Thursday, November 17, 2011

intuitive design


My daughter loves to play with my fabric scraps. Shocking, isn't it? This spring while I was working on many other projects, she did a lot of designing on my design wall. I can't tell you how delightful it is to "work" side by side with my daughter. Her work is so inspiring to me! On a whim, I decided to sew her blocks together with as little editing as possible. I'm so glad I did! Kids have such an intuitive design sense and I really wanted to capture that. Last night when she wanted to quilt with me, we pulled out this WIP and worked on it again. Her attention span isn't very long, so I try not to push, but just sew with the flow. :) We are soooo close to finishing the top. We need to add just a few more pieces on the side to make it a bit wider. I'm thrilled to pieces with how it's coming together! I had to laugh at her posing next to her work. She's a hoot! And her pants ended up all thready...like mother, like daughter. :)
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Thank you so much for all your sweet comments on my last post. I so appreciate each and every one! xo

69 comments:

Dresden Quilter said...

She is so sweet and she definitely has the designing gene!

Jenn at The Little Shop of Stitches said...

I love that you are so patient with her. ;)

KristaKay said...

I love that your daughter is getting into this with you. My 7 year old son likes to come in to my sewing room and see what I'm working on, comment and make suggestions.
It is up to us to pass this on to our children. YOU are an amazing mom and an equally fantastic quilter.
Thank you for your time and dedication!

Lauren Phelps said...

That's so cool! The quilt looks great already!

Christina said...

Glad to see you back! I have been thinking about your last post a lot and hoping you're ok. I love this story and hope I can have the same joy when my daughter gets a bit older. Right now she loves lifting and lowering the presser foot and
Pushing the "scissors button"! Looking forward to seeing this all done!

carol said...

Amanda, your little honey is looking more and more like you everyday! What a cutie!

Kimberly Whispell said...

Adorable! So nice to not have to quilt alone.

Melissa said...

I have the great privilege of quilting with my daughter also! It's so fun to share a common interest. My daughter didn't start sewing until 2 years ago when she was 21 so be thankful she likes it already:)

Pippa Parsons said...

my 4 year old has my scraps and cuts the fabric up into smaller scraps and glues in on paper *cos im not old enough to use the sewing mamine mummy* and my 7 year old son made a coaster for his teacher last year, its great to pass it on to our kids if only for colour/design

Becky said...

Very cute! (Both the quilt and your daughter:) Can't wait to see how it turns out!

Basildon Kitchens said...

OMG - she is adorable. Lovely quilt too! My girls are grown now and I miss that stage so much! :) Too much distance right now. But we make the most of it when we get together.

Di~ said...

She's growing up! So sweet.

Sally said...

I LOVE IT!!!! Well done, both of you!

Cristin said...

Really cool! Am i pushing the envelope to hope that my son will want to sew and quilt with me someday? I think so. :-). So i just live vicariously thru you for now. Haha
Love the quilt top!

randi--i have to say said...

this is a great idea, amanda! maybe as her years progress, she will follow in your footsteps and be a quilter. now you have her first piece all set aside for her!

Go-Go Kim said...

I love to have my mini me's help out with sewing stuff!!!! Looks like she got the design gene ;o)

Kritta22 said...

What a great mom you are! Now you guys can treasure that time for years to come!!!

Carmen said...

So sweet! Maybe she can dictate her own post about her finished quilt. :)

Colby said...

That's such a cool idea! I inherited the passion for sewing and quilting from my mom as well. I remember similar experiences when I was young. Be hopeful, she will like it more as she grows older. My mom got me into clothing and textiles competitions throught 4-H when I was about nine to start showing my quilts and I loved it.

Aimee said...

She is adorable & I love what she came up with! What a wonderful mother/daughter project!

mary-myneedlethead.blogspot.com said...

Too cute, she is Adorable, Hugs, Mary

Angela Nash said...

Her colors and blocks look amazing! That must be so much fun to watch come together.

And hurray for thready pants!

sonia said...

That is so lovely! My children are still very young (4 and 2) but I'm expecting the day when they want to sew with me. You are a lucky mom and she's a lucky daughter!

Unknown said...

way to go. a mini you!

Linda said...

YAY for miss A! That will be such a neat quilt for her to keep. I'll bet she feels so proud of herself! Tell her "Linda Lehn" says she has done a fabulous job! :) Kudos to you, too for having the patience to put together all those small strips of fabric!

Thimbleanna said...

What a cutie! You're soooo lucky to have a daughter to sew with -- good for you for running with it!

Anne said...

What a great quilt design! Just love it.

dolores said...

Watch out for your stash Crazy Mama cause your sweetie has caught the bug!:)

Johanna said...

Too cute! My daughter has the sewing bug a bit too. It gives me an idea though - I wonder what would happen if I gave my daughter graph paper and my colored pencils. Hmmm...

Liz Jimenez said...

