Playful Pinwheels

I learned to quilt back in the early 90's, shortly after the birth of my first daughter.  A lady at my church offered lessons, then started an old fashioned quilting bee group.  We would gather weekly and sit around a big wooden frame, hand stitching quilts to be donated to the church or school and swapping stories.  I was the youngest member, probably by a few decades.  But those were the days.

I practiced making my hand stitches tiny and uniform, all the while keeping my ears and heart open to the wisdom, encouragement, and advice of those older women.  There was much to learn.

The group eventually disbanded when various members moved away or were called to new churches.  After the birth of my boys, I "retired" from the quilting biz.  My hands were full with three young children, and we moved into a house that didn't have a space for my machine.

Several years, a new house, and one more baby later, the quilting bug revisited, and he bit me hard.  I realized how much I missed having a creative outlet, and felt I was in a season of life where I could ease my way back into the fabric game.  You know, it doesn't take much to be lured back onto the wagon.  :-)  

The very first quilt I made was this sweet pinwheel pattern from Moda Bake Shop.  I forgot a lot.  This quilt was a testament to many re-learning mistakes.  I struggled.  It was at times frustrating to stretch some muscles that hadn't been stretched in a while.

But the process was rewarding, and the outcome was as expected....I was hooked.  Again.  Back in the quilting saddle, and it felt so good.  The fabrics are "Snippets" by American Jane.  It is backed in a fabulous bright orange polka dot.  The little prairie points were fantastically fun.  It is bound in a red floral from the Snippets line.

I gave the quilt to my daughter, who paid absolutely no attention to it whatsoever.  She still doesn't.  It has been draped over the back of her little reading chair for two years now and it never gets the love or snuggles a crinkly quilt deserves.  That's okay by me.  It just means there's plenty of opportunity for me to reclaim it in the future, because I happen to love this quilt.  

My first quilt.

The second time around.  :-)

Thanks for taking a peek at my playful pinwheels.