal Grandmother was a quilter…..a hand quilter. The sit-around-a-frame-with-the-church-women quilter. She didn’t teach me how to quilt…I wish….she lived 2000+ miles away. I sure wish I had her teach me to hand quilt though. I would have loved to sit around the frame with her.
I do not come from quilters but I do come from great craftsmen and encouragers. My grandfathers were a baker and candy maker. Both made fantastic creations. My encouragers are my mother, and high school teachers and so many creative quilting friends. These are some of the most wonderful people in the world. A life long sewer I didn’t make a quilt until 1997. Quilting has been my passion ever since. The majority of my creative time is devoted to quilting and I wouldn’t have it any other way! Thank you for all your inspiration!!!
No offense about the plastic bobbins. I still have the original bobbins for my 20+ year Pfaff. We all tend to be loyal to our machines. I come from a long line of quilters. My mother does not quilt, but still does award winning Hardanger at the age of 87. My great grandmother would piece all winter and my gr gr grandmother and several aunts would quilt them on a frame set up in the parlor. My mother would play underneath. Like all of my fore mothers, I have to have something to work on in my lap.
I have a featherweight with metal bobbins, would love to win the case. My grandmother was my inspiration, she was a talented artist, she made one quilt hand pieced and hand quilted and I ended up with that quilt when she passed away. When I was in my late 40’s decided it was time to learn to quilt. Took a class and have been hooked ever since. What a joy in my life quilting has been.
No one in our family quilted but my grandmother sewed most of our clothes when we were little. She had a converted treadle machine and one of the drawers was filled with beautiful colorful buttons that she used to let me play with. She even sewed teeny tiny clothes for my Barbie doll! When I was 12, I sewed my first dress. It was a “shift” . Very simple. I still remember the fabric. I did embroidery and cross stitch for many years and then moved to a city with a quilt shop. I loved the fabrics so I took a class. She was a good teacher. We didn’t actually make a quilt, we just did samples of blocks and stitching. She was very picky…if it wasn’t square or if corners didn’t match…rip it out! So that was the beginning of my quilting passion and then it expanded to wool. How lucky we are to live in these times when so much is available to us. I sew on my mother’s old Bernina from 1974. It has metal bobbins, too.
there are ‘t any quilters, knitters, stitchers or crocheters in my family. I’m not sure where my love of quilts comes from, but I am pretty obsessed–in a good way!
I learned to sew when I was around 12 or 13, from my mother. I sewed most of my clothes all my life until I took up quilting, which was around 2000. Actually, I made a few quilts before then, but really got into it in a big way in 2000. It really is my passion and there are very few things I would rather be doing than quilting. So I think I am pretty much on the same page with you, Lisa!
I don’t come from a long line of quilters but my grandfather was a taylor, made suits for the Mafia in the day. Guess that doesn’t count…huh? My friend Jackie got me to go to my first quilt class and I hated it….bad teacher. Luckily I tried again and am now hooked. I do not have metal bobbins, plastic for me. Sorry. I do have a holder that I use so I know where you are coming from.
I quilt every chance I get but that is hard sometimes because my husband keeps me busy with outside activities. We bike a lot and also go south in the winter. The first year I didnt take my sewing machine and I was miserable even in the sunshine. Now I have a small machine with me and I find time to keep me happy with my passion. My grandmother and my mother both quilted but I really didnt pay attention to what they were doing but subconsiously it must have had a big effect because now it is my passion.
Nobody in my family quilted. I just love the way quilts look and feel. My mother did teach me how to sew and crochet. During high school I sewed most of my clothes and did a lot of crocheting. I still use my mother’s crochet hooks. I think of her often when I use them. Have a great day!
Long after I learned to quilt, in the early 70s, from one 1930s book and a magazine article by Jean Ray Laury, I found out my mother HAD quilted. She died when I was nine and I saw her embroider but never quilt. It turned out she and my grandmother used to quilt together, and I eventually wound up with one of her quilts, a tied snowball. Quilting has been my passion since I found it when I was 17. I don’t know if I live to quilt or quilt to live, but the only things more important to me are God and my family. =) Thanks for the chance to win. I have machines with both kinds of bobbins and have never had a problem with a plastic bobbin in the 18 years I’ve owned my favorite machine. But I rarely have a problem with a metal one, either, though one goes out of true now and then and I have to toss it.
