![]() ![]() It’s been 9 years since I first published this pattern and felt like it was time for an update. It’s also a great project for a beginning quilter. This simple patchwork quilt is perfect for a scrappy look and showing-off a fun feature print fabric. She approved the final layout.This quick and easy quilt is one of my most popular quilt tutorials of all time: a fast, beginner-friendly Fast Four Patch Quilt. And recently, I made one for my now adult daughter from one of your patterns, Amy. (Mine is still in the making…) Although they are “child sized” (since they were children at the time) they all still love and use them. Each of my kids has one made from shirts that my late husband used to wear. She said they’d put them on the wall – I begged her to let the kids enjoy them. I made two for a friend who adopted two children within a short time. I have made several quilts that are meant to be loved. One time the person working on the barrels commented that, in that day, these barrels were used in the way we use cardboard boxes now. I would look at all the work that goes into making one barrel, and think what a wonderful piece! It should be saved and used for something special. I remember visiting Old Sturbridge Village in MA with my kids – I loved visiting the Cooper’s shop (where they make barrels). I have always felt that quilts are to be used and loved. Quilters can also send in blocks using this pattern to be used for charity quilts for trauma victims. You can read more about what it means to make quilts for keeps on the Quilt For Keeps website where Amy is also sharing a free pattern download for those who take the pledge. I know I need to stop waiting and just start cutting into these prints to make something we can all love and use to remind us of that experience together.Īmy has issued a call out to quilters to take the pledge to make more quilts with meaning. My family is all reminiscing a lot more about our English adventure last summer now that we’re approaching the 1-yr anniversary of the experience. I want to just slow down and interject more projects that mean something to all of us.įor example, I’ve been hoarding collecting London/British-themed prints for years now, waiting for just the right time to do something with them. ![]() So many of my projects recently have been for deadlines or patterns. Reading For Keeps has motivated me to make more quilts with meaning to my family. That personality comes through throughout the book – reading Amy’s voice as she talks about choosing fabric or what inspires her own quilts makes you feel like you’re with an encouraging friend. I met Amy a few years ago at the Sewing Summit and was struck then by what a happy and genuine person she is. Not only the gorgeous photographs and projects through out, but Amy (pictured above in the book with her cute twins) also has a way with words. There is also a gorgeous and informative section about fabric selection, sorting and storage.įinally, this book is just inspiring. So if you’re looking for a book to give to a beginner, this one is a great resource. Everything from tools, to choosing a sewing machine, cutting and piecing, sashing and borders, quilting and finishing a quilt. So great to have a resource to share now!įor Keeps also has an extensive 25-page section with lots of quilt-making basics. I’ve had people ask me in the past about photograph quilts and haven’t really known how to help because I’ve never made one myself. There’s even a quilt made from scanned favorite photos called Filmstrip with instructions for multiple ways to put your favorite photos onto fabric for this project. ![]() The book is full of beautiful photos and projects to inspire you to think about as well as create quilts with meaning. She encourages us to make quilts that are used – that in Amy’s words, “soak up meaning through our times together, that become heirlooms… because of the stories they tell and the stories they inspire.” I love that! But that doesn’t mean they all need to be put away in a ‘safe place’ where no on touches them. I have other quilts with meaning that I’ve given away – like my Irish flags quilt and other flag quilts for friends – but I need to do more for my own family.Īmy Gibson has recently written a book called For Keeps: Meaningful Patchwork for Everyday Living with this very purpose in mind: creating quilts that have meaning. At the end of the lecture/talk I shared a couple of quilts that have the most personal meaning to me – like my Union Jack Quilt and my Gratitude Quilt. And it got me thinking, I really need to make more quilts that have meaning to record some of our family story. I just got home from giving a Trunk Show and lecture last night. ![]()
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