Do you remember your first day of school, date, or kiss?  Maybe you remember the first time you drove without your parents in the car, or the first time you ate a green food and actually liked it. We all remember our first quilt. Our lives are filled with first times and for me first times are what keep me looking forward to tomorrow.

Quilting is wonderful because every quilt becomes a first time, maybe it’s the first time a block was completed without chopped off the points on the triangles, or all the corners match perfectly, or only one border has a friendly wave in it. Maybe it is the first time an entire quilt is made of Batiks.  Personally, I am still looking forward to making my first 30’s quilt.  I have never been drawn to those fabrics but as I receive more of them for machine quilting I am beginning to appreciate them. They are always up beat and happy quilts; they shine with laughter for me. 

I’ve experienced a lot of firsts recently; I went to a Machine Quilting Conference and was able to take classes from nationally and internationally known instructors.  There was so much talent in one place it was a totally inspiring experience!  I was able to meet people I only know through the Internet and learn new quilting skills.

My most exciting first recently  was the result of a customer entering a quilt I quilted for her into a  judged show. As far as I know this is the first time a quilt I quilted was entered in a show.  It won!  It won the Mayor’s Choice, Judge’s Choice, and First Place in the category it was entered in.  I was very proud to have been part of the team on this quilt.  It was exquisitely appliquéd.  It was 130” by 130” before quilting and ended up being 124’ by 124” after the quilting shrinkage.  Most of the quilts I quilt for others are ‘blue collar’ quilts, meant to be used and loved.  A show quilt was a change of pace for me.

Another first coming up is a Longarm Machine Quilting retreat. I will be involved in teaching some classes to beginner machine quilters.  Sharing the joy of quilting is a very awesome way to spend time.  I am nervous and excited at the same time.  I’ll let you know how I make out with this first later. This year is setting out to be full of firsts for me and I can’t wait to see what else comes my way.

Meanwhile, keep making your own quilting "First Times" meaningful and fun.  Contact me if I can help you with your quilting needs.

Happy Stitching!

Shar