I have learned and and practiced making many hand made things beginning with crocheting in the 4th grade. When I was 28 years old I found quilting. For 28 years now quilting has been my go to relaxation and I have the best girlfriends thru quilting. My great grandmother did some utilitarian quilts and sewing. Unfortunately she passed before I knew quilting.
I know that my great grandmother and grandmother made quilts. In fact I have one of their grandmother’s flower garden quilt tops fo quiilt. My mom also has several of their quilts. Actually, my mom and I took a quilt class together back in the 80’s that I believe was her first quilting class but she sewed our clothes and clothes for our dolls. I love to do everything dealing with fabric and wool and try to do something every day. In fact I am learning how to weave so I can use fabric in rugs. Thanks for all the wonderful chances to win.
My Mom and Grandmother taught me to do some handwork, knitting and embroidery, but basically I came to quilting when a friend wanted to learn and suggested we take a class together. That was about 35 yrs ago. I LOVE it and sew just about every day. I love the link it has with history and am basically in love with more traditional quilts. I read anything that ties quilts and history together. And I STILL love all forms of handwork.
My sister has quilted for years and I thought what she would make was beautiful but I never had “the bug” and really didn’t think I had the skill or patience. That is, until January of this year. I pulled out an old project that I had started and put away years ago. Once I got started I realized why I had put it away…my old machine was horrible and made sewing a chore. I talked hubby into a new machine and I was off! I’ve been quilting non-stop ever since. Also discovered that just sewing some squares together wasn’t going to do it for me. I made my 1st quilt with appliqué in February and that has become my favorite. It’s now a HUGE passion. I am working on your Primitive Garden quilt (done through block 8 I believe) and the P3 Happy Trails (ready to start outer borders). Have made numerous quilts and other gifts this year and am excited to be giving mostly homemade gifts for Christmas this year. 🙂 If i’m not quilting I am looking at pictures of quilts or patterns or fabric or more pictures of quilts….you get it! So happy I have this “bug”
I have no one to follow in the steps of quilting. I learned on my own…a bobbin holder!? Who would have thunk! I have a bernina that has what I call a ‘Barbie case’ and that’s where I keep mine.
I got into quilting all on my own. Yes, I would love to do it every day but it doesn’t happen. Maybe if I had a business like you I could justify it. Lol. Oh, and Nick IS a great guy! 😉
I grew up around quilts but I didn’t make one until I took a class offered in community ed. I was hooked and haven’t stopped yet. Then I found Primitive Gatherings and got into WOOL so much fun!!! There’s always something new to learn.
Mine is a backwards story. I learned to quilt when I was expecting my first child. Mom had taught me so many other fabric-thread-yarn arts but she got the quilting bug from me. Then her mom, my grandmother, joined the fun, creating many magnificent quits in her 80’s. She remembers her mother, my great-grandmother, quilting but she did not quilt at that time. Unfortunately my daughter is not interested in the process but loves the quilts.
I am enjoying these posts. Reading them is a nice break from the hustle-bustle of holiday stuff.
My Mom was an avid knitter but did sew a fair amount of our clothes when I was a kid. When I left for college she gave me a quilt made out of scraps from all those clothes that I still have & is one of my prized possessions. My Dad had 3 elderly aunts(probably the age I am now!!) who never married and lived together in a Benton, WI. We’d go visit “the Aunts” on a fairly regular basis and they were always busy with a project. Mary sewed clothes, Loretta made rag rugs on a huge loom, and tiny little Aunt Annie was in a rocking chair with a quilt she was hand-quilting, usually one with a lot of applique. Oh, and there were fresh molasses/ginger cookies because they were my Dad’s favorite. They seemed so happy and were so loving I think I always associated those feelings with handwork from a very young age. I didn’t learn how to sew in High School because Home Ec met at the same time as Chemistry & Physics. But some years later my sister taught me to cross stitch and then I took a sewing class,at MATC followed by a beginning quilting class and the rest is history!
I did not have any quilters in my family growing up but my mother did sew clothes for me. My first lessons were at the Singer sewing machine store with my Girl Scout troop. We were earning our sewing badge. After that, I was hooked on sewing. I made doll clothes and some clothes for myself. As far as quilting goes, I took some classes when my kids first went to school and I had some “free” time to learn something new. I took cooking classes, machine embroidery classes and then quilting classes. After going to an Elanor Burns demo class of her original Quilt in a Day log cabin quilt, I was hooked and had to take many classes after that. If I could, I would sew every day….I have to settle for 3 or 4 days a week. It is my passion!!! Love love love it!!! I can’t wait until your new shop opens!!! My friendship group has already scheduled a field trip up there for our March meeting from San Diego. We may have to come sooner if you are indeed open in Feb. Just curious as to where in Murrieta the shop is? A friend of mine had a shop there that recently closed. Can’t wait to visit your new shop!!!
