There are few things in life more satisfying than passing on something to the next generation. Something meaningful, unique and special that only you can teach. For me, its teaching my granddaughter to quilt. And this year, she FINALLY turned 6 so I thought she was old enough to make her first quilt.
We went to the fabric store where she picked out 4 different batiks that she loved and I cut them into 4″ squares. She sewed these squares into larger squares of 4 fabrics and then into rows. It took her 3 days because her energy level and concentration changed each day and I wanted her to have fun so I didn’t force her to achieve something each day.
Today, she saw the end in sight and worked for several hours, completing the piecing of the top and then moving on to the layering of the batting and backing. We “quilted” the quilt together and then I put on the binding and it’s done. She loves it and so do I. She is an amazing kid. And her first quilt is much better than my first quilt that I made when I was 58 years old!!
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Wow what a lovely quilt and a beautiful grandaughter. How lucky is she to have you Carol as a Grandma, and teacher.
Perhaps her first steps in a quilting career.
HAPPY CHRISTMAS, Margaret
Oh my gosh, great story and an even better photo. She looks so happy!
She is a cheerful child and the love of my life.
She is very creative so I can’t wait to see what path she chooses for her life.
Our granddaughters love to straight stitch on my machine, but I haven’t got them on a quilt project. The 4″ square gives me some ideas. They stay so busy with school and outside activities, most all our children never learn to sew or even thread a needle – and that’s good to know just for basic mending jobs.
I was amazed that she was able to piece the entire top by herself. The only thing I needed to help her with was pinning. It was hard for her to set in the pin exactly. And most importantly, she had fun. Her mom is not a quilter so I hope to teach her some more next time we come visit. After all, now she has some scraps for her “very small” stash!
Wow! Oh my gosh, how exciting! You must be incredibly proud, and she must feel very lucky and happy and well loved.
Carol,
Thanks so much for sharing this beautiful story. It is so wonderful that you want to pass on your talents to a younger generations. We never want our art of quilting to die out…it represents so many generations, and that makes it sew very special. Thank you!!!
Beautiful quilt! Great job on your first quilt. Love the colors, too. This is a beautiful story, and I’m so happy you are sharing your skills with the next generation.
Beautiful colors! I applaud her choice of batiks. Since you said you only helped her with the pinning, she must have chosen which square went next to which. Correct? Wow she did a great job with that,too!
Happy New Year and have a Joy filled, Healthy and Prosperous 2013!
That is priceless!
What a compagnionship. Greta, she will never forgett her grandmam. That is the great benefit!