Making Momma Proud

When I was growing up winter time was quilting time. Before the first snow my dad would bring in Mom's quilting frame from the barn. Her quilting frame is this long Amish-style contraption that's about four feet wide and as long as our basement family room. Mom would spend all winter sitting at that frame, stoking the fire every few hours, and constantly watching 'her shows'. She would hand quilt at least one full sized quilt each winter. By the time the daffodils were in full bloom the quilting frame would be back in storage, and Mom would be at the dining room table, cutting out the geometric shapes of next year's quilt.

My mom sent a quilt to college with me, she gave me a quilt for my wedding (7 years before the fact, actually, because I begged her for it on my 30th birthday.), and she was buried in a quilt-lined casket.

Oh come on. You don't pay that much money for something 

you'll never see again and not take a picture of it.

A couple of years ago a friend of mine graciously gifted me with her mother's sewing machine. TW had gotten the machine from her mom in order to make a quilt for her sweetie. After doing about 13 seconds of research on the 1958 Singer, I knew that my first project on this beautiful girl would have to be the very same thing.

Which brings us to Exhibit B. I made the top of this quilt last summer. When I started quilting it (On the machine. I'm not nearly as hardcore as my mom was.) I hit a snag with some tension problems and had to do some ripping. And then it sat. And sat. Until today! When I picked it up and finished quilting it. After snipping some threads, trimming out the back and batting to fit the top, and a quick bind off, she'll be all done. It's not a work of art. It's definitely a novice quilt. But I like to think my Momma would be proud.

Yesterday one of our loyal customers gave me the high quality materials for a quilt that she has decided she isn't going to be able to work on any longer due to health issues. I was flattered, to say the least. And I think I finally feel like I can do this lovely fabric justice.