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Monday, July 9, 2012

The Next Generation - a new quilter

I have had my 2 grandchildren from North Carolina here for the past week.  My 7 year old granddaughter had insisted on bringing her sewing machine (we gave it to her last year for Christmas).  She wanted to make a quilt for her American Girl doll.  We talked for quite a while about which pattern to make.  She was a little undecided until she saw the current quilt I've been working on "Come to the Party". She immediately said that's it!!
She selected every single color combination - in fact, she was very insistent on what she liked together and what she didn't like.
We learned about the quarter inch seam and chain piecing - and before she knew it - she had all 16 blocks done.
As you can see, she's in her bathing suit (we were headed to the beach and had a few minutes while waiting for everyone - so of course she wanted to sew at least one more block!)
She sewed all the blocks together and then sewed the blocks into rows.  She helped me pin baste it and then it was time for me to quilt it.
Here's the proud quilter holding her first quilt! I am so proud of her :).
I think her smile tells you how she feels :).
Here we are holding our quilts - now all I have to do is baste and quilt mine!
In addition to the quilt, she made the pillowcase dress for her doll (she learned how to zig zag) and the pillow for her doll (she learned how to turn and stuff).
Here we are together. The big quilt behind her is Tree Party that I made for her last year.  Now my 5 year old grandson has decided he wants to learn to sew. We're choosing a pattern for him and then it's back to the sewing machine :).  I am one happy Nana Girl!
Until next time,
Karen

20 comments:

Dianne Mitzel said...

What a talented young quilter you have there!! Her colors are lovely, and she knows what she wants...the pillow, and the doll dress is super cute also!! Enjoy your sweet grandchildren..

Pokey said...

So talented, just like her Nana! There really is a joy to pass on our love of fabrics and design ~
:-}pokey

MARIA CRISTINA said...

Felicitaciones a la niña por tan bonito trabajo!!!
Siempre recordará este momento pasado con su abuela!!

Karen said...

I am so glad that you have given a start to a young girl into the sewing world. I took my first grand-daughter to a children's quilt class. I think they hand sewed their little quilts. She moved away when she was a teen-ager. She does have a bit of interest in sewing but not a lot.

Angie said...

How fun! It's so nice to see our sewing and quilting passions being passed along to the next generation. Thanks for sharing!

Ruth said...

That is fabulous! It's great to get them started at a young age. I love the quilts!

Diane said...

How wonderful. She did a beautiful job!

FlourishingPalms said...

What a sweet granddaughter and her lovely quilt, pillow and doll dress! It's so special that the two of you could spend time together this way. I remember doing the same with my granddaughter when she was nine years old. We documented her first quilt by having two photo books printed of the process - one for each of us. Enjoy these days now. As I have learned, they grow up and get so busy that they don't have time for long visits and sewing lessons. You've sure made a memory that neither of you will forget.

Vivian said...

Beautiful quilts, beautiful quilters, and beautiful memories.
What a special time you're having together! You're right. The smile speaks volumes. She's such a proud little lady, and I know her Nana is just as proud of her.

Carla said...

I think that your little grandie is a natural at the sewing machine to be doing such a great job at her young age. How wonderful that you are setting her on a road that will give her lifelong pleasure. I know you are so proud of her. I bet she loves having a quilt that "matches" yours, Karen.

Janet said...

How exciting for your grand daughter and she did a fantastic job. Yours is looking every bit as good, I love them both.

QuiltSue said...

How wonderful for both of you that she has taken to it like that. She has obviously inherited the quilting gene from you. Now I'm looking forward to seeing if your grandson has the same gene.

Anonymous said...

That is absolutely wonderful! Love the pictures too!

Abby and Stephanie said...

You both look very proud. What a special time together and a really terrific young quilter. It's important to pass along the quilting tradition. Looking forward to seeing what your grandson makes.

Barb said...

What a wonderful sewing time with Grandma!! Your quilts are so wonderful and cheerful. I love the photos~ and I'm so happy to sew young girls being interested in sewing and quilting -
hope you had fun at the beach :)

Terry said...

Her quilt looks wonderful! She did great for her first time! :0)

Denise in PA said...

I'm very impressed! What a beautiful quilt your GD made. Love the photo of your two quilts together! I hope she keeps at it! Fantastic that your grandson wants to sew too!!

Shirlee said...

You are making memories Nana girl. Love the pics capturing the process and results. Beautiful...both quilts and both 'girls'.

choc chip addict said...

How much fun is that??? What a great little seamstress she is turning out to be, and what a fantastic teacher you must be! I love her little doll quilt, and the dress and pillow too!

Becky said...

Oh Karen, you're so lucky to have that opportunity with your granddaughter. She's learning from the best! She did a beautiful job and that's a memory she'll never forget.