Posted in Projects

Late to the table

Posted on by Bernie

I came late to the table but that’s all right. I am enjoying this time immensely and making the most of it.

Today is International Quilt Day, a fact I stumbled upon in the middle of a day of quilting. I have finished the quilting and putting on binding for a Canada quilt for the top bunk of the trailer. I “sandwiched” a panel wall hanging and have pulled threads for quilting it. This will also include some hand stitched so it won’t be complete before I move on. So onward  to the next project, which is a baby quilt full of bears! I’ve pulled fabrics there and am letting the design percolate a bit.

Each item designed and created in my wonderful work space has a purpose and a home. Each item allows me to be creative and to keep learning.

As quilters go, I did start rather late. I was 48 when I decided to make my Mom a memory quilt for her 80th birthday.  I mended it twice as it has seen daily wear during all those years.

I’m not extremely prolific. But each quilt has a recipient in mind as I design and sew. My quilts would not have a big wow factor at a quilt show, but those that have received one treasure them.

I’m also rather unusual in that I don’t “stash” a lot of fabric. I am not adverse to using alternate batting or patching some backing together. I don’t often use a professional long arm quilter and do a LOT of “stitch in the ditch,” although occasionally, I will go outside my comfort zone and free motion. I try to do at least one charity quilt a year, but some years do way more like the year we went to Haiti.

The thing I share with all quilters is that we love to create and deliver gifts from our heart, one quilt at a time.

Be sure to comment below with a story about your favourite quilt or how a quilter touched your life. It would be the icing on the cake, so to speak, on what’s been a great quilting day.

Bernie

Ps, but the more I quilt, the less I write. It’s a balancing act for sure.

Author:

I have had a love of the written word for my entire life. It's no surprise that eventually I found a platform where I could write. It's random; sometimes funny, occasionally sad, maybe even at times from anger and I lean towards creative photography and hands on crafts. I have a few blogs that high light these interests.

39 thoughts on “Late to the table”

  1. I loved reading your post about Quilting. Your comments brought back many memories. I took up quilting in 1995 when I needed something to block out what was going on in my life. I dived into it, did classes and loved it. My favourite type of quilt was a mixture of patchwork and hand embroidery. Like you, I wasn’t adverse to using a mix of fabrics for the reverse. I don’t do it any more, as there was nobody in my family ever interested in taking a quilt.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by and enjoying the post about quilting. I do think it often has a “season” in one’s life, which is why I used the title. Sadly, my kids don’t want them, but I do lots of chemo ones and some for various friends, and every baby that comes into my world gets one. My grandkids got 3 each in a variety of sizes.

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  2. What beautiful work, Bernie. I’m sure each of those quilts is deeply loved and appreciated. I do not quilt, but our lovely neighbors (who are also old friends) made us a quilt as a housewarming gift, and every time I make my bed, I think of them and am so grateful for their friendship.

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    1. And your story of the quilt is exactly what quilters love to hear. I just made a chemo quilt, and apparently, the other family members keep trying to snuggle under it.

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  3. My mum sewed, knitted and crochet but quilting wasn’t a thing at all – in fact, I don’t think I came across quilts like this until my first visit to the US when I was 18 (which wasn’t yesterday!).

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    1. That sent me down an interesting rabbit hole where I explored the history of quilting in New Zealand. There was a good article in the Auckland Museum about the 50 quilts they have and how the Cook Islanders even created their own particular style of quilting. So cool.

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  4. You’ve made beautiful quilts, Bernie. My mom made quilts for each of her grandchildren. I requested her to make two specific small quilts for me. I hung them in my home and treasure them.

