Tuesday, 3 September 2019

Quilters Meet & Greet

I do not consider myself a quilter - even though I've made a few quilts. I've been sewing for many years, but it's only in recent years that I've added quilting to my repertoire. So I was pleasantly surprised when Benita invited me to the 2019 Online Quilters Meet and Greet, with a Great Grand Prize - link to enter at end of post.  It's a great opportunity to meet real quilters, and also a good time for me to look at the progress I've made on my quilting journey.


The zig zag quilt was my first venture into quilting and my first time using a rotary cutter. I joined a sew-along and learned so much. The end result is by no means perfect, but I was, and still am, so proud of my creation. To see my youngest son wrapped in his quilt when we'd Skype warmed my heart. Neither he, nor anyone else in the family noticed any mistakes.

Measurements for the Scrappy Quilt
Almost two years later my eldest son received his Scrappy Quilt - my second quilt. No following a design or pattern for this one. I jumped in and did the blocks and the narrow sashing myself. At that point I headed to my local quilt shop where the owner spent a lot of time helping me with the rest. She was a fountain of knowledge. 


It was while quilting my third quilt, the Peter Rabbit Log Cabin quilt, that I worked out why there was a lot of puckering on my first two quilts. I hadn't attached the walking foot correctly! That's what happens when you teach yourself - it can be a bit hit and miss.


Soon afterwards came the Fairy Panel Wholecloth quilt. At the time, I didn't count this as a quilt, but readers told me in no uncertain terms that I was wrong. This was my first time hand quilting - the first three I machine quilted myself. And it will probably be my last. Even though I enjoy hand sewing, I didn't enjoy hand quilting - too awkward and I couldn't get the stitches anywhere near even. Still, another notch in the belt. Along with the Peter Rabbit quilt, this one has been in constant use - a win win for me.


The same year saw the Barcelona Strip and Flip quilt - my fifth quilt -the second, and last, time I've followed a pattern. I learn a lot about pressing seams - open or to the side - with this quilt. 

Measurements for the Shirt Quilt
After a gap of two years came my sixth quilt - the Shirt Quilt. All the blocks are made from 100% cotton pre-loved shirts. The design I did myself. There's a pattern emerging here - I do like to experiment and do my own thing. At this stage it's all very simple, but as long as I'm learning, I'm happy. My Mum scored this one.

Measurements for the Robot Quilt + PDFs of the robots
The Robot Quilt - my seventh - was a little more adventurous. My youngest son did all the drawings, and I turned them into a quilt, again of my own design. This went to one of the younger members of the family, but my eldest son - an adult - has asked for one. It's on the To Do list.

Measurements for Mini Log Cabin Quilt
Another year on, and my Mini Log Cabin quilt was done. It only took me four years!!!


Finished last year is a very unconventional quilt - the Silk Screen Printed Silhouette quilt. This was a collaboration with my daughter after we both attended a silk screen printing workshop. She did all the silk screen printing and I put it all together. I stalled many times during the process, taking four years in total to finish. I was relieved, but pleased when it was done.

That's the majority of the quilts I've made. In some instances it's been a couple of years between quilts, but that's because I've been busy sewing other things. I'm in the process of hand sewing a Grandmothers Flower Garden hexie quilt. It'll be a while before that one's finished!!!

Almost all of my quilts have gone to family members, so I get to see them in use, and that gives me a lot of pleasure. Some family members are asking for second quilts. It was hard enough working out priorities and who got what quilt first.


Enough talking about me. Head on over to Benita Skinner's Creative Space to meet all the quilters taking part in this year's Meet & Greet. 


And there's awesome goodies to be won in the Great Grand Prize. From every page you visit, you'll be able to enter to win the Great Grand Prize - one entry for every blog you visit by following the Great Grand Prize link.

bloglovin


... Pam




41 comments:

  1. Well lovely....you are officially a quilter after all of that!! Wonderful

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  2. If you have made a quilt you are a quilter!! Nice meeting you:)

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  3. with all those quilts under your belt I would say you qualify as a quilter!

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  4. I have known you a while Pam, but didn't know about some of those quilts you made. I remember the silhouette one when you were working on it and love that quilt!

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  5. Hi it was fun to see your work and the progression. You have a fun style.
    I sure would say you are quilter!

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  6. Love your quilting history. Your quilts are wonderful. Great collaboration with your daughter on the silk screen piece, simply stunning.

