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These are quilts I’ve made through the years, as well as a couple vintage ones passed down to me from family and friends. I keep them scattered throughout my house.
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As so often happens between us Farmgirl Bloggers, our minds are on the same things! I was writing the post for this week (in my head, as that is how my writing starts) and then I read the Suburban Farmgirls’ post on her friend and her quilts. And I had to just start laughing as my post for this week is also on quilting. Instead of changing course mid-stream, which I almost did, I decided there must be a reason we are on the same track. So the writing continued… and hopefully you other Farmgirls will take inspiration from both Nicole’s and my posts and jump into this quilting frame of mind with us!
I’m up for the challenge and have many yards of fabric just waiting to be used!
Karen,
YAY!!! So happy you’re up for the challenge!
Be sure to email me pictures as you progress. redfeedsack@gmail.com
– Dori –
Im up for your challenge also! Just started a wedding quilt for my son and future daughter in law!
I love, love your fabrics! I have several quilt projects going and my house proves it. I made a baby quilt for a shower and it was the ‘hit’ of the party! I forgot to take a pic. I will try to take some pictures of quilts I have being making this winter.
I have never posted pictures on a blog and cannot figure out how. I have tried denting you my quilt projects but …. How? Cheryl
Cheryl,
I’ve discovered that homemade gifts at showers (especially quilts) are always so special. And yes… please do email me some pictures of quilts in progress!
And on that note… you won’t be able to post to the blog. Only I can do that. However, if you email them to me then in 6 weeks when I do an update on our quilting progress then I will include your pictures. Email any pictures to me at: redfeedsack@gmail.com. I’m starting a file saving all the pictures emailed to me. Thank you!!
– Dori –
Your blog is just right up my alley. I love making quilts. I am going to start on Lori Holt’s vintage farmgirl designs. I am also designing and will be making the 125th Anniversary quilt for the Minnesota State Parks and Trails. I’ll keep you posted.
Bonnie,
Oh I LOVE Lori Holt’s vintage farmgirl blocks. I have been meaning to purchase the book. I must do that.
And designing the 125th Anniversary quilt? OH MY WORD. Please, please send me pictures!!!
YES! Keep me posted!
– Dori –
Hi Dori! From a fellow quilter – this is a great post. Your quilts shown are beautiful and it’s wonderful that you are fostering that desire in your little grand girls. I encourage both my granddaughters to quilt and they did for awhile. Sadly they are now 20 and 16 and involved with life (as they say). But I have hopes that one day they may want to take it up again! Your suggestions for quilting are “right-on”. You have covered everything I can think of as well – except one last thing, and that is to always sign, date and give the city & state. You may also want to list who it is for and what occasion. It will be beneficial for whomever finds that quilt many, many years later to have a history of it. That was the first thing we were taught in the quilting guild I was in for 20 years.
Bonnie,
Thank you SO MUCH for commenting and for your words. I so hesitated to write this post because like I said, I do not consider myself a “quilter”… but it is something that I so desperately want to see done and continued. It is an art that is going to be lost if we don’t foster it!
And YES… signing and dating is so important. On my quilting journey follow-up post in 6 weeks, I will be sure to talk about that. I have many old quilts passed down to me and I don’t know the history of them at all and this would be so lovely. Thank you for that reminder.
Your grand-children will remember what you taught them and they will come full circle. I know, because I did! 🙂
Thank you again Bonnie!
– Dori –
I like this challenge! Thank you.
Joni,
Thank you! I hope you will join in!
– Dori –
This is a fun challenge. I made my first and only quilt 11 years ago. The fabric I choose was super thick and hard to work with. But in the end it turned out wonderful. I have wanted to make a smaller baby quilt but keep talking myself out of it. It turns into a battle in my mind. I will walk past the perfect fabric to make the baby quilt with; I’ll pick it up, then talk myself out of it and put it back down. This time I should just buy the dang fabric and make one already! I will certainly attempt this challenge with you but I am not making any promises!
Hi Krista,
You can do it!!!! 🙂 Make is super small and simple! I’ll see you through it! 🙂
– Dori –
Good luck with your quit. I would love to learn to make a quilt. Jillian is a talented young lady. Her quilt is lovely. Thanks for this post. I will be looking forward to your future posts and your progress.
Marilyn,
Thank you! I am so thankful for a little grand-girl that would sew all day with me if she could. I hope she keeps it up!
– Dori –
Dori,
What a fun and inspiring post! I have a confession to make. I have never, ever made a quilt or even attempted to make one. I have always sewn though. I’ve made aprons, table runners, placements and napkins, curtain panels, valances, pillows out of old shirts and fabric scraps, and even some clothing for our kids. When they were babies I had an obsession with fleece and made everyone in the house scarves and hats. But, a quilt? Nope! I do love them though and after reading your post all the way through, I think I might know why I haven’t attempted to make one. It takes patience. I guess I’m a sucker for instant gratification, but I’ve decided to take you up on your challenge… I’ll make a mini something…I’ve got some very fun fabric I purchased for aprons I could dip into so I won’t even have to go fabric shopping! Oh good Lord, what have I gotten myself into? Now, your quilts are lovely and the ones you are working on are going to be darling! Thank you for the inspiration my friend!
