Several years ago I mentored a young friend for a year. She was working on her senior project for high school and wanted to learn how to quilt. She was an apt and eager student, and during the course of year, she completed several baby quilts which were donated to women in need who had infants.
Once the senior project was finished, my young friend wanted to make a quilt for her older sister. I gave her a bundle of fabric by Zen Chic called "Juggling Summer" and she chose a pattern she liked. My friend finished the quilt top and it was greatly admired by everyone, and then tucked away. Her family moved house, she started college and a job, but the quilt wasn't forgotten. Five years passed. The older sister has since married and moved to Georgia and had a baby of her own. The girls talk often and more often than not, the older sister reminds my friend of the quilt she was supposed to complete and give to her. It has become a source of sisterly teasing and frequent conversation. "So, where's my quilt?"
At long last, with some assistance, my young friend was connected with a long arm quilter who was able to machine quilt the quilt top both speedily and brilliantly. You see, the older sister is coming to California to visit and show off the baby in just a couple of weeks. Just under the wire, the quilt has been quilted, but still needs to have the binding hand sewn down. I gave my friend a lesson in hand sewing bindings and all the supplies she needs to complete the task. She says she is up to it, but if for any reason it looks like she needs help, I am at the ready. Big sister is going to get her quilt at last!
Her quilt looks great! I hope she caught the quilting bug for life!!
Posted by: T Holzer | June 18, 2019 at 06:25 AM
Some quilts just need to "age" for just the right time to give them. What lovely gift you gave this young woman in teaching her about quilting.
Posted by: Robby H. | June 18, 2019 at 06:56 AM
Great story! Thx for sharing it.
Posted by: Mary Kastner | June 18, 2019 at 07:12 AM
Nice story! Beautiful quilt!
Posted by: Debbie R. | June 18, 2019 at 07:22 AM
That quilt will be a great finished surprise for her sister! And, a lesson in UFO finishes for your student! I hope someone takes a picture of 'the' moment!
Posted by: Jan | June 18, 2019 at 07:32 AM
What a happy quilt, a wonderful story , and best of all: a happy ending! Love the swirling quilting pattern, tooo. Another best is that your young friend has another quilt to be proud of and she's likely to carry on quilting for lots of fun in her future - thanks to an excellent and rnthusiastic quilting teacher and friend.
Hugs!
Posted by: Barbara Anne | June 18, 2019 at 07:44 AM
What pattern is this?
Posted by: Donna Workman | June 18, 2019 at 08:04 AM
Love the story and the quilt and I'm sure big sister will love and treasure it and one day it'll become a family heirloom.
Posted by: Hildy | June 18, 2019 at 08:56 AM
Teach a person to fish... What a great story! Love the quilt pattern she chose too!
Posted by: Sandy | June 18, 2019 at 08:59 AM
amazing!
Posted by: ina | June 18, 2019 at 09:06 AM
Beautiful quilt, beautiful story.
Posted by: Susan Ramey Cleveland | June 18, 2019 at 02:24 PM
I bet there will be tears of happiness. It is beautiful!
Posted by: Bonnie Anderson | June 18, 2019 at 04:47 PM
Such a great story!
Posted by: Lynda | June 18, 2019 at 11:01 PM
Great story! Her big sister is going to love the quilt.
Posted by: Donna | June 19, 2019 at 05:03 AM
I love it! What a great story, and wonderful experience for your young friend who did a beautiful job on that quilt!
Posted by: Sally | June 19, 2019 at 07:32 AM
Quilts come with stories.
Posted by: Kyle | June 19, 2019 at 04:48 PM
What an awesome quilt and story! I remember when you used to post about her and her quilting "classes".
Posted by: Anita | June 20, 2019 at 01:28 AM