My First Piecing

Thirty-four years ago, I pieced my first quilt - and this is it.  It was a crib quilt for my first grandchild who was born that August and who is now expecting her first child this August.  My daughter washed it and brought it over last night so that I can tuck it in the box with the little wallhanging. 

It always amazes me what there was in the way of fabric back in the mid to late 70's.  Quilter's dots, small calicoes, solids, gingham checks - not much zing for sure.  However, there were still very pretty quilts being made.  For this one, I had some cardboard templates and a ballpoint pen that I traced with.  That was a lot of tracing and cutting with the scissors.  How much easier and more accurate the rotary cutter and mat have made prep work.  I am also amazed that I matched my points pretty well. 

The center of the little quilt - Trip Around the World.  Actually the colors are holding up quite well.  This was one of the quilts that I took to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, to be quilted.  The lady who did the quilting did a lovely job.  Later on I did a red one (a picture is on the side bar) and had it quilted there, also. 

I think this little Steiff bear from Germany that I have had for some time is going to go along for the ride in the box with the quilt and wallhanging and move into the nursery in Colorado and be there to welcome the new little baby.  (Click to enlarge)