My son started quilting just about a year ago and finished his third quilt this month in time to gift to his dad. His first two quilts were squares and rectangles, making this one the first time he's sewn half square triangles. He picked his fabrics from his Finish Along winnings from my post about his first quilt, some fabrics he's picked up at the SCVQA guild sale table, and from my stash. His chose his block design, House on the Hill, from Big Book of Quilting, by Michele Morrow Harer.
I cut out all of his pieces. I'm not sure what age I'll feel comfortable letting him use the rotary cutter, but 5 1/2 is not it. ;-)
At this point he pieces independently, sewing at the kids' art table. I press his seams open for him and help him stay organized while he chain pieces.
I love that he chose the turtles for the door and that he wanted to fussy cut the woman to be looking out the window. He decided to rework the pattern a bit to have only one chimney (instead of two).
He had used the walking foot for quilting his first two quilts, but once he had pieced this quilt he decided that he wanted to free motion quilt it. He really wanted loops. Okay, kid. I set up the machine for him to free motion quilt and he practiced a bit on a practice quilt sandwich. Then he went work on his mini. I supervised and assisted as needed.
He started by quilting the ground area, then wanted the lines on the window. I'm most impressed with his loops on the house and his clouds (in variegated thread). He chose blue binding from my leftover binding box and he assisted and supervised me in attaching the binding. Since he chose a (different) variegated thread to attach the binding, I recommended the three-step zigzag for the top stitching. I figured it would be less exact for him than trying to attach it with a straight stitch. The quilt finished at 12 1/2" x 12 1/2".
He's looking forward to showing this one and Rainbow Swift at the January SCVQA meeting.
I'm linking unto Needle & Thread Thursday and Adrienne's 2015 Q4 Finish Along post. See all my Q4 goals here.
Denise
He did a great job! This would be a challenging first block for an adult, but kids see things differently don't they?
My son quilted one of his pieces so far - and he free motioned using my hand crank machine. He is a bit too energetic to use an electric machine yet :)
So is Daddy joining in the family quilting?
sarah
Post authorProbably not a chance that my husband will start quilting, though my daughter is excited to start. I think it's so great how kids don't have the same self-imposed limits that adults sometimes have. Your hand crank machine sounds intriguing to me. Thanks for visiting, Denise.
Jenny
Go cutters are great for kids! My son was helping to cut fabric @ 3 1/2.
sarah
Post authorI'll have to check that out. Thanks for the tip, Jenny!
Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl
I love the thought and precision he puts into his selections. He clearly knows what he wants and works hard to achieve it. And way to go jumping in with some awesome free motion quilting - the clouds are especially fantastic!
sarah
Post authorThank you, Yvonne. We haven't talked yet about what he wants to make next. I'm excited to find out. He's recently gotten some fabric with tigers on it, so I expect that may be featured in his next project.
Sharon
Great job G!
sarah
Post authorThank you, Sharon. Once we're all healthy we'll have to pop by to show you in person.
Amber
Fantastic! He's really good at this!
sarah
Post authorI'm glad he's enjoying it so much. Thanks for visiting, Amber. :-)
Marji
Absolutely fabulous! I had to zoom in to take in all the details on fabric and stitches. ???? Love that he choose the toadstools for the 'lawn'. :-),
Bet that quilt was Dad's best gift!
sarah
Post authorThank you, Marji. We didn't have much of that toadstool fabric left, but I love that he chose to use it. (You may remember it from the pants.)
Bo Brackmann
Excellent job G. I would be proud to receive something like this!!
sarah
Post authorThank you, Bo. I'll pass on the kudos. :-)
Elana Goldberg
WOW! That is impressive indeed. He has wonderful fine motor skills but it also so creative. Kudo's to you for working with him and challenging him to learn the basic sewing skills. Now the sky's the limit for him!!
sarah
Post authorThanks, Elana. He's always been excited about my sewing. I'm glad he's having such a great time with it himself as well.
Robin Rosenberg
I can say without a doubt that he does a far better job than I do. I'll just send him all my unfinished projects. :-) Congrats to you all!
sarah
Post authorThank you, Robin. I'd pass that along, but it would just go to his head. ;-)
Elana Goldberg
Sarah...I have 5 boys myself (youngest now is 16) and they have sewn as well, but never made a quilt. I feel a little regret having never tried it with them. )-:
sarah
Post authorI imagine those 5 boys kept you very busy. So great that they've all sewn. A quilt is a big endeavor. There's still time! :-)
Sherry Duarte
The only 5 year old quilter that I know of--George is a talented little artist. I'm very impressed!!
sarah
Post authorThey're out there. But I'm pretty impressed by him as well. Thanks for visiting, Sherry.
Anja @ Anja Quilts
Pat on the back!! Great job. Amazing work.
sarah
Post authorThank you, Anja.
Kate
Very fun block! He's got the knack for choosing fabrics. I have a girl, who is almost 17. Won't touch the sewing machine. But she is pretty good at findning projects for me to make and picking the fabrics for them. You are so lucky to have a sewing buddy.
sarah
Post authorThank you, Kate. I am lucky. I'm glad he enjoys it. I look forward to seeing what he comes up with next.
Mel
YAY G!!! The quilt is beautiful and great job on tackling FMQing! It took me almost 10 years to gather the courage to even try!! Looking forward to seeing his newest piece at the January meeting and can't wait to see what he has planned for 2016!!
sarah
Post authorThank you, Mel. I'll share your comment with him. I know he's excited to show off his finish. We're enjoying this one on the wall in the entryway until after SCVQA when Evan will be allowed to bring it to work. ;-)