2011 January ~ My Beginner's Sampler Quilt / My 1st Quilt

Let me introduce you to my first quilt top I have EVER made, I had to take a sewing class before I was allowed to take the Sampler class since I hadn't sewn since Home-Economics in middle school!  I received my sewing machine Christmas 2010, it was a gift from my husband.
This is it, I truly loved my first experience!  Even if I made my Quilting teacher extra nervous with all of my non-muted shades.  I was supposed to choose a variety of neutrals I found out after class started.  Oops, but it all worked out and she was a bit shocked as she put it...hehehe  (Sampler class taken:  Jan. - Feb. 2011) This Beginner's Sampler Quilt is made of of 6 blocks (from left to right); a rail fence, drunkard's path, 8 pointed star and the bottom row is 3 different variable stars I also designed myself.  This still needs to be batted, quilted and binded.  If you notice the outside border is mitered, I taught myself how to do that and the square corners out of a book I would recommend to anyone who wants a quick and easy how to guide with great pictures, it is called The Quilting Bible -3rd Edition and I still find myself using it.

This is the rail fence block that I added a border around with square corners.  Even more reason I was freaking my teacher out, she wasn't sure where I came from...lol =P

Variable Star, I designed for the above Sampler Quilt

My 1st Drunkard's Path

Here is it again, in a closer up and tilted view =)

Taking Classes / Sew-Ins

I strongly encourage you to take classes at your local quilt shops no matter what level of experience you may have.  I have sat next to professional quilters in a quilt class, don't feel like you will look like a newbie.  Every day someone figures out a better way or a new technique to do something like put on binding.  I have taken classes on thread  painting and applique (not just quilting) and enjoy implementing them when I have the creative urge into my work.  Also many quilt shops have something once a week or month that may be called a Sew In or a UFO Day, (Unfinished Objects), Lock-ins, etc...that is where they encourage everyone to come in for free and bring their machines and sew together.  Sometimes you may not even get your machine out you may want to help someone with their project by helping them with basting, which is the process that keeps all 3 layers of fabric together, most likely with special safety pins or traditionally was with a needle and thread.  All levels come to socialize, so you can get free advice and training.  Sooooo remember:  we all should be able to admit we don't know everything, even if we just whisper it to ourselves...haha :-)

First Post with Contact Information =)

Hi everyone!  Thanks so much for coming over to check out my site!  Let me start off by introducing myself.  My name is Tiffiny, I am a mom of two of the smartest, cutest and (goofiest) boys around.  I love to take photographs of the special things going on around me, beautiful landscapes, flowers and more!  I crave to learn new techniques, methods and interact with crafty / quilty people like myself!  

I started quilting in January of 2011 after receiving my 1^st sewing machine as a Christmas present.  I had wanted to quilt since college when I would watch a floor mate who quilted by hand.  I then took a beginners sewing class at a local quilt shop which was required since I hadn't sewn since middle school in a home economics class and then a beginners quilting class in Jan of 2011 and I have been non-stop ever since :-)

Ok, I hope I still have your attention, you are probably wondering why in the world do I want to follow a blog of someone who has just been quilting for around a year?  Well, I will help you figure that out:  1.  I am a super positive person, I try my best to find a solution when met with an obstacle; like cutting my fabric 2 inches to short, some of the coolest things come from “mistakes” we have made.  I taught myself how to applique to cover a tangled mess, that no one knows is there :)  2.  I am not set in my ways, I can be retrained and don’t think my way is the only way when it comes to quilting.  3.  I love to share what I have learned and to make others lives easier by not having to struggle and find their way as I have quite a few times already.  4.  I will hopefully make you smile/ laugh and make this something you want to read and not have to read. And 5.  Because I said pretty please with a cherry on top. :-) 6.  Ohhhhh and I almost forgot the chocolate!  :-)


Contact information:

tiffinyquilts@gmail.com
Tiffiny ~ Smilie Mommy
PO Box 81
Rising Sun, MD 21911
USA

 

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