I’m whipping up a drag-around blanket for Charlotte. She’s getting
pretty attached to a thread-bare quilt I made in high school and I
can’t have that, can I? Not with a bunch of Freshcut in my shelves.
I’m not doing anything elaborate. Just a big piece of this fabric,
with a couple of borders around the edge. The goal is soft. Soft,
soft. So, the fewer seams the better and it must be tied or loosely
quilted. Otherwise, I’ll never get her to make the switch. I’ll do a
trickier, pieced quilt next, but for now I’m all about replacing that
other blanket. If I can happily toss this one in the washing machine
when needed, with no guilt, then it’s just right. It does have a fun
bias ruffle for a border though. You’ll see. It keeps the blanket
from looking too much like the cheater quilt that it is. Oops, did I
say that? Cheater quilts are great. And crazy-big prints make cheater
quilts easy.
So, then Elijah caught on and decided to make Charlotte a doll
blanket as his first attempt at the sewing machine. His design. His
stitching. No quicky, drag-around blanket like mom’s either. This one
would have a tricky, pieced border. And, wow, he did a pretty amazing
job of it. I only babysat that first row of stitching and all of the
cutting. He kept his seam allowances in check and hung in there until
the top was pieced. It looks like he’s ready to expand beyond
hand-stitching. Lego skills come in handy.
I have to make one this weekend for my youngest daughter and I love your fabrics they look great for little girls.
Watching kids sew is exciting, isn’t it? It gives them a lot of confidence. You must be so proud! And how sweet to make something for his sister! What a good brother. It’s nice to see that.
Love it!
It’s always fun to watch our kids create things! You must be proud!
Ahh, what a sweet, sweet momma to make her girlie a totally handmade blankie……from the fabric to the stitches! Priceless~ And then Elijah’s gift of love, how special is that! Go Elijah! Ohh, I’d love to see photos of his first project sometime if you get a chance! 🙂 Thanks for sharing this fun post with us! Happy Friday~
Wow! Just found your blog. I am lovin the fabrics. Good job girl! Your son is precious. My 5 year old has been making pillowcases, so cute! Hey, sometimes threadbare is the best. Just well loved.
It’s nice to see a brother wanting to do something special for his sister!
Yes, I would love to see Elijah’s finished blanket too. My son Alex has been reverse-engineering my sewing machine; he insists on knowing how things work. Next he wants to learn how to use it. Thank you for always being an inspiration.
Sounds lovely!! Here is another idea on the blankie switch…my friend cut the threadbare quilt down to a smaller piece and attached the new quilt to it & it worked!!
I have not quilted in awhile and am on the look out for a new quilt kit… I have a pile of freshcut fat quarters that have been on the sewing table for awhile… I think you just inspired me to make a freshcut quilt for my daughter versus all the skirts and tops I was going to use them for.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Jess
San Diego, CA
exaggeratedelation.blogspot.com
Your fabric makes the best little girly blankets! I made one very similar to what you’re describing. It too was a cheater but your fabric is so lovely it doesn’t matter what you do…it’s beautiful! 🙂
Beautiful! Can’t wait to see that ruffle border! Yeah for your son, what a great big brother!
Your daughter’s quilt looks beautiful, and I love the Freshcut fabrics too. I am sure she will love it and gladly swap it for the other one. Congrats to your son to for achieving his first goal at the sewing machine all by himself too.
I’m working on a fresh cut quilt myself. imagine that lol.
Beautiful fabric, I finally got my hands on some. Can’t wait to get to work with it!
Hi Heather! I just wanted to say that I read your blog often. I just looked at your hubby’s photo site. You are both so talented…I can’t imagine how much talent your children have!! Those lucky ducks…LOL!! I am still waiting to order some of your fabric…can’t wait!!
Heather…
The blanket is just lovely… I have been noticing a quite a few bloggers who are quilting… ummmm maybe I will give it a try!
Smiles…
Beverly
Oh what an awesome thing! How proud he must be of his blanket.
Heather, How do you like to quilt better, by machine or by hand?
Just Curious! (;
Melissa
Very cool that the two of you are crafting together! And that he wanted to make something for his little sister. I can’t wait to see both projects finished up!
What a sweet quilt, I am hope the switch can be made easily!! I love tied quilts, they seem extra “hand made” that way. :o)
Amelia
Ohhh, I so need to make some Freshcut blankies for the twins! Of course, I’ll need to find the time to handsew 2 blankets….hmmm…I think I’ll try and find some talented quilter/seamstress to make them for me. :o)
I’m so lucky to have found that the quilt shop right across the street from our neighborhood has plenty of Freshcut fabric. They have a huge Freshcut quilt hanging on the wall that I’m coveting too. I wonder if/when they’ll sell it? teehee ;o)
I think it is so so wonderful he is learning these traits! 🙂 Your blankie project is lovely. I enjoy your blog very much.
I think it’s lovely that your son sews. Mine is 9 and has made a few things…a Halloween necktie for his puppy and a little stuffed elephant for me! Sweet. I love your blog and all of the beautiful things you’ve made. Your husband’s photographs are gorgeous, too!
Dear Heather,
I love your blog and so enjoyed reading about your son learning to sew!
My niece and nephew live next door and so I get to see them allot.
They love to sew and are learning to do knitting and crotching as well. They are 10 and 12, and it is really so inspiring to sew with!
I have gotten some of my best ideas sewing with them!
Speaking of men sewing, my dad is a fabulous sewer! He recovered some furniture and made the cushions himself by reading about how to do it!
I know you must be so proud of your son making something for his sister.
God bless,
Elaine