July 6, 2009

My First Quilt

First Carrie at LaVieEnRoise and Camille at Simplify have challenged readers to show their first quilt along with their most recent quilt.  I've shown this once before, but here again is my very first quilt, in all it's mismatched points' glory.


I started making this quilt in 1993.  It was a pattern from Quiltmaker magazine called Winkin' Blinkin' and Nod.  From this project I learned that templates are not for beginners, and that cardboard does not make a suitable template for rotary cutting.  What difference does it make if you slice off a little sliver of cardboard with each cut?  A lot, apparently!


Notice, if you will, the intersections of the pinwheel blocks in my second photo that don't come anywhere close to meeting!  Click the photo to get a closer look.  Go ahead.  I guarantee it will make anyone feel better about their piecing skills!  (and you can probably see my wonky attempt at machine quilting as well)


First2My quilt guild did a "Then and Now" feature at their show in 2008 and my first quilt was displayed along with a sampler quilt that I finished in 2007.  Yes, I do feel like I have grown a great deal in my technique since 1993.


For this blog post, I'm going to show another picture of my most recent finish - the Paisley Parade top designed by Laurie Simpson that was on the cover of Quilt Sampler magazine last summer.


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Posted by Lisa D. at 12:50 PM
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19 comments:

  1. RCJuly 6, 2009 at 1:49:00 PM PDT

    I don't think your first attempt is bad at all! I'm cracking up at your using a cardboard template. Too funny! I LOVE your latest finish. Really BEAUTIFUL!

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  2. CarrieJuly 6, 2009 at 2:42:00 PM PDT

    Cardboard templates... it's amazing that whole generations of women didn't quit quilting completely! Of course, it might explain all those applique quilts... food for thought. :)
    I love both quilts ~ and, yes, I really do love Winkin! It's got personality! When you decide to try something, you sure did jump in with both feet!
    Good job on both quilts ~ and thank you for sticking with quilting all these years! I might not have met you otherwise and I would have missed that. :)

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  3. sherriJuly 6, 2009 at 2:49:00 PM PDT

    I love them both...I admire you for starting with such a difficult pattern...I didn't use a template for years after I started quilting! And of course I love your Prairie Paisley quilt!

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  4. kathieJuly 6, 2009 at 7:19:00 PM PDT

    Love this prairie paisley quilt
    I wish I would have a bought a kit for it.
    beautiful.
    wow that was ambitious of you making that as your first quilt!
    its great!
    Kathie

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  5. KarenJuly 7, 2009 at 12:21:00 AM PDT

    You're hilarious! I loved reading about your first quilt. So funny about the cutting and templates. In all seriousness though, that quilt is really quite lovely. I mean that, too. Not that I write things I don't intend to say but I'm just sayin' ~ I mean it! :)

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  6. NicoleJuly 7, 2009 at 12:43:00 AM PDT

    I am getting there with my Prairie Paisley! One more border....

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  7. CandaceJuly 7, 2009 at 3:29:00 AM PDT

    Having seen your current piecing skills, Lisa, I know you've come a long way (as have most of us) - you're certainly one of my role models! I really love your first quilt - to think you did that with cardboard templates is amazing!
    Cheers!

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  8. TiffanyJuly 7, 2009 at 3:30:00 AM PDT

    Wow, I still love your first quilt. I have a special place in my heart for pinwheels, even the mismatched ones. :)

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  9. Camille RoskelleyJuly 9, 2009 at 4:57:00 PM PDT

    Even if your points don't line up perfectly, it still rocks for a first quilt! That is a tough first project! Love your prairie paisley quilt- I had that one on my list and is just never happened. After seeing yours, I'm definitely kicking myself. Gorgeous!

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  10. ShastaJuly 10, 2009 at 12:25:00 AM PDT

    Your first one is a really pretty quilt - I like the secondary designs that come out. It just goes to show you that you can have a beautiful quilt even ifyou don't match up all your points.

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  11. pat sloanJuly 13, 2009 at 3:49:00 AM PDT

    your first quilt is wonderful!!

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  12. CindyJuly 13, 2009 at 7:05:00 AM PDT

    Pinwheels are harder to match up than they look, I know bz mine aren't perfect either but I choose to think that they have character! LOL! I love the pattern and that last quilt is stunning! Cindy

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  13. Jo Ann MathewsJuly 13, 2009 at 10:01:00 AM PDT

    i think they are both quite nice, although I loooove that second one!

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  14. Magnolia Bay QuiltsJuly 13, 2009 at 10:14:00 AM PDT

    You really did choose a difficult pattern for your first quilt, but it turned out nicely! Love the Prairie Paisley quilt, too. Great fabrics and a pretty design.

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  15. AmandaJuly 15, 2009 at 8:15:00 AM PDT

    I think you did a great job with your first quilt, especially since you used cardboard templates.
    Your latest finish is beautiful!

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  16. amberJuly 20, 2009 at 3:21:00 AM PDT

    Wow, that was an impressive quilt pattern to begin with! It is beautiful and so is your most recent finish. I love the fabrics/colors you chose for the second one. Very pretty! Good job!

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  17. ConnieJuly 20, 2009 at 10:14:00 AM PDT

    Wow, I can't believe these "first quilts" out there. Apparently I've got a long way to go. Your quilts are great!

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  18. DeborahJuly 21, 2009 at 4:31:00 AM PDT

    I like them both!! I think there should be a rule that we never point out our mistakes. My quilts are on my Stitched Together blog. Please stop by.

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  19. JodiJuly 28, 2009 at 8:05:00 AM PDT

    I LOVE LOVE LOVE the paisley quilt! It's gorgeous!

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