I learned to quilt myself, there were no quilters in my families past. I only had one Aunt who sewed, so how I ended up being a tole painter, quilter and rug hooker is amazing.
Good Morning.. I know at least my mother and her mother quilted. I have my mother’s Grandmother’s Flower Garden that she said was quilted by her, her mother and their church ladies back on the farm. I have my Grandmother’s old quilting frame – the ones with the holes in them for the round clothespins to go in. I have always been a sewer since I was a child, learning from my mother who was a wonderful stitcher who could make anything. I still have my very own ‘toy’ Singer machine. My father came from a family of weavers back in Germany. Not quilting, but still a fiber persuit.
Then back in the bicentennial, when there was a quilting revival, I decided I HAD to do one. My first attempt really turned out nice AFTER I figured out why I had so many 4 inch squares left when my design was finished . I had turned them on point… ha!! I never turned back from quilting after that and my mother also started in again. Her favorite was to sit and baste hexies for several more GFG’s!
Today, I can’t imagine my life without quilting. My mantra is “MY SOUL IS FED BY NEEDLE AND THREAD”.
If I can just stitch a little every day, either at the machine or woolie work by hand, I’m a happy camper!!
Thanks for the post! My mom always did some sewing, mending, etc. I took a sewing class in high school, but My sister got me into quilting. I love it….wish I could find a way to do more of it routinely!! Darn job, online course, etc……they all get in the way of fun! 😊
I have a quilt made by my grandmother… Hand embroidered roses on muslin blocks then bordered with Bubble-Gum pink fabric, and hand quilted. My mother was my first sewing teacher. I am one of 8 children, so she made everything she could for us. When I married I continued from her teaching and made my Babes diapers, then, their clothing and doll clothing. I made my first quilt about 23 years ago, but I also made dolls, bears, etc. for an annual craft show. I went back to work when my youngest was 5th grade and slowed down a lot on my sewing production. Having retired 3 1/2 years ago… I am consumed with piecing, quilting and applique; preferring wool to cotton. I love learning more about the whole quilting process. Thanks for all your tips and techniques you share. I can’t wait for your new book to be available!
I tried with the cardboard template and said this is not for me. My daughter made me a quilt for Christmas about 12 years ago. Did you cut this out with templates? She said she used a tool like a pizza cutter. (Yes, I guess I live under a rock ) so I tried it and have been quilting ever since.
I learned quilting on my own,no history of family quilters until I knew enough to recognize the utility quilt a grandmother made. I am still learning more and more. You certainly not alone in the time you spend om quilting. That is what I do other than the house cleaning. Friends are quilters,relaxation is quilting, most shopping is quilt related; it is just what I do and enjoy. Now I am making smaller quilts with many small pieces and learning about working with wool. I always have a travel bag ready to go to the doctors, or out for a coffee or anyplace.
Linda Davis
Mom was a garment sewer and I learned to sew in Home Economics in the 8th grade. (Too bad girls don’t have that opportunity today.) Way back in the 70’s, I took a quilting class but the cardboard templates and hand sewing was too much. Fast forward to 1989. My daughter was working at the Cotton Ball in Morro Bay, CA. I went to visit for the weekend. She had to work on Saturday, so she signed me up for their Quilt In A Day Log Cabin class. I was a little apprehensive, but once I got to sewing I was totally hooked. I am still passionate about quilting and if I go too long without turning on my sewing machine, I feel like life is seriously lacking. I love the creative outlet and am always working on improving my technique. I’m still an adventuresome beginner because there is always something new to learn and new ways to quilt. Curved seams is my challenge for the coming year. Thanks Lisa for all you do to inspire us quilters.
