Then and Now

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

After my most recent quilt finish (the Round Robin quilt), I've been thinking a lot about how far I've come since my very first quilt. Then this week, my friend Leanne (she blogs at Devoted Quilter), is hosting a linky party on exactly that subject!


Baby quilt using fabric book panels

I made my first quilt in 2010. I bought a fabric book panel and coordinating solid fabrics from Jo-Ann's. I knew nothing about fabric and less about quilting! I watched YouTube videos for every step. Then called my mom with a million questions. Then called my grandma with even more! I thought everything had to be done the "right" way. I tried many techniques in that first quilt - applique, biased binding, and even free motion quilting!

Baby quilt using fabric book panels

I had no idea how to do free motion quilting. I didn't even have a sewing machine foot for it. I tried no foot at all (why did I even think that would work??), but found that if I used the knee lift to lift the presser foot just a little, I could sew around each picture. I broke a lot of needles, but the quilting turned out pretty good!

Baby quilt using fabric book panels

I knew I didn't want to hand sew the binding down, so I used a decorative stitch on my machine to stitch it down. The spacing was uneven, and it was the part I was least happy with.

After completing the quilt, I was hooked. I decided I would always try something new with every quilt I made in order to keep getting better.

I have made many quilts since that first one six years ago! Many have been mini quilts, but I count them as they allowed me to try new techniques. Much learning has occurred with each finish.

My latest quilt finish was my 69th quilt! I love the quilt SO much! It is a visual representation of how far I've come. The quilt was also a collaboration project between me and my best quilty friend, Heather. She has been so encouraging and helpful in my quilting journey.


Red and aqua round robin quilt

When piecing the quilt, I used some "advanced" techniques like paper piecing and y-seams. Each round required quilt math, as there were no patterns or standard measurements.


Red and aqua round robin quilt

When quilting, I used a walking foot for straight lines and a darning foot for free motion quilting. Of course there are imperfections, but overall, the quality of quilting surprised even me!

Red and aqua round robin quilt


See all the quilts I've made here.

Practice makes progress! Keep quilting!



6 comments:

  1. You have done such a good job. And yes, I agree with learning new things. It helps us grow.

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  2. I love that you did fmq on your very first quilt! I think just diving in is the best way to start. Then you can just go for it without knowing you're supposed to be scared of the 'harder' techniques :) Your first quilt was a beautiful start and your most recent finish is absolutely stunning! Everything about it (design, colours, piecing and quilting) looks perfect. Thanks for linking up with the Then...and Now linky!

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  3. Wow! Even your first quilt looks amazing! I am still just doing simple quilting after 2 1/2 years, lol.

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  4. How awesome that you were reflecting on the same growth idea that Leanne prompted! Your progress is awesome and can you believe you have made 69 quilts?!?

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  5. 69 quilts, wow!!! That last one is absolutely stunning!

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  6. Your beginning part of your quilting made me chuckle. All the different techniques in that first quilt. Practice, practice, practice...such great progress. TFS.

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