Friday 31 August 2007


Every Tuesday night I attend a small quilting group. There are only about 20 of us in all and basically it is just a chance to have a good chat, a cup of tea and the occasional piece of birthday cake :-) Some of the ladies don't really make big quilts - just cushions, bags etc. One of the ladies I sit next to is Joan. She has arthritis pretty bad in her hands and struggles a bit to do any stitching. Occasionally our group has workshops where we all meet up for an all day session where we make a quilt or something. Last year we all did a workshop where we were making a quilt very similar to one by M'Liss Rae Hawley. Anyway to cut a long story short Joan started her quilt and then didn't finish it. I think her arthritis was bad then she had visitors or something so all the bits got shoved away in a bag.

I'd asked her a couple of times if she was going to finish it and the answer was she didn't think so. Anyway she mentioned it a couple of weeks ago and she asked me did I want it. I said ok and she brought me the pieces last week. So that's what I've been doing the last few days.

It's a funny thing finishing something that some-one else has started. A bit like turning up in some-ones kitchen halfway through them cooking a meal and trying to finish cooking it - lol !

It took me quite a while to sort out the colours as Joan had used all Debbie Mumm fabrics and they were all quite similar in colour. Out of the 48 blocks needed I think about 5 were finished.

Also because they had all been put away in a hurry they badly needed pressing and were quite frayed. I had my work cut out.

Anyway I have almost finished the top and will post a picture soon.

The thing is I want to quilt this and return it to Joan as a surprise. She thinks she has give it to me to keep. I am going to try and finish it for Tuesday night. It is quite a childish quilt with teddy bears etc - typical Debbie Mumm and I know Joan has quite a few grandchildren so I'm sure it will find a good home somewhere.

I don't have a piece of wadding big enough so will probably go and get some tomorrow. Then I will get the quilting done - only something simple ( sounds good to me). Fingers crossed I will get it done for next week.

17 comments:

dot said...

What a nice and loving gesture. Please post a picture of the quilt when done.

Unknown said...

I am sure she will be delighted, you are very thoughtful, good look finishing it.

Floss said...

What a kind thing to do.
Sometime I find it hard to work out what’s going on in a project that I have put away myself, so can image how much harder it been on a project someone else has put away.

mereth said...

I'm sure she'll be surprised and delighted and I hope you get it all done in time. It must be awful not to be able to use your hands properly, arthritis is dreadful.
Definitely take a picture before you pass it on!

~Bren~ said...

What a sweet thing to do. You are right. It is strange to jump in mid-project. Can't wait to see it done.

sewkalico said...

That's such a lovely thing to do. It would be great to do it so soon, but enjoy it and if you meet every Tueday night you can give yourself another week if you need :O). With everything else you do, you don't need to put too much pressure on yourself. I am sure she will be delighted and grateful no matter when she gets it.

Joyce said...

How nice to finish her quilt for her. I've never done something like that but it must be strange indeed.

Doodlebug Gail said...

You are a great friend to do something like this for Joan. I am sure that she'll love the finished product. And I'm sure you need no reminding to pop back here with a photo or 2.

Rose Johnston said...

That is a wonderful thing to do, im sure she will be delighted ...and surprised!! Cant wait to see it all finished, good luck!!

Yvonne said...

What a wonderful thing to do. I can just imagine the look on her face when you give it to. You sure are a good quilty friend!

loulee said...

What a wonderful gesture. I'm sure your friend will be delighted.

meggie said...

What a lovely idea! Good luck with getting it finished.

Unknown said...

Very generous of you, I would like to be with you when you give back the quilt finished! Waiting for a picture. Take care.

Wendy said...

What a sweet thing for you to do. I'm sure Joan will be very surprised and excited to see the quilt done.
Show us the finished quilt....please.

Sarah Nopp said...

That is very kind of you :)
She will be delighted I am sure. I know how hard it is for some of us to actually complete things...
I just did some pulling-out and reorganizing and 'discovered' a bin of things from about 6 years ago. Now what LOL

Birdydownunder said...

can't wait to see it finished, and I would love to be there to see her face... could you get someone to take a photo. btw I am here from Ali looking for your bag pattern but found this delightful blog as well.

Jeanne said...

Andrea, you are a real friend. I'm sure Joan will be thrilled when you present her with the quilt she began and you finished.