I am the 1st in my family to quilt and I absolutely love it. I would quilt/stitch all the time if life didn’t interfere! My house is full of quilts and most people comment “did you make ALL of these?” Love the look! I think the bobbin holder would be great. I agree that metal bobbins work the best, but then my machine uses metal bobbins. LOL
I’m the only one in my family that quilts. I’ve been hooked for over 20 years thanks to my girlfriend. I sew pretty much everyday and love every minute. I’ve had both type of bobbins and love my Bernina the best. The holder would be prefect for me. Your posts are ever so enjoyable, I look forward to them everyday. After Christmas I’ll be in withdrawal, it won’t be the same. Thanks for all that you do.
I come from a long line of quilters – makers of utility quilts – made from left over bits of fabric. I even have a wool suit quilt – the warmest dang thing! I love quilting, but my time is shared by many interests. I love retreats and quilt cruises because they are dedicated time!
Will longarm size M bobbins fit in this holder?
My dad’s mom quilted but I never had the chance to learn from her. My mom sewed clothing and lingerie but was never interested in quilting. I signed up for a class and was hooked ever since.
I first taught myself to quilt (not good results) because I loved Amish quilts then I took a class where I learned the Log Cabin from Eleanor Burns book in the mid-eighties I was in the Air Force living in Sanford Maine and I have been hooked ever since! The girl (I think her name was Debbie) who owned the shop “The Uncommon Pin” was a sweetheart and really inspired me. I’ve gone back to that little town, but the shop was gone and I’ve always wondered what happened to her. I’d like to think my hand piecing skills have improved over the years.
My mother couldn’t sew a lick. But my grandmother would make me and my sister clothes and then if there was anything left she made us doll clothes to match and then what was left from that went into the quilt scrap basket. So we learned you use it all. Loved going to her house.
Happy holidays everyone.
No I didn’t come from a long line of quilters. My Mom was darn clothing but that is about it. I took a class in Beaver Dam from Lois Levenhagen. She is the one that got me hooked. I love quilting and especially love retreats. Of course who wouldn’t love a retreat. To be able to get away and just quilt. This bobbin holder is really nice. This is a need item.
I watched my grandmother quilt, but I didn’t start until I was in my late 40s, after my children had left home. I started out by doing everything by hand, but soon realized that I wanted to make things faster. So, that is when I started machine piecing and quilting. And yes, I would say I am totally obsessed with quilting. 😊
No, I had no family members that quilted. My mother told me her mother (my grandmother) was very critical of anyone that hand sewed anything–she didn’t value hand sewing–thought buying anything in a store was superior. So my mom was very late to do log cabin quilts and I started about the same time. My mom enjoyed making a quilt. I stress too much trying to do it “just right” and I am not finding the happiness.
When I joined 4-H, my Mom taught me how to sew and I made many outfilts to enter in the Waupaca County Fair and eventually the Wisconsin State Fair. When I had my kids, I made my cute dresses for my little girls. Around that time, I became friends with a lady who offered to teach me and some of my friends how to quilt. The rest is history! I now own a long arm quilting business and teach long arm quilting classes at a LQS and love it. Now if I could just find time to do more of my own piecing…!!!
I don’t come from a long line of quilters, but my maternal grandmother made me a Dresden Plate quilt when I was very young and I wore it to shreds. I think it was the first quilt she ever made and only one of two. The other was a matching Dresden too for my brother. Mine had pink sashing and his was light green, both with white backgrounds. This quilt is in too bad a shape to repair, so I decided recently to try and replicate it using mostly 1930s repro prints. This is what my next project will be and I am anxious to get started on it. I also hope to hand quilt it, my first attempt to do this large a project, so I will do it QAYG or it will never be finished. I wish I had thought of doing this years ago so I could have been using the quilt on my bed, but better late than never.
I do have metal bobbins and like to get a few wound ahead of time so this sounds like a good idea. Thanks and I hope you have a Merry Christmas.