Hugs,
Deb
Deb,
YES!!! I’m super excited!!! Be prepared though… you know what will happen right? You’ll be hooked!!!
Can’t wait!
xoxo
– Dori –
I’ve made a couple of simple baby quilts but not having a clue what I was doing, I didn’t consider myself a “quilter”. Then I finished my first full sized, start to finish quilt at Christmas – made for a dear friend as a thank you gift. It took much longer than anticipated, I am easily distracted, but I put the sewing machine pedal to the floor and did it. Thankfully, in one of the many quilting tutorials I watched, the host said something that became my mantra: “It’s better finished than perfect”. Yep. I’m gonna pull that out again and take this challenge. Ha! There are going to be a few imperfect (but finished) quilts out there before long… I hope.
Cindi,
That is awesome and I love, love, love that mantra! You can be sure that will be in my post in six weeks! 🙂
Can’t wait to see what your next quilt is!
– Dori –
Yes, I think I will embroider it on a pillow or something!! I must give credit where credit is due – while it is not an exact quote, that encouragement came from Jennie Doan of Missouri Star Quilt Company, whose writings (wonderful!!) and tutorials have helped me push on in spite of a serious lack of confidence in my sewing abilities. Ah, we daughters of perfectionists…
I have recently wanted to take up quilting. I know absolutely nothing about it and I do not own a sewing machine so I am sure that it won’t be an easy task, but I would like to do it. Any ideas for beginners would be helpful.
Hi Carol,
I sure love that you are so willing to give it a try! The YouTube channel I recommended in my post would be the best place to start. However, you can even just do a google search on beginning quilting and see what great things you might pull up. Remember my recommendation to START SMALL!!! Even without a sewing machine you can do a little hand sewing on a small 10 x 10 block that you can actually hang on a wall when you are finished. I’ve got a few and they are precious.
Keep me posted!
– Dori –
Many years ago when my daughter was about three years old, (honorary) grandma Chris made a quilt for her and her baby doll. My daughter is now 16. Those quilts are still very treasured. So, now, at her inspired suggestion, I am going to make a baby doll quilt and a little quilt for my granddaughter :). Her brother and his wife have a two year old with a favorite baby doll. The baby doll one is pieced and sewn together….the excitement is rising as I piece the bigger one together!
This was a great post and very inspiring….thank you!
Hi Bonie,
Oh I just love thinking of your daughter still treasuring the quilts made for her and her baby doll.
I cannot wait to see the quilts you make for your grand-daughter and her baby doll. Don’t forget to send pictures!!!
– Dori –
Dori,
I love to quilt too and have been making the cutest baby quilts.
I love your blog.
Hi Debbie,
I hope you’ll join in our little challenge and send me some pictures! I would love to see your baby quilts! I love making baby quilts – I think they are probably my favorite.
Thanks for writing!
– Dori –
I am up for the challenge as well. I have made 3 quilts in my time, and had lots of trouble with them all, but I am getting better each time. The last one I made just a few weeks ago which was a simple one called a rag quilt. I think Deb Bosworth (Beach farmgirl you could do one of these. 🙂 I do have another friend having a baby so maybe I will make another baby rag quilt. (taking the easy way out haha) thanks for the challenge Neta.
Hi Neta,
YAY! I love the rag quilts. I’ve made a few of those and they are so fun!!! Can’t wait to see what you settle on and don’t forget to send me pictures!
– Dori –
Over the years I have learned that I am a hunter-gatherer, not a finished product person. I love the raw materials of a quilt or a wreath or a gourd basket, but I will appreciate the work of others and be glad to help them gather what they need to make their prize. I like this line, “Remember that a “quilt” doesn’t have to be for a bed.” So, my quilt will be a field, planted with vegetables, herbs, and maybe some flowers. I’m sure that working on this edible quilt will keep all of us on the farm very warm! You’ve done it again, Dori; another beautiful and inspiring blog!
Dear Wayve,
I always, always love your way with words. And YES…. you have the best kind of quilts! The very, very yummy strawberry field kind!!! 🙂 And I CANNOT wait until April and strawberry season arrives!
Big hugs to you dear friend,
– Dori –
I’ve been a quilter for twenty years so any excuse to start another quilt is good. I’m up for your challenge! I will definitely email some photos to you..you are off to a wonderful start on your quilts. I love the fabrics!!
Hi Jackie,
I’ll be so eager to see your quilting pictures! Thank you for jumping in!
– Dori –
I’m up to the task. Not sure that I will be as fast as you though.
Sounds like fun. Count me in. May not be as fast as you though.
I want to express my Attitude of Gratitude to each and everyone at Mary Janes Farm. My Mother always enjoyed all her Mary Jane Magazine ‘s and would always share them with me. Since she passed away in 2012?i continue to get the subscription year after year. I have also purchased many friends a subscription too. Everyone throughly enjoys all the articles and continue to tell me that they to read Mary James Farms cover to cover.
Much gratitude, I appreciate all you farm girl told ant I am looking forward to learning mores out our farm.
I just started my business: Attitude of Gratitude Hats. Your Atttitude of Gratitude determines your Altitude in life.
Attitude of Gratitude,
Karen
Typo error in my email. I corrected. Thank you.
I want to become a Ranch Farm girl at Mary Hanes Farmz.