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    1. How wonderful that you requested something specific and that you enjoy looking at them Natalie. Thanks for reading and for the compliment. I’m not a super precise quilter but the love evens it out! Bernie

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  6. My mom wasn’t a typical housewife, she didn’t cook, clean or sew. She was needed in the fields. I took home economics in high school and did some sewing afterwards. but my first actual quilt was a class that I took with you! Since then I have made many quilts and I love them all because they are all made with love and good intentions. I hope my kids and grandkids love them as much as I loved making them

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    1. My mom also didn’t grow up sewing or cooking, but it was because her mother was busy in the field. My grampa taught her about politics and how to read!
      Ah, yes, our quilt class. We should think about finding a specialty one that appeals to both of us and stretch ourselves to learn. Oh wait…you just taught one in my attic. 🤣😏I also hope your kids treaurer your quilts. Sadly, as you know, my 2 aren’t interested in a quilt by Mom.

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  7. Technically I met my grandmother but she died when I was 8 months old. She was a quilter and made a quilt for each of her daughters, one of which was my mother. Mom didn’t care for quilts so she saved hers, never used it. I however like quilts so Mom gave me the quilt in pristine condition. It’s my connection to the grandma I never knew and is in colors I adore. For a while I had it hanging on the wall, and may do that again, but for the moment it’s safely tucked away in a chest of drawers. And that is my quilt story! 

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    1. That’s a sad story with a good twist. Did you know any of your grandparents? I love that it’s in colours that you like but sad it’s in a drawer. It would look awesome on a wall, just not in too much sun. And now, of course, I wonder what pattern and era. I love history and quilts and when you put the two together ❤️ .

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      1. I knew my maternal grandfather, husband of the grandmother who made the quilt. He was a tough old coot, smoked cigars, and grumbled about politics. Of course I knew him in his last days, so he may not have been at his best. 😉

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    1. Yes those old quilts are so special. My sister got our grandmother’s quilt and has it proudly displayed. I have my tiny little doll crib one made in 1932 and love it for the connection to my grandmother. So I hope that someday my grandchildren and great grandchildren will feel that connection as well through my fingers and fabric. Bernie

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    2. Gosh — just found this comment which got approved but not replied to. Sorry about that. I certainly didn’t mean to ignore your comment. I am so glad that you cherish the quilts that you have. Are they on display? If stored did you know that there is what is considered a “best” way to store them? Bernie

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  9. A late starter or not you are a fantastic quilter, Bernie. Remember the excitement of a new box of crayons. The possibilities! I am amazed by how you can create the same excitement around your stash and scraps!

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    1. I love making “stash” quilts as the possibilities are endless and using bits and pieces up appeals to me. I just finished a chemo quilt for a friend using her favourite colour, purple, as the soul inspiration. Thanks for stopping in Aiva. Bernie

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  10. As you know, this is my favorite subject – I couldn’t begin to decide which quilt is the favorite of my projects. I do remember some that I finished and then thought – well, this isn’t what I thought it would be and disliked it. But usually I love them all. The question is akin to which is your favorite child?? I am starting to lean more to the traditional rather than the modern quilts. I do have loads of fabric, having once owned a fabric shop. But this means I rarely have to spend money on my hobby now. Like you, I am a frugal quilter and always, always piece my batting. It makes no difference and I cannot waste the large pieces that are sometimes left over. 

    Love the picture of the infant near the quilt. That is just precious.

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    1. Bernie you didn’t disappoint me! I knew you would respond to this post! I didn’t realize you had owned a quilting store – you certainly seem well connected in the quilting/blogging circle and that is probably why. I am a fan of “easier” rather than harder but do push myself every now and then. Although I rarely quilt from a pattern so that in itself is harder! That quilt of the infant is my latest grandchild and his quilt which his momma picked the pattern. It was a CHALLENGE but I did it. Sadly it was too big for a baby and so sits in his closet. I hope it hits a bed when he moves out of the crib. But once gifted you don`t get to choose how they are used. Take care and thanks for stopping in. Bernie PS I need to catch up on your blog. I have read but not commented as it`s that double entry thing that is easier on my computer than my phone.

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  11. You want quilting memories? This spot isn’t long enough. I grew up with quilts and quilting bees. Mom would put together the quilt and put it in the frames, then all the “old ladies” (Grandma and her friends) came for a day of quilting and gossiping. Mom made quilts like they were going out of style, then she branched into wall hangings. She made a Victorian-style crazy quilt using men’s ties from the 1980s (remember wide ugly ties of the era?) and it was accepted for the juried 10th anniversary celebration of the Regina Stitchery Guild. I have that quilt, and several others she made. But every one, no matter the condition, reminds me of her love, passion and energy. Thanks, Mom.