My Grandmother was a quilter but I didn’t come to know this until 1964, when I was 10. My Mom, sister and I travelled to our Grandparents’ home in Two Rivers for summer vacation. Our Grandmother had redone the guest room and on our beds were beautiful crazy quilts she had made for us. I still remember snuggling under mine, thinking it smelled like Grandma. Several years later she sent me a beautiful all hand-sewn applique quilt as a wedding shower gift, which I absolutely treasure. My mother was an awesome seamstress, who made many beautiful dresses for us. I was interested in sewing, but had a bad experience in 7th grade HomeEc where I struggled horribly with a blouse. My teacher said, “Holly, my girls are either great sewers or great cooks. Your talents definitely are in cooking.” That was the end of sewing for me!! My Mom totally got bitten w/the quilting bug in her 60’s, & while she offered to teach me I had a very demanding career that required a great deal of travel & simply did not have the time. In 2001, my DH & I relocated to Montana. I walked into a neighbor’s home that had MANY quilts on display & was overcome w/their beauty. She offered to be my teacher . . . & when I discovered I really could sew things that didn’t have complicated set-in seams, zippers or buttonholes, I became OBSESSED w/all things quilting!! This year I ventured into wool applique & machine quilting and am loving them so much!! That’s what I find most exciting about quilting . . . there’s always something new to learn!! And, I must confess that sometimes I do go into my sewing room just to “pet” my cotton flats and wool. Is that crazy or what??
Oh my gosh I love you comment about petting your cotton flats and wools!!! So wonderfully crazy and true!!!
My mother didn’t quilt but she sewed my clothes for school as I was growing up and was a huge influence in my creative choices. She does ribbon work, makes flowers from wired and non-wired ribbon and uses them to decorate items she’s made. She adds unique embellishments and they are little works of art. I first saw a quilt being made by hand when I was riding the school bus to high school in 1972. I was a senior. The girl that sat next to me was making a grandmother’s flower garden using the English paper piecing method. I was fascinated! And hooked. I made my own grandmother’s flower garden quilt, only I didn’t have any papers so I traced and cut my hexagons and stitched it by hand. It has my wedding dress and all my bridesmaid’s dress fabric in it as well as my mother’s dress she made, and my mother-in-law made her dress so that’s in it too. I never quilted it but I still have it:) Until 3 years ago I pieced by hand. Then the local shop owner taught me rotary cutting so now I know how to machine piece. I still do quilts by hand also.
I mainly quilt, knit, and rug hook, but over the years, I have done stained glass, wood carving, spinning, weaving, and crocheting. I thought I’d take up quilting in retirement, but one day on my lunch break, I walked into Quiltwork Patches, and I thought, “Why wait?” I signed up for beginning quilting without even having a portable sewing machine. I’m most happy at my sewing machine(s), and with sewing needle in hand, and I think it’s because my dear mom taught me to sew on her lap at a Singer treadle sewing machine. She only took up quilting in her 80’s, making 1″ paper pieced hexagons for me to sew into GFG’s. I’ll be forever grateful for her teaching me to sew and her sweet personality.
I do not come from a long line of quilters, heck my mom didn’t even sew. I took up sewing in school but in later years I would see wonderfu lquilts and have always wanted to try that. I gave up doing stained glass and now I am in my sewing room every day I get a chance.
My mom sewed Barbie and Ken clothes. Her shirts for Ken were amazing! Little tiny intricate pieces with a finished product of a man’s dress shirt. Perfectly done. Her mom made some quilts (the large square of each fabric hand tied quilt). I am thrilled to have them. Funny, my MIL designed and sewed clothing all her adult life and only two of her DILs sew (me being one of them). The other DIL and I have sewn together since our kids were born. As these kids have grown up, none of them are interested in sewing. The girls leave the room when we start talking about sewing or hand needle and thread/floss/yarn projects. Maybe when they get older… I have been quilting since I took a class with my MIL when I first got married.
No long line of quilters here, in fact my mother didn’t start quilting until in her 50’s. She sewed beautifully though. She called me and said I needed to make a quilt, that I “would love it”. And as we all know – mother’s always right. Now many years later I have inherited all her things, including the UFO’s…thank’s mom.
I was inspired by quilters on both sides of my family. Two great aunts who passed away before I was born but I’m blessed to have two quilts that they made and my maternal grandmother and aunt were\are quilters. My grandmother is now deceased but taught me to sew and I have a quilt that she made. I also have a very old wool quilt that we think was made by my grandfather’s mother. It has a note attached to it that says “made by my mother”. By the time we found it my grandmother was unable to remember who made it. Made me understand the importance of quilt labels. My paternal grandmother taught me to crochet and another aunt inspired my interest in counted cross stitch.
