Saturday, May 19, 2012

Leslie's Quilt

So have you heard about The Bloggers Quilt Festival? I almost missed it! But I saw Rachel's post about her awesome Love quilt and she shared about the festival! Thank you! So I decided to share my quilt story.

As you all know my sister, Leslie, has been battling breast cancer. Back in April my entire family and many friends all participated on a team for the Susan G Komen 5k, in Leslie's honor. Even Leslie walked the one mile fun walk, exactly one month after her double mastectomy! I'm so proud of her!
When she first found out she had cancer and that she would be having surgery and going through chemo, I wanted to make her a "chemo quilt". I've heard that chemo can make you very cold while you're recieving it. So she needed a pretty quilt to help keep her warm. I used my favorite fabric line by Kate Spain, Terrain! I just love all the colors and so did Leslie!


This was a complete surprise to her! I made it and gave it to her the day of the 5k. I wanted it to be a signature quilt so that all of her friends, family and anyone else that she wants to could sign it with happy thoughts of encouragement to get her through this battle.




I haven't seen it since the day that I gave it to her, I live six hours away and can't be there often. But I know that she has many many signatures on it now!


I made the quilt using strips from a Terrain jellyroll and 2 1/2" strips of white Kona cotton. Sewing two stips of Terrain with a strip of white in the center and then cutting them into squares. I then alternated them and sewed them together into a lap size quilt. I've done a few small quilting projects for myself so I've always done very simple quilting on my own machine. Which is what I did with this, I just used my walking foot and quilted around each white strip of fabric. I thought with the signatures and the bright fabric that the quilting should be kept simple.


I really didn't get any good pictures of it before I gave it to her! Mainly because I finished quilting it at 11:30pm on Thursday night before leaving at 3:00am on Friday morning to drive 6 hours to go to the race and tried finishing the binding in the car before I got car sick! Nothing like the last minute!
I did learn that I need a new sewing machine! I need one with a thread cutter and a knee lifter! Quilting around all of those white strips and then having to go back to trim up all of those loose threads, ugh! I used my moms for another project after this and it really spoiled me!


So if you haven't been to see all the other quilts in the festival yet, you should get there soon! They are awesome!



Amy's Creative Side


13 comments:

Vivian said...

Great quilt! Thank you so much for sharing your story of your sister. I wish her all the best.

Sandy said...

Such a beautiful story - your quilt made with so much love to give your sister comfort and strength to make it through this difficult time. My heart goes out to you both.

CitricSugar said...

Beautiful story - and a lovely quilt!

My mother is an 8yr survivor - I'm wishing your sister all the strength she needs to kick cancer's butt!

Rachaeldaisy said...

What an extra special quilt. I love the way you made a signature quilt, and the pattern you chose is perfect. All those beautiful bright fabrics would brighten your sisters days through these hard times. I'm glad I reminded you about the Bloggers Quilt Festival and that you shared this quilt with us. :)

Mom said...

Sweet!

Check out my blog if you can...

Margaret Gunn
www.quiltsoflove.blogspot.com

doodlebugmom said...

The quilt is a wonderful gift and your sister is beautiful. I wish her the best!

Sarah Craig said...

Robin, that's a beautiful quilt for your beautiful sister! Thank you so much for sharing your quilt story!

Needled Mom said...

That was such a wonderful gift for your sister.

Nicole said...

What a beautiful story and a great gift to your sister!

Linda at Roscoe's Ma said...

This is such a beautiful quilt. Making someone you love who has cancer a quilt is just the best gift a quilter can give. All the best to your sister...

Melinda said...

Beautiful story and beautiful quilt. I am sure it is cherished by your sister.

Marci Girl said...

What a beautiful story and that makes the quilt that much more special! I am sure your sister loves it!

Cecily said...

A great quilt story and a beautiful quilt! Love the fabrics. Best wishes for Leslie!