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Thursday, January 1, 2009

I WAS A QUILTER ONCE UPON A TIME!!


I have mentioned in this blog before that I spent 20 years making quilts for publication in books and magazines. In addition, I traveled to conferences and to teach quiltmaking throughout the U.S. The above quilt, entitled "Starshine", was the first quilt I had on a cover of a magazine - way back in 1990. Whenever I would speak to a group of non-quilters, I always got the same question, "How long does it take to make a quilt?" Well, of course, it varies on the complexity and size of the quilt. But for this particular quilt which is 78" x 78", I kept track of the statistics so I could answer the usual questions. So, for you non-quilters out there, "Starshine" took a little over 800 hours from conception to completion. The 3001 individual pieces are sewn together on the sewing machine, but the layers (top, batting, and backing) were hand-quilted together. There are 96 different fabrics used in the quilt and it took about 500 yards of thread to just hand-quilt the layers together. (You can click on picture to enlarge.)



Over those 20 years, I made a bunch of quilts which I have stored in "the quilt closet"! Be forewarned, if and when my blogging brain goes dead (like today); I will probably drag out another quilt to show you. If you get tired of seeing my quilts, please let me know. Hopefully, they won't show up on the blog too often.
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26 comments:

  1. JillJanuary 1, 2009 at 8:39 PM

    Oh Sally I think I have lost everything!!!!!! I have contacted blogger to see if they can get it back for me...I have lost all my addresses!!!!
    AGGGGH....
    JIll

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  2. A Romantic PorchJanuary 1, 2009 at 9:29 PM

    Oh My that quilt is so beautiful. Happy New Year Sweet Sally. xo rachel

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  3. Tamara JansenJanuary 1, 2009 at 10:01 PM

    My sister is an avid quilt maker. It's so fun to see her get all excited about a new pattern :)

    Happy New Year to you and yours!

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  4. AnonymousJanuary 1, 2009 at 10:02 PM

    What a beautiful quilt!! And all those hours that go into making such an heirloom!

    We are going to AZ for Bill's parents 60th anniversary next week. Her step mother quilted and I have probably at least 5 quilts from her-I really do treasure them!

    blessings
    mary

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  5. imjacobsmomJanuary 1, 2009 at 10:17 PM

    Sally, that is just gorgeous! You can show me a quilt any old time! Here's to 2009! ~ Robyn

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  6. onlymehereJanuary 1, 2009 at 10:39 PM

    I for one hope to see a lot of your quilts so open up that closet and give us a peek!! This is an amazing quilt and so out of my league!! Beautiful. You inspire me to become better at it! Cindy

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  7. ColoradoladyJanuary 1, 2009 at 10:52 PM

    Well, this is just a beautiful quilt. I am not a quilter. It is my GOAL this year to learn how to quilt. It is something I want to know how to do but am so afraid I can not do it.
    I am going to visit you often, love looking at your quilts, hopefully I will have one of my own at the end of this year to show off! (I hope)

    You are most talanted! Lovely.

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  8. SmilingSallyJanuary 2, 2009 at 7:04 AM

    Oh, I'm honored to know a famous person! I don't quilt, but I can admire this beautiful work.

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  9. nikkicrumpetJanuary 2, 2009 at 8:33 AM

    AMAZING! My mom is a quilter...I know I would never have the patience to do it. But boy oh boy what a gorgeous end result!!!

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  10. bjJanuary 2, 2009 at 9:58 AM

    Oh, I never get tired of looking at quilts...You are so good at it..I wish I could do some of the fancy ones...the quilts I've made have all been very simple 9 patch...
    I have a good friend that is just wonderful with quilts...and my mother was good at it, too.
    Have a wonderful day...

