Let's Try Something New

It's my goal to learn how to quilt in 2011. This, is a good and worthy goal. But I'm writing this in the middle of April, what's taken me so long? Good question, let's start at the beginning.

In 2007 my husband bought me a sewing machine. I started using it that fall. Let's see, I started by making Christmas stockings for my husband and myself. Then. Well, then I felt like I didn't know what I was doing. So I bought a few books. I thought about it a little. I think about things a lot. I bought some fabric. I thought some more. More fabric.

Then in the summer 2008 I made a dress for the storytime mascot at the library where I work. Making something so small, without instruction gave me some confidence to sew some more: I made a purse, my own bias binding and then I did some more. Like four more.
And I've since made 2 more dresses for Miss Mouse.

Then I graduated to pillows. I had to do something with all that fabric I was buying. Also, my mom needed some pillows for her new home. Pillows really make things warm and cozy.

My favorite pillow so far was very simple, but included capiz shells hand sewn on.

After sewing this, I sort of felt that maybe i was ready for quilting. But how to start? I read lots of quilting books, looked at quilting blogs, and their wonderful tutorials. I know what style I like, I don't know how to get there.

I purchased the book Scandinavian Stitches in January. I enjoyed the different projects and decided to create one based on my own drawing. That's the next posting.