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    1. This is a fabulous story of how quilting connects people and spans generations. Are her quilts labeled? I sure hope so. I hope everyone in your family has quilts that your mom made. I did a crazy quilt wall hanging from old ties – it’s a ton of work as they stretch like crazy! Those full size Victorian crazy quilts must have taken so logn to make! I am so glad you treasure your Mom’s creations. Take care. Bernie

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  12. These are some beautiful quilts. There’s so much thoughtful attention to detail and love that go into making them. You know what they say, better late than never! We have a couple of quilts that have been gifted to us that we treasure. My husband’s grandmother made us one for our wedding. She’s now 96 and managed to make one when our daughter was born. There’s also the beautiful one that came from you. Knowing that they were all homemade and that they must have taken hours to complete make them all so extra special. They really are the best gifts.

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    1. Oh Linda how precious that your little one’s great grandmother made her a quilt! That’s wonderful. My aunt continued to quilt even when she went into a care apartment but so many elderly women give up their passion (probably due to eye sight or arthritis would be my guess). As I said to Jane in her comment there is an ebb and flow with quilting and a “season” to it. So glad you have those momentous and do appreciate the creativity and time taken. Bernie

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    1. Thanks Allan. I certainly enjoy it from the creative side. I get a little unbalanced though if I get too caught up though but then I rarely create anything from spring to fall so I guess it all evens out. Bernie

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    1. I think for everything there is a season and a reason so perhaps you need a reason and some time pulled away from other things. But perhaps it’s not the season (and I don’t mean weather) for quilting right now. All things ebb and flow for sure. Bernie

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  15. My maternal grandmother was a First World War Bride who came to the prairies with her husband where neither one of them expected the kind of life they had. Surviving the thirties was a difficult journey for many. One of the lasting impressions from that time was that you never wasted anything while everything could be reused. My grandmother was as beautiful knitter and an accomplished quilter – never a piece of wool nor scrap of cloth went to waste. It was not uncommon to have Quilting Bees in their town. Ladies would gather at a host’s home to help them hand-stitch their quilt in exchange for a social afternoon of maybe a bit of juicy gossip, always a spot of tea (in a china cup of course) and sometimes a biscuit if they were lucky. As the story goes, my grandmother would welcome her guests graciously, but once they were gone, would rip out their stitches so that she could do it the way she wanted. To my knowledge, none of the Ladies were ever the wiser! My grandmother was the perfect hostess!

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    1. What a fabulous story about the quilting bees! It’s hard to imagine taking out everyone’s stitches, but some quilters have very high standards, and I guess your grandmother was one of them (I’m not). A First World War bride and life in the 30s on the prairies. I bet she wondered on occasion why she’d left the old country. As to not wasting that’s the kind of quilter I am. I treasurer a little log cabin 4 patch doll quilt that my maternal grandmother made for my Mom. Using leftovers and sewing late at night by lantern. I am so glad you stopped in with this wonderful comment. Bernie

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  16. Hi Bernie, that photo with the baby being held in front of the quilt is fabulous! Some of your quilting terms are lost on me but I do admire your skills and creativity. I did some patch work back in the day but nothing as grand as yours or on such a scale. Yes it’s all a balancing act and whatever we do it’s creative and keeping our brains ticking over – so it’s good!!

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    1. Ah that lovely photo is of our youngest grandson in front of his quilt. Which sadly was too big for a baby and sits bunched up on a shelf. Maybe someday it will come down and he will love it. My patchwork isn’t all that fancy but I do love the creative side of it and as you said that’s good for our brains. Bernie

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    1. Thanks Liz. There were, of course, more photos but I stopped at those ones. I love making and gifting them. Sadly neither of my children want a quilt by me but my grandkids have several each. Bernie

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