Thursday 6 October 2016

Not All About Me!

I'm going to start this post with a story....
 Recently six of us were having dinner at the home of some close friends. We had all started the evening with some pre-dinner Prosecco and by the time dinner was served the others had all moved on to regular red or white wine, whereas I still finishing off my Prosecco. (I know, not like me to be taking my time!) As we sat at the table our host was topping everyone else’s glasses up and asked me would I like some more Prosecco. Now, I was really looking forward to changing to a glass of white wine and probably should have said “No Thank you, but I’d love a glass of that Sauvignon Blanc please”. Instead, having noticed that he had emptied the previous bottle of Prosecco I said “Oh no, don’t open another bottle just for me”, to which our host replied “It’s not all about you, you know Gina, other people might want some.” And that was me put in my place!


To be fair, I don’t think he meant anything by it and was (I hope) just jesting, and I probably wouldn’t have even mentioned it except it leads me neatly to the point of this post.  And that is not all my sixty by sixty challenges are all about me having exciting new experiences or going to new places etc. but they also include doing things for other people. The whole idea of setting myself this challenge was not so much a "Bucket List" but was more about seizing the moment so that instead of  all those times I would say “I’d like to do that one day” or “I’ll get around to that soon” I would actually do things. Because the older I get the more I realise that there is no time like the present and there is no point putting things off because let’s face it… life is short and none of us know what is in store for our future.


Something I’ve often thought I would like to do is make a patchwork quilt. Now I have tried… I've got the books and I have started at least two which are still languishing in my workroom somewhere but somehow I never seem to get around to finishing them. I get bored stitching all those pieces of fabric together, then I lose concentration and the pieces end up wonky or not aligned properly and my corners never match, I get frustrated and the project gets abandoned. I've completed some table mats and even some cushions but never a big quilt... actually not entirely true as I did this huge memory quilt but it didn't involve any accurate piecing so I don't feel it counts!


Of course the sensible thing would be to finish off those half finished quilts but I thought I might have more success if I started from scratch and made a quilt for someone else so when I heard about Project Linus a charity that provide quilts and blankets for sick, disabled and disadvantaged children, I knew this would give me the incentive to make and finish a quilt.

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I used some fabrics I bought in a charity sale at our Embroiderers’ Guild branch plus some bits and pieces I already had. I dug out my rotary cutter and walking foot... (see, I've got all the gear!)


And hey presto...three weeks later I have a quilt! There are wonky bits and corners that don’t match (below) … but there are also some corners that are really good (above)! And although I’m not terribly sure I liked the colours  (they've grown on me) and wished I’d been a bit more adventurous with the design I’m quite pleased with the way it’s turned out


It's soft and warm...


And pretty!


And I've ticked off another sixty by sixty challenge to make a quilt for Project Linus



And even though I did get a bit bored stitching all those squares together I think I'd like to make another one and be a bit more adventerous with the design and colours... so with that in mind I bought some fabrics when I was at the Knitting and Stitching show yesterday only to find my colour palette is pretty much the same as the last one! Oh well... perhaps I should just aim to get all the corners matching next time.


But at the end of the day it’s not all about me and I’m hoping that there is a little person somewhere who will come to love their very own quilt… because it was certainly made with lots of love. And what's more,  I enjoyed myself in the process.

23 comments:

  1. What a lovely idea. Sometimes it's more fun to do something for someone else who will appreciate it rather than for yourself. Your corners look wonderful to me and the whole quilt looks fantastic:) B x

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  2. What a lovely idea. I love your quilt, wonky and perfect corners and all. I use a 1/4 inch quilting foot to keep the corners as neat as possible. I might make a Project Linus quilt, I would love to make something specifically for a young child because there are such sweet fabrics. Your bunny and penguin fabrics are adorable. x

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  3. It is absolutely beautiful and I'm sure will be loved and treasured by its new owner. The prints of your new fabrics are so cute - are they jelly rolls? Looking forward to seeing your next design.

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  4. That is a great idea.Iwas looking into the Linus Charity the other night and thinking of knitting a blanket but a quilted one is a good idea.I,also, have all the gear from years gone by and following your inspiration I may give it a go.Thank you.

