Pillow Sham

Yesterday, my mom came in town and between the two of us, we were able to finish up the matching pillow sham to go with her 100 Good Wishes Quilt. I think it turned out beautifully, but I'm a little bit biased. Thanks again mom... you're the best! As always, my mom does the sewing and I do the cutting and trimming.

Binding is (mostly) attached!

After a bit of a rough start, we finally got the binding attached to the 100 Good Wishes Quilt. We're getting to be old pros at this now. All that's left for me to do is to hand sew the binding to the back of the quilt (that's going to take a while!). I think you know what I'll be doing over the next few weeks in the evenings!


I just stare at the quilt in utter amazement and the tears just start to flow - knowing that some day soon our daughter will be snuggling underneath it wrapped in all the warmth and love from everyone who helped to make it happen. And the biggest thank you goes to my mom without whom this quilt would not exist. I love you!

Back from the Quilter!

Got a surprise phone call this afternoon - the lady doing the long arm quilting of our 100 Good Wishes Quilt called and said it was ready and when would you like to come by to pick it up. Needing instant gratification, we rushed over this evening and picked it up. I just love it! She did a wonderful job. Her place is a bit barren in the photos as she just moved a few days ago. I can't wait for my mom to see the quilt. And even more so - our future daughter who will sleep tight under it.

It's off at the quilter's

Today, I dropped the quilt off at Coleen's who will be doing the long arm quilting of our 100 Good Wishes Quilt. I had such a hard time deciding on what pattern to use for the all-over quilting. Then I had to decide on thread color. So many decisions... and I'd have to live with whatever I chose forever. It was not to be taken lightly.

This is a pretty close representation of what I chose as the all-over pattern. I can't wait to see it all done.

The 100 Good Wishes Quilt top is done

My mom came in today and we finished putting together the quilt top for our daughter's 100 Good Wishes Quilt. It turned out so beautifully! I just wish my daughter was here to be wrapped up in it. All in good time, I guess...

I chose this pattern because it kind of reminded me of a basket weave - all the love being woven around her to keep her warm and loved all night long.

And as is tradition in Amish quilts - it's not supposed to be perfect. It should always have at least one flaw in it. As neither of us had made a quilt before - there are plenty of those to go around! Just don't look too closely!

Thanks mom for all your hard work. I love you!

Now, I have to call the quilter who will be doing the long-arm quilting on her machine. Fun times!

My mom sewing on the last of the sashing

the finished 100 Good Wishes Quilt

My mom modeling her handiwork

Me modeling the finished quilt. Love it!

My mom is a busy little beaver!

I was just informed today that my mom finished sewing the last of the strips/rows for our daughter's 100 Good Wishes Quilt. On her next visit here, we just need to sew them onto the finished part of the quilt and then add the top and bottom sashes to the quilt. I can't believe that it's almost done already. After that, I just have to meet up with the lady who will be doing the quilting. Exciting!!

Wishing you all a wonderful new year!

This is the time to reflect on all you're thankful for and make resolutions for the new year. I have a wonderful husband, a comfortable house and an amazing family. There's really only one thing missing - our daughter(s)! May 2011 finally be OUR YEAR!

Wishing you and your families a very Happy New Year!

Starting the 100 Good Wishes Quilt

To welcome and celebrate a new life, there is a tradition in the northern part of China to make a Bai Jia Bei, or “100 Good Wishes Quilt.” It is a custom to invite 100 people to contribute a single square patch of cloth. The 100 patches are sewn together into a quilt that contains the luck, energy, and good wishes from all the families and friends who contributed a piece of fabric. The quilt is then passed down from generation to generation.

Well, yesterday I went to my parent's house so my mom and I could do round 2 of making our daughter's quilt (I forgot to take pictures when we first started it).

I am so happy with the pattern and how it's turning out. I was in charge of trimming the blocks to the correct size for the pattern I created and then my mom did the sewing (the hard and long part!). This pattern will have 108 squares which I figure means more love was put into it!

Well, without further ado, here's where we're at... We're about half way done with the front. Yeah! I'm going to have to find someone to do the actual quilting of it. I can't wait!

My mom sewing rows together

My mom and I modeling the quilt so far

Pattern picked out!

Well, I finally did it - I figured out the pattern I'm going to use for our daughter's 100 Good Wishes Quilt. With the help of some of the ladies at my local quilting store, we found a pattern that looks difficult, but is really simple (see brick-looking one on left of cover). It will end up using 108 squares, so it's going to be a bit more than the 100 needed, but I liked the pattern so much, that a few more good wishes wasn't going to hurt! Just means a little bit more sewing for my mom and I. Today I modified the pattern to fit a Twin sized bed. I can't wait to start on it. Probably won't have any time until the last week of September/beginning of October. It's going to take a while to make. I'll try to post progress photos as we get going on the quilt.

Wish us luck!

Quilt is finally done!

Well, I finally got our daughter's lap quilt all done - the final touch was for me to hand sew the binding to the back of the quilt. It took me one evening and an afternoon of beautiful weather (nothing better than sitting on your deck in the shade!) and it was