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  7. What lovely quilts, and enjoyed seeing them in progression! Keep quilting, you are doing great!

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  8. All so pretty. Glad to have found your blog. Now following.

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  9. I love your shirt quilt. It is nice to see how you have come along in your quilting.

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  10. I totally get the "don't really follow a pattern" personality. I am that way myself most often. You sure have made some lovely quilts for not being a "quilter" :) And I certainly think you have a talent for it.

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  11. How fun to make a quilt with your sons drawings!! I know what you mean by teaching yourself-- there's always a learning curve. Beautiful quilts!

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  12. Hi Pam! It is wonderful to watch your progression through the years. You are definitely a quilter, whether you want to be one or not. Repeat customers are just the best thing, don't you think? To think of your sons wrapped in your own creation and love, getting a {{hug}} from mom each time the use the quilt is just the best. This post made me smile the whole way through. ~smile~ Roseanne

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  13. for self taught your work is great!!! I love the fact that you do not feel the need for a pattern.....your creativity shines.

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  14. Whatever else you might dabble in, seeing the above, you are definitely a quilter in my book! Thanks for sharing your work.

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  15. Love all of your quilts, great job.

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  16. I hadn't realised just how many quilts you have actually made Pam, that is an impressive collection! I love how you have made each one your own too.

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  17. So many fabulous quilts, I have just finished a hexie quilt myself and it took a long time but was worth it. x

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  18. I love all your cute tutorials. It has been good to meet new bloggers on this blog hop!

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  19. What an eclectic portfolio! I especially like the collaborative silk screen project. It's fun to meet new-to-me quiltmakers.

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  20. You have so many great quilts I don't know if I can pick a favorite. As I read your post and was scrolling along it was Oh I love this, Oh I really love this. You are truly an artist. Thanks for sharing.

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  21. Your strip and flip quilt looks like a good one to start with. I'm hoping my quilting will grow as I spend more time at my new hobby.

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  22. For "not being a quilter", you certainly have made some wonderful quilts! Thanks for sharing them in the Meet and Greet.

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  23. Thank you so much for nice quilts!

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  24. I loved reading about your quilting journey. I like that you branch out and make your own designs. Love the robots.

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    1. p.s. I forgot to tell you I find it hard to do even hand quilting myself....but I kind of like doing it. At least on small things.

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  25. Thank you for sharing your quilting journey, your quilts are all beautiful.

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  26. Great seeing your quilting journey!

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  27. Yes, you are a quilter! Isn't it wonderful to see your gifted quilts being used?! Thanks for sharing.

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  28. I love not following patterns!

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  29. You are so creative!! Loved seeing your quilts & all about how you learned...

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  30. I love all your quilts but it especially good to see more masculine ones! I have an upcycled shirt quilt on the go but have lost my mojo... I shall keep looking at yours as inspiration to get me motivated! xx

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    1. I've lost my mojo again, too, Josie - mainly due to lack of time. Hope yours returns soon.

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  31. What an amazing range of quilts you have created. I love reading about your learning journey and can't believe you handquilted that Fairy panel (I don't have the patience to do hand quilting - I did once hand stipple the centre panel of a lap quilt and was pleased with it, but don't think I'll do it again on anything big at least.) Love your shirt quilt - very effective.

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  32. I definitely think you are a quilter, and a quilt designer too.!! You've got some great ones here. Thanks for sharing, nice to meet you.

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  33. I believe you are officially a quilter! Very nice quilts! Thanks so much for sharing!

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  34. Oh, you are in deed a quilter and a very creative one at that. Many people cannot produce without a pattern and detailed instruction, but you just start and improv your way to success. Lovely collection.

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  35. Beautiful and very different quilts, you are a great quilter!

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  36. Wow, I am lost for words, these are all treasures,

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  37. Your quilts are fabulous! You are a great quilter. I'm currently shifting gears and doing more quilt work than sewing for the time being. I'm making a friend a Christmas quilt but she IS a quilter, so I am a littler nervous. But, I think it is nice to get something you love without the pains of having to make it yourself....I hope anyway!

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  38. You definitely can refer to yourself as a quilter, my dear! These are fabulous! Isn't it great that we can learn new skills and techniques at any stage of our artistic journey? I am Jayne, a fellow featured guest in Benita's Meet and Greet. Waiting until the last minute to visit everyone!

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