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    1. You won't regret it! I found it really motivating to make the quilt for the charity.

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  5. that penguin print is going to make an outstanding quilt. Here the charity blankets are mostly knitted or crocheted. One of my sisters makes the squares, and the other makes the blankets.

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  6. I love the colours, it is so pretty. I don't think the quilt police would be after you.

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  7. Dear Gina, thank you for relating the Prosecco story and how in a way it sparked a new addition to your growing 60 by 60 accomplishments. Truly, when I consider all the hours that you've spent teaching embroidery and creating fabulous one off cakes for special occasions and all sorts of other things, it's been clear to me for a long while that you have a long record of thinking of and caring for others.

    The quilt is a beauty! xo

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  8. Lovely idea and execution. A friend makes quilts for Linus, small ones that are placed over the incubators of premature babies. It's win - win all round because even if it's not all about you, you'll know that your will carry with it your endeavour and kind heart.

    Looking forward to more 60 by 60 tales soon.

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    1. Thanks Colleen. I think that is the appeal that it is win win all round. Not all about me but still lots of fun and satisfying for me!

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  9. Someone is going to get a beautiful quilt.

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  10. It's beautiful Gina - and matches your beautiful heart.
    See, I can be nice. x

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  11. What a beautiful post Gina and the quilt is beautiful too. I like those colours and think they are just right for someone who is ill - gentle and soothing. The fabrics for the next one are fun. Looking forward to seeing it.

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  12. SOOOO sweet Gina! That is my very favorite kind of quilt -- pretty little blocks sewn together in a pleasing way. I love your label too!

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  13. I've made lots of baby quilts. When I give them, I say "use it, wear it out, throw it out". They are designed to be used, and any slight imperfections are a good thing. I don't want my quilts to be too precious to use - they are designed to be wee-ed on, poo-ed on, sicked on, dragged round the floor, and thrown in the washing machine. Perfect quilts just get put on a wall, or, worse, put in a drawer. So your quilts feel right to be used. The best possible purpose for them. Celebrate the imperfect corner. Always 'made with love' and 'designed for cuddling'. Well done you!

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    1. I couldn't agree more Cathy. A quilt should be used not put away or hung on a wall.

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  14. Well done Gina. I have started a handpieced item many years ago but, frankly, I can't see the point of cutting up fabrics to stich together again so have never attempted another.

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  15. How very lovely Gina. So impressed with your 60 by 60. If you're ever planning one of the 60 challenges in the Bristol area please come and stay (bungee jumping off the Suspension Bridge perhaps!?) I did the catering for a civil partnership a few years ago (in fact in a marquee at a venue where they used to stage the GBBO! ) These guys set themselves of working through the alphabet with iconic places to visit each year. Some are far flung whilst others closer to home. I know D was for Dover and E was Edinburgh. J was Jordan. Think they are on about L! Yes I think you have set yourself a good challenge. Good on you! x

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    1. I think I can safely say I won't be doing a bungee jump off the suspension bridge or off anywhere for that matter but it would be lovely to see you again sometime! I used to live in Clifton when I was doing my teaching qualification... Many years ago! I like the idea of working through the alphabet of places to visit. There was a play on the radio recently that was a similar theme, but experiences through the alphabet.

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  16. Hi, I have not read your blog before but came to it in a roundabout way as one does. I am a Portage visitor in East Sussex and we get quilts from the Linus Project and give them to the children we visit who have complex mental and physical special needs. A quilt is such a comforting thing, not only for the child but also for their family. To know someone has taken time to make a quilt with lots of thought, labour and love is so special. Thank you. Sue x

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    1. It was a pleasure Susan... and welcome! I posted the quilt off yesterday and look forward to making more.

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  17. Thank you for reminding me about the Linus quilt project, I think I read about it before, but had forgotten it. I would like to make a Linus quilt, I will go off and read about the project for the future. Your work is perfect Gina, my recent forays in to quilting have not produced anything a quarter as neat as this! X

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