Thought I'd just share with you pictures of the quilt my mum and I made for Niobe's eighteenth birthday. Whenever I asked what she wanted she couldn't come up with anyone other than "make me something" - no to jewellery, no to gadgets.
I've squirrelled fabrics away for years and so this includes Laura Ashley fabrics from the 1970s, Niobe's school blouse, her first duvet cover, curtain fabrics, my old blouses, her blouses and a vintage tablecloth piece as the centre which draws it all together. It's quite big at 9' 6" x 7' 6" - plenty big enough for a double bed. Something to remind her of home when she's away at uni.
This was all assembled in secret - whenever she went out I went up to my mum's so that Niobe didn't happen upon it. It was laid out on her spare bed while it was planned and assembled piece by piece. Often Mum would stitch away when I was at work.
One day I had a call at work with the cryptic message "the eagle has landed" at which I shot over to look at the finished piecing. Imagine my horror when I stood on a chair to check everything was where it should be - to spot an error. More to the point imagine her horror when I said it will have to be unpicked!
I'm amazed that we managed to complete the whole thing without Niobe guessing at all that anything was under way. It was lovely to see her face when she opened it, laid it out and then identified several of the individual pieces. I still have the quilt I made for her cot 18 years ago (which was made from laura Ashley fabric from the 1970s).
I'm thrilled that making something for her has made her so happy. I think its something to do with it being the investment of time and love...
Have a good week.
Love Wend
That's a wonderful gift and a lovely quilt. Well done you. V diligent to unpick!
ReplyDeleteHen x
This is very pretty and its so nice that an 18 year old didn't want money or something flash but something handmade.
ReplyDeletex
What a lovely gift and how special that it is made with love by her mum and nan. I expect you were all in tears when Niobe opened it.
ReplyDeleteMind you I bet your mum was not at all pleased about having to unpick it, I would have cursed like crazy.
THAT'S WONDERFUL - - I'm quite inspired to do the same - although whatever mistake I will make - you wouldn't catch me unpicking it!!! (was it so bad???) - What a fab pressie!!!
ReplyDeleteFleur
xxx
This is fantastic! I started a quilt about 6 months ago, and still haven't finished! ooops.
ReplyDeleteWonderful heirloom gift. What a sensible girl asking for something handmade.
ReplyDeleteI still have some of my Laura Ashley material from the 70's (and a hexagon patchwork cushion cover I made with some is still in use)
Carol xx
What a wonderful thoughtful gift, they best kind! Love the colours, just my kind of thing x
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful keepsake Linda x
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful present and lovely fabrics too. Funnily enough my daughter asked me to make her a patchwork quilt too and I promised I would have a go at some point. Maybe if I start now I might get it done for her 18th in just over a year !
ReplyDeleteAnn x
So lovely - what a lucky girl!! When my Mum died recently I found all the log cabin squares she had made for my daughters' quilts. Its up to me now to piece them together in memory of her!
ReplyDeleteThat's a work of love Wend. Your Mum and you are to be congratulated not only for your skill but most of all for keeping it a secret!! Lesley
ReplyDeleteAhhh i so agree with your words "investment and time" what a beautiful gift for your daughter filled with memories and love, i love the way you have used her personnal blouses and things to makes it even more special, She will love and snuggle under this for years and it will be real comfort to im sure, dee x
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely present, i'm sure she will keep it forever and it will always remind her of you, unlike a gadget that would just be discarded in time x
ReplyDeleteSophie
It looks lovely!
ReplyDeleteI've been making one particular 'memory' quilt for a child for years. At the rate I am going it will be ready by the 18th birthday!
Thats amazing - it brough a tear to my eye. xxxx
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely gift idea and how special it is to Niobe as a perfect gift from you and and your mum. It'll be something that she will treasure :-)
ReplyDeleteLovely, Wends. I'm sure she'll treasure it - wherever she goes, it will be a piece of home.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic birthday gift, one which will be treasured for many years to come I am sure.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely, lovely gift. So precious. I love the detail on the back too........ (I clicked on the photo to get a closer look because I was fascinated by it).
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that you have used fabric from all sorts of things that she will remember - which was the original point of patchwork quilts - using up old fabric. Its beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful gift. I am sure Niobe will treasure it. Just think of all the memories she will be adding to it as well as the ones she will be taking with her.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely item to treasure forever.
ReplyDeleteJune.
What a very special quilt and 18th Birthday present this will be - its such a lovely idea, and the quilt itself is beautiful - Niobe will treasure it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting and leaving a lovely comment on my blog!
Gill
what a lovely surprise for a smashing daughter - so many memories there for her
ReplyDeleteThat is so beautiful and something to treasure forever, well done to you and your mum, and what a lovely way to spend time with your mum too, I would dearly love to do the same but sadly my dear mum passed away seven years ago and we both loved craft so much :) cheers from Tasmania Australia
ReplyDeletebeautiful beautiful...and what a lovely daughter to want this , 3 generations in one blanket....very special ....now you of coures have put me to shame that the quilt i started for my daughter's 18th continues to be unfinished and she's 21 next week!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing gift. It is beautiful, and, as others have mentioned, how lovely that Niobe wanted something handmade. Very belated birthday wishes to your lovely daughter. I also love the fact that it has inspired others to start/finish quilts.
ReplyDeleteZ xx