Many years ago (around 1980) I saw an ad for Stretch and Sew classes being offered near my home. My husband had recently passed away. I was single again having time after work so I joined their evening class. I met some lovely women to share my time with. Soon after the shop offered a sampler quilt class. We joined the class and completed our 12 16″ blocks . I had selected all the fabrics at the start of the class and cut everything with scissors and used the pattern material that the shop offered to trace the templates that I pinned to the fabric before cutting. I even cut the sashing strips with the cornerstones. My lady friends and I got together weekly to complete our blocks. I never made it to the last class which showed how to finish the quilt. I started dating again! In 1985 I met my 2nd husband. He filled my life so completely I never thought of sewing or quilting. In 1987 we became self employed. My quilt blocks and cut borders and sashing waited for me until Jan. 2014 when we retired. I pulled it out of its hiding place and discovered I did not like the fabric I chose for the sashing. It was a dark blue and would butt up to the dark blue in some of the blocks. Try to match 30+ year old fabrics! I never heard of blenders, batiks, precuts, rotary cutters, cutting mats and so many types of rulers. I had my Bernina 930 tuned up so I could start sewing. Life threw me another curve ball. We decided to move to Montana and build a house there. I didn’t start sewing but I did start collecting. I was an official fabriholic. I had precuts all over the place. I watched every MSQC video, I wanted to make every one of the video quilts, I had to have all the fabrics, notions and threads. I bought containers to contain my wild stash. One morning I woke up and all my goodies were gone! My husband moved them to a storage cottage outside because the realtor said we had to turn my sewing room back into a bedroom. GRRRR! We aren’t going to list the house for sale for another 5 months and move for another 8 or so months. I could have selected some new sashing and finish my quilt. Instead I have an extra bedroom, my quilt is back in storage and waiting for its new quilting studio in Montana. Hopefully it will be ready to go next June. I am thrilled by how the quilt industry has grown and how the designers and shop owners give so generously of their time. This has been my first full year of my online journey as a quilter and I am so thankful for all I have learned and for all those, including you Lisa, who have taught. May you have a Blessed Holiday Season and the very best of luck in California.
I don’t think there was a time that my mother wasn’t quilting. She did it the old way. With
cardboard templates and scissors. She never had a rotary cutter. She was my inspiration.
She made a butterfly quilt that I absolutely loved. So it is no wonder I am obsessed
with anything quilt related.
Marge
Lisa, could you give a tutorial on your wool needle threaders. I keep breaking my needles. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. Thanks
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Hi Lisa, I sew occasionally. Not near enough in my opinion. I find it soothing and good for my soul. Hope to find more time for sewing and stitching in 2015!
My mother did not sew. I learned how in home economics class but did not quilt until I was in my 50’s. A friend introduced me to quilting and I have never stopped. A day without quilting for me is a bad day.
I learned to sew from my grandmother but I did not learn to quilt until I was almost 50.Now 25 years later I am still
quilting almost every day and loving every minute of it. I enjoy quilting alone and with friends and see it as therapy when life gives me lemons. I have taught two of my five daughters to quilt and my sister(who lives next door) is hooked also. This is the best part because it is like having two sewing rooms!!! We like most of the same things and we share !!
I have a featherweight and would love to have a nice bobbin holder to keep my bobbins filled,neat and ready. Do you get the idea that they are not ?
I learned my love of quilting and knitting from my maternal grandmother, aunt and my best friends mom. My mother did not like to sew or quilt ( I think that came from all the years she worked in a factory when she was young on a sewing machine). My mother always encouraged me to sew and bought me my first sewing machine at a garage sale. My best friend’s mom was the one who helped me make my first quilt about 23 years ago and I have been making quilts ever since and loving it!
My mom always sewed clothes and did crafts. I discovered quilting on my own and got her hooked on it too:) I always have “quilting on the brain” thinking about new projects or wanting more time to work on current projects or finding inspiration online. Thanks for this great series!
Travelling around Australia,calling into lots of quilt shops and quilting groups on my travels,just can’t pass a quilt shop or quilt show, live for quilting,even have my husband trained.
My grandmother taught me to sew but I stumbled into quilting on my own. I went to a fibre and textile exhibition which included antique quilts and I was hooked.
My mother quilted for as long as I can remember. She inspired me to start quilting. I remember my great grandmother quilting too using whatever scrap fabric she could get her hands on. Oh, how I wished I had one of her quilts today.
I absolutely do not come from a line of quilters. I am the first but my husband’s grandmother and other relatives in Nova Scotia are quilters so we received 2 quilts as wedding gifts. That was the start of my love affair with quilts!
