Each year, our kids’ school has a big fundraiser. It is their biggest of the year. The fundraiser includes a silent and a live auction. This year, I made a quilt from squares each student, TA, and the teacher completed. The end of the story is that I got it done and handed in 10 minutes after the event began. Here is the rest of the story:
One woman coordinated two others to help complete the quilt. One woman cut the “squares” another sewed the squares. As I pulled each decorated square from the bag, I gained a new perspective on my sewing ability. I had to go through and make each “square” a square, and each of equal size. I decided to do a basic grid pattern for the quilt, but once it was all put together, it looked horrible. I did not want the quilt I had made to represent my son’s class or my work–it was going to be in a silent auction for crying out loud.
So, I took the entire quilt top apart and started over. (that is a sewing move that is completely uncharacteristic for me) With only 5 days left, and my history of procrastination I was a bit concerned that I had no idea of how to put this quilt together in a way that would mask my sewing flaws, display the artwork, and would come together quickly. In fact I realized that I hadn’t put much planning into the quilt at all. Then I found this tutorial, which saved me from a lot of stress and embarrassment. Thanks, Not So Fancy Nancy who upon further investigation has great sewing ability and is also a self proclaimed “knitting wench.”
I followed her directions almost entirely. Making the finished squares off-center was the perfect solution to several problems. My only concern at this point was that I would run out of fabric. I stayed awake all night. Literally. I cut and ironed and sewed until the top was done. Saturday morning, I sprayed the quilt, went to book club–where I tied the quilt and came home to bind the quilt.
I planned to use some of the fabric for the binding, but I didn’t have enough. So, I drove to the fabric store intending to buy 3 packages of premade quilt binding. It wasn’t until I was 15 inches short of binding (machine bound) that I realized I had only purchased two packages. At this point, it was 5:30 and the quilt had to be to the auction by 6 and I live 20 minutes away. I made it work (see top left of the quilt in the photo below). It’s kind of trendy.
I threw the quilt in the dryer while I commenced to make a pillow with block number 26. Once I finished the pillow cover and turned it right-side-out, I discovered that part of the fabric was on the wrong side. UGH! Forget it! It’s 6 o’clock. The winner will just have to get the pillow later. With no time to spare, Nathan took a couple of quick pictures and off I went. Once I got there, they took my quilt from me and carried it like a very special prize to the live auction stage. I had a quilt in a live auction, and it was going on a stage!
Ladies and gentlemen, I completed a quilt–from start to finish–in ONE day! Did you hear me? One. day. I did not sleep for over 24 hours, but it was done in one day. AND today I found out that the quilt sold for $190! Yay! After sewing for that many hours straight, that’s all I want to do now. (*I did finish Nathan’s 2008 Christmas present. It only took 20 minutes. I’m an idiot)
For those that care, the back is natural muslin with a strip of patchwork consisting of the green and the print.
Congratulations! The quilt is beautiful. So proud of you! One day???
great job honey! I have to get some credit for helping you make it through the night by me sleeping on the couch while you sewed… =)
Fabulous quilt, Andrea! You’re a rock star!