This is excellent! I can't wait to see the finished product. By the way, I love your new header!

A.J. Dub. (Amy) said...

She takes after her mom! Cute quilt. That is great that you do projects together.

Karen said...

Your daughter has caught the quilt bug virus, I see!!! How wonderful for the two of you. I love her quilt!

Terri said...

How wonderful for you, and such a great memory for your daughter. I do love the design. Is this her design? I'd say she definitely has a quilt designing future! I've never seen anything like it! (And I've been almost completely immerced in quilting for 30+ years.)
Hugs!

Erin @ Why Not Sew? Quilts said...

her quilt top is great! Funny how we tend to over think the older we get.
It's never to early to wear thread. That's my moto.
Hey look at that new header and a picture. So pretty!! Have a great day:)

Doris said...

Love the pose, and I'm adoring her quilt. What a great idea to help her finish her own creation!

P.S. Welcome back, AJ!

Libby said...

Wow! She has really grown. When I first found your blog she was just a baby! She is darling and I can't wait to see the finished quilt! Bet it will be a favorite!

Foolish Feathers said...

That is super fun!

Suzanne said...

That's a sweet souvenir of your time together. Love the new look on the blog too!

Alli said...

Oh wow, your daughter's design looks really cool! It's very modern! :)

SarahZ said...

What a treasure it is and will be! Wonderful! You both should feel very proud of your accomplishments and the initiative(s) that made it happen:)

Rhonda the Rambler said...

I love her design so far. You are right...she has quite the eye.

**nicke... said...

what an amazing quilt! you are right, excellent design eye!

Kristen said...

That is so awesome!!! She is make very good use of her, mom's, scraps. :)

armadillo59 said...

I can't wait to see the finished quilt. She is one great little designer. I'm glad you are back but we all do need a break now and again. I've never left a comment before but I've read your blog for quite a while now. Love your tutorials and your style. Also, love that you are so involved in your church. Many blessings to you, you quilty wonder! Shana

Sandi said...

The quilt is looking amazing, kids are so clever!

Theresa said...

How wonderful and what a gorgeous quilt it's going to be. I had to laugh about your 'thready' comment. My family are always picking of bits of cotton from their garments....and me too, particularly in client meetings....what a dag!

Emily said...

Best idea EVER! She (and you!) will have such fond memories of this time.

Kari V. said...

That is a beautiful quilt and what a bonding experience for you two. I can't wait until my daughter is old enough to do that.

Cheryl Arkison said...

Love that girl!

Candy said...

This is a great design - and her mom took her seriously - very affirming. Good for you Amandajean!

Michele said...

Sew sweet! Anything to foster the love of creating.

Darlene said...

What a great quilt - and such a priceless memory you both are creating.

Brandie said...

LOVE IT!!!!

Susana Neiger said...

Awesome! And I love it that you're including her in the fun of designing ... Work is sometimes slower with small helpers (and requires plenty of patience from mom!), but what a great experience for you two to work together!

Shauna said...

She's a true quilter in the making! Glad you are back - missed you! :)

bethanndodd said...

What great memories you are making...the quilt look fabulous so far! Smiles~Beth

Fran said...

I am so glad that you're back! And it's even better that it's coincided with your lovely sewing adventures with your daughter, it's very sweet. I've not ever posted messages before but wanted to say how much I admire you & that I find your blog & your work so inspiring. Your blog was my introduction to the world of quiting & I'm so thankful to you for all that you give out to others - it's very much appreciated & I'm sorry not to have said so before.

Juli said...

Just from that tiny bit in the picture, I can tell that the quilt is going to be fun!

I love the art that children come up with! My son has had some of the best "people".

Annie said...

I love it when my little girl plays with my fabric too! It's actually what she wanted for her birthday (she's 4). Love it, and your girl is super cute!

Sara said...

Awwwww...that top looks incredible and your daughter looks so proud of her work!

pratima said...

So sweet! It is a beautiful quilt in progress.

Katie @SwimBikeQuilt said...

I missed this post, but I think it is fabulous. My son loves to "design quilts" on paper while I'm sewing. Maybe I need to take that next step!

Katherine said...

hee hee... I'm dancing with happiness reading this! I'm picturing all the fun you will continue to have and how you will inspire one another. I'm cheering on the newest mother daughter quilting team! Woot! Woot!

Brittany said...

That is looking great!
I wonder where she got all of that white;)

Quilter Mom of 3 said...

I really like how your daughter's quilt is turning out!!

I can't wait to be able to do that type of thing w/ my son and daughter...

Denice said...

Shes adorable and a fun way to use up more of those scraps! She will always remember her first creation :)

Everyday Quilter said...

I can't wait to see the final product! It is looking adorable already!

quirky granola girl said...

that quilt looks awesome! she's got quite the eye. i'm sure there is enough quilting inspiration around your house :)

Maureen said...

I can't wait to see her finished product!!!! Thank you for your wonderful blog!