The gifted quilt.

[navygreen]

Years back, my Aunt Mary introduced our family to a new type of quilt: she called it 'Watercolor.' In this style of quilting, the seamstress attempts to create a picture in the overall piece using lots and lots of small (2" by 2") patches of fabrics in coordinating colors (see some examples here.) She made a few of these image quilts, and I remember being fascinated with them. She put up a wall of felt, and she would move small swatches of fabric around on the wall until she had the picture just as she wanted it before beginning to piece the quilt together. I remember, too, that she hoped to soon make a watercolor quilt with even tinier size swatches - 1" by 1". These were called "postage-stamp" watercolor quilts, but I don't know if she completed one of that size or not.

I was mesmerized by the idea. So much so, that I went out and bought several "fat quarters" of fabric. I'd look for fabric any time I was at the store, buying strange colors and patterns, hoping to stock up for the quilt I would one day make. The caveat, though? I didn't know how to sew myself. Not only that, I had zero desire to learn. For a few years, all these pieces of fabric just sat around in a craft bin, and even the bin itself was beginning to collect dust. Finally, I mailed all the fabric pieces off to my older sister, in hopes that she would be able to use them for some project or another. Since she is a seamstress, I knew she'd put them to good use, and I was okay with parting with the fabric.

And I hadn't thought about the fabric or the quilts again in years - probably not seven or eight, at least. Out of sight, out of mind, I suppose.

But on the 10th of January, I arrived home from work to find a large box on my doorstep. I brought it inside and was bemused by the sender. Alison Healy? Who is that? I thought. I figured it must be a mistake, but I opened the box anyway. Inside, I was surprised to find a large, lovely quilt! Not only that, but on the back, there was a special message - which meant that it really was for me!


Quilt from Erica.

My sister had made a quilt using all those bits and pieces of fabric I had mailed her years before! And it has been so, so long that I only recognize one fabric as is. But the quilt is beautiful, and it is huge. It is also the only quilt I have that I can use. (My Granny made a quilt for me, but it is so delicate that I won't pull it out until the boys are older. I'm afraid of washing it too many times.)

I took a few more pictures of the quilt, and Jack decided to loll around on it as I did so. These pictures, in fact, were the very first ones I took with my new cam, and then it took me a while to get my card reader to recognize the compact flash card (versus our old SD or XD cards). Finally, I got the pictures off, and I emailed my sister to thank her and share the photos. And now, I'm sharing the rest of the pictures with all of you. :-)

Comments

[poetlady.livejournal.com]

It's lovely!!!!!

I have a quilt my cousin made me. She made 3 matching quilts for each of my kids when each of them was born. It's precious to me. It's not as colorful and varied as yours though, I LOVE all the variety of fabric in yours. I do like mine too of course, since it was made by family:)

Maria

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

Well, I guess I tried to pick up very different, very colorful fabric back when I bought the pieces. I dunno - I really don't remember most of it.

[shoebox_addict]

Such a nice quilt! Ooh, and the first pics with your new camera. We're honored. ;)

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

All taken on Auto setting. I was too afraid to try anything else just yet. ;-)

[posthaste.livejournal.com]

that is absolutely beautiful.

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

And coming from someone who knows how to sew, that is an even more profound compliment. :-)

[melissa72.livejournal.com]

Oh, what a gift!!!

I just started teaching myself to sew last year about this time, and a couple of months later decided to try to teach myself how to quilt. I've learned quickly that buying fabrics is a huge part of the fun of sewing, so I know exactly why you bought those fat quarters - they are just so much fun to buy!!!

I'm sure your sister was so excited while she worked on it, knowing how surprised you were going to be when you saw the finished product.

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

I do all kinds of other crafty things, but sewing - nay, even the thought of sewing - just bores me to tears.

[wholuvsya.livejournal.com]

oooh what a pretty quilt :D If mine turns out HALF that nice I'll be pleased :D

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

You'll be sure to post pics, yes?

[wholuvsya.livejournal.com]

in three or four years when it's done LOL just kidding, I hope to have it done for our anniversary in July. Keep in mind that I am handsewing it, though, not using a machine!

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

Handsewing - that's impressive!

[rafferty.livejournal.com]

Sweet, that's a cool quilt!

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

Speaking of cool, I love how quilts always feel kinda cool when you first put them on. Then they warm right up. :-)

[rafferty.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing after I made the comment :)

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

Hehehe.

[blaqeyedpea81.livejournal.com]

That's beautiful! My step-grandmother made a quilt for me about 10 years ago. I'm using it now as my day-to-day bed throw. The only thing I wish I'd done, because for some reason she didn't, was strengthen the outside hem. Because it's fraying more and more each day. But I love it so much I don't want to put it up. I may have to find a way to fix it now that I'm thinking about it. Now I want to learn how to quilt myself, it's such a creative outlet and probably very rewarding ;) Enjoy the beautiful blanket!

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

Another keeping me from using the one quilt is that there's no way to keep the cats off the bed. And if the cats were on that quilt all the time, I'd really have to wash it often (the hair would show up badly), and I just don't know how many washings it can withstand.

[mayna.livejournal.com]

that's a gorgeous quilt!!!

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

Yep. :-)

[butterflymama3.livejournal.com]

Wow, that is beautiful!

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

I am very lucky. :-)

[jillerbob.livejournal.com]

i love it.. its beautiful. i love those watercolor quilts you may have given me an idea, I have a box full of material and none of it matches just right but it would be perfect for a watercolor quilt but i prolly wouldnt start till the kids are older but what a great way to collect material. I know just how precious that quilt is I have 2 that my grandmother made me and i will not put them out until my kids are older because i dont want them ruined.

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

I remember how hard I was as a kid on my mom's quilts... and I don't wish that for my two!