At the ripe old age of 56, I’m a first generation quilter. Not aware of any quilters on either of my parent’s side and I admit to a bit of envy for quilters who have this amazing heritage of being second, third or even fourth generation quilters. I am a passionate fabric/kit/pattern purchaser who longs for a little more time to sew. Right now, I eek out a few spare moments usually when there’s a looming deadline (and even then sometimes I don’t get it done in time.) I’ve really enjoyed reading your Needful Thing posts. Love the magnetic bobbin holder.
No one in my family quilts and I started in my 30’s. I have been sewing since I was 7 years old and did sewing in the summer at my Grandma’s lake home on a treadle Singer sewing machine. My mom was a avid sewer so I spent a lot of time at the kitchen table with her making doll blankets and clothes as I started my passion with fabric and needle! I LOVE to sew and quilt. I do it once in awhile as time does not allow me to make many.
My grandmother sewed clothing but I can’t ever remember her quilting. She was busy as a young mother. She lost her husband at a young age and was left to raise 4 children on her own. She did crochet and knit. I’m not sure about my other grandmother as she passed away when I was very young. I do know that she did needle work as I have a sampler she did for my parents when they married. So apparently my craftiness is genetic 🙂
My mother knitted beautiful sweaters. I sewed many of my own clothes through my school years. My interest turned to quilts in my 20’s. My husband, however, was in the military so the availability of quilt shops changed with each move. I love to see quilts, read quilting blogs, take classes to learn new skills, and go to quilt shows. I hope to spend my retirement years making quilts and improving my skills!
Love the bobbin holder. My maternal great-grandmother quilted. She had a large quilting frame attached to the ceiling in her living room and it would be pulled down for “quilting bees” with her friends. My mother sewed all of our clothes for my two sisters and me. She was quite the designer. She was the first person I knew who did color-blocking before it was popular. She made the best use of her limited fabrics by flip-flopping the colors on skirts and blouses for my older sister and me. All of this while working full-time and helping my dad build our house. Don’t know how she did it all. Guess that’s why she weighed 95 pounds! Later on, she opened a cross-stitch shop in Florida for 25 years. She had quilting supplies in her shop also. She made a gorgeous one-color candlewicked “summer quilt”. It has 50 blocks-one for each state and that state’s flower. She also candlewicked her signature and the date-Feb 2000. She told me that in the South, alot of times, they made summer quilts, which have no batting inside. It is so hot down here, that batting was not used in most of the summer ones. My two sisters and I all quilt. And although there are many miles between us, we can communicate about our quilting by email.
Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and neighbors all quilters. I would love to have the time to work on a quilt everyday–schedule does not permit. Love learning and improving and trying new things
I am at least……a fourth generation quilter. Maybe more! And my wonderful mother taught me! She teaches quilting also. She is a fabulous quilter!! And teacher.
My Mother sewed, primarily clothing for us girls until we were old enough to sew our own. I learned to quilt almost 20 years ago, was passionate about it. Now I still love quilting but have so many quilts and have greatly reduced my production…guess I should have limited how many I made early on 🙂
I picked up quilting on my own about 20 years ago. I put it down for a while and picked it back up in 2006. I live,eat and dream quilting. I am working on something every day, my tv doesn’t come on for weeks sometimes. I quilt to music. I started teaching around 4 months ago and my quilting life really bloomed when I could share my passion with others. I have started competitive quilting….recently had 3 quilts ribbon in one show. Yeah, I have the bug. I had a few set backs in 2014, I want to buy the juki machine you talk about and this bobbin holder will be the beginning of that dream. I hope to fulfill my dream purchase in the very near future in 2015. Lisa you are such an inspiration to me, I send students to your site all the time. Love ya lady, you are the best, and I don’t know how, but I am sure you will find a way to do it even better!
My mom tried making our clothes for a while, but I don’t remember it lasting. ..I don’t think we were very appreciative! . I like to think she would have stuck with quilting. I started because i wanted something to share with my daughters… they weren’t too interested (in their 20s now)…. but still holding out hope. I love every aspect of quilting and try to spend a few hours a day working on something. Thanks for all the fun giveaways!
I am a first generation quilter…no one in my family ever made quilts. My aunt is a knitter and taught me about 30 years ago. I did needle point and cross stitch, but all that stopped when I found quilting. I love doing hand work and especially wool appliqué. Sometimes life gets in the way and I stop for a while, but I always go back to quilting and there really isn’t anything else I’d rather do. Now I try to stitch ev