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  11. PeggyJanuary 2, 2009 at 6:29 PM

    I feel sorry for anyone who gets tired of looking at quilts. I love quilts, I love looking at them, I love planning them, and I love making them! Keep showing them please.
    Peggy

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  12. AnonymousJanuary 2, 2009 at 6:47 PM

    Good evening, dear Sally! Oh, you're so famous with your beautiful quilts! I love seeing them. I sew and do needlework but have just never quilted. My Mother has and we have many quilts from her. Dear Sally, thank you so much for your prayers and concerns for my Mother. You're so special to me.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  13. Bargain Decorating with LaurieJanuary 2, 2009 at 6:51 PM

    Personally, I don't mind if you show every one of your quilts. This one is beautiful! Quilt making is such an art, and I am so glad that there are still some quilters around. I love seeing this beautiful art form. laurie

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  14. Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart)January 2, 2009 at 8:35 PM

    Sally, how on earth could we "ever" get tired of such beautiful pieces of art? It is a lost art, one that many don't do anymore. I've quilted for years and have many..so don't be surprised if you see one or two show up on my blog from time to time. :-) hugs ~lynne~

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  15. Happy To Be/ Gl♥riaJanuary 2, 2009 at 9:02 PM

    Just one word for this BEAUTIFUL..this is amazing...please show us more...hugs and smiles Gloria

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  16. SueJanuary 2, 2009 at 9:20 PM

    Hi Sally...Happy New Year!! and your quilt is beautiful...I would love to see more..Please show more!!

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  17. The Raggedy GirlJanuary 2, 2009 at 10:17 PM

    The quilt is beautiful. I also quilt but only for myself or any family member that wants to take one away. I would never need to ask how long it takes, I know. And maybe I will post some too as I go brain dim from time to time.
    Roberta Anne

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  18. Manuela@A Cultivated NestJanuary 3, 2009 at 7:28 AM

    That quilt is gorgeous! I've always wanted to make a quilt but the time commitment as always scared me! So I thought I'd do something quicker like a quilted table runner to get started.

    Manuela

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  19. The MuseJanuary 3, 2009 at 12:29 PM

    I applaud you...and say oo and ahhh in the most admiring manner...good golly~ beautiful!

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  20. Rhoda @ Southern HospitalityJanuary 3, 2009 at 1:52 PM

    Hi, Sally, thanks for stopping by. Hope you have a wonderful New Year! Glad to have met you this past year & I look forward to another fun year of blogging.

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  21. CurtissAnnJanuary 3, 2009 at 2:11 PM

    Oh, thank you for sharing your quilt! Amazing and beautiful, such talent and skill. I used to (long time ago,) sew a lot and want to quilt, never did. I sure do enjoy quilts, though.

    CurtissAnn, waving from Oklahoma
    http://curtissannmatlock.com

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  22. Ceekay-THINKIN of HOMEJanuary 3, 2009 at 2:45 PM

    Oh, will never get tired of seeing quilts. Beautiful.

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  23. NanaJanuary 3, 2009 at 4:08 PM

    I love looking at quilts!! Never could do it myself. Not enough patience. I found you on the blah blah blah blog. Nice to meet you.

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  24. AnonymousJanuary 3, 2009 at 8:03 PM

    Hi Sally
    This quilt is beautiful and I just can't imagine the patience and dedication and talent you have for making it. Its sooo beautiful. I could never have that patience and never realized truly what is involved...please do share more with us.
    Judi

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  25. MarieJanuary 4, 2009 at 9:02 AM

    WAS a quilter?? You are always a quilter! lol Your quilt is gorgeous and I insist you show photos of all of them! I wonder if I have any books or magazines with your quilts in them??? Oh FUN! I had no idea you were famous! lol

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  26. lvroftiquesJanuary 5, 2009 at 1:33 PM

    Girlfriend please bring out more of your quilts!! Yowser that is one beautiful baby! And oh my goodness the work that went into it is staggering! I have a few old quilts that I've collectd over the years and I always imagine all the women sitting together sharing their lives and stitching up a storm. Some of them are kind of tatty, but I still love the soft old fabrics soo much! Vanna

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