This is a quilt that I thought I would never see again. Imagine my surprise when I walked into my MIL's living room a few months ago, and this quilt was on the couch!
Way back when I started quilting in 1991 or 1992, The first two projects I made in my quilting class were quillows without any piecing. The next project was an Amish Center Diamond wallhanging, which BTW is STILL a UFO. I'll have to dig it out and take a picture of it one of these days. After that, the next project I made was my first actual finished pieced project...the pink and blue monstrosity you see in this photo.
I decided that I would make a quilt for my in-laws for Christmas that year (1993 probably. I had no stash, but wanted a scrappy quilt. Somehow I decided that pink and blue pinwheels would be a good idea. I went to every store around to buy fabric, and I bought everything in 'those' colors that I could find. Apparently I didn't know about any values besides medium. LOL. I also didn't know very much about grainline, because I cut the triangles everywhich way and ended up with tons of bias on the outsides of all these pieces. Anwyay, this quilt is BIG, double bed size, probably. Can you tell by the picture that I tied it with embroidery floss, and sewed round the edges with RST then turned it right sides out. LOL, no binding.
I proudly gave the quilt to the inlaws for Christmas, she oooohed and ahhhed over it that day. Then I NEVER SAW IT AGAIN. FOr years and years and years. Once she told me that she has it stored in the attc because it was TOO GOOD TO USE. I was mortified, and angry. Ugh.
Fast forward to a few months ago: The kids were at MIL house, I went to pick them up and the pile of pillows and blankets that my FIL sleeps with were piled on the couch, and THAT QUILT was in the pile. I was shocked. I think maybe she decided that it was okay for FIL and the dog to use it.
9 comments:
what a great gift for you to see the quilt being loved!
At least you know now that it is being appreciated! But I think my first quilt was also blues and pinks and I also gave that one away. It was a log cabin. I was just like you and have come a long way on the great fabric appreciation train!
It is always nice to know that a guilt that was given with the intent that it be used and not packed away has been! My first bed sized quilt was a pink and blue one too!
Be thankful they ever 'oohed and ahhed' some of us don't even get that ;) And, from what you've said, your FIL may be sleeping on the couch...quite possibly with the dog...so, you see? It could be lots worse;) Oh, and my first quilt was brown. And...being dark brown, it faded all over, unevenly in less than 6 months. I cried. All things considered, this quilt looks pretty darn good to me...and probably feels even better to your FIL...and the dog :)
I rather like it! At least it's a lot prettier than the carpet in that room.
Great story! Some of those first quilts that we make sort of scream to me "WHY?" I knew nothing about value nor color either when I started and some horrors I've made I hope never turn up again!
And as for being appreciated or not. My MIL has a couple things that I guess she doesn't much like from me either.
Wow, that was an ambitious first (finished) quilt and so sweet that you gave it to your inlaws! It may not be completely to their taste, but it seems they're using it and it sounds like they appreciated it.
Hi Tracey,
You have been tagged by me. Check out my post for the rules!
You know what Tracey, I think it's beautiful in it's intention and love. As for mother-in-laws, make a mental note of all that is less than wonderful about her and then VOW never to 'be' that kind of MIL to your kids spouses...I did, and it's worked well. I think you did very well for your experience level, we all have to start somewhere. Big hugs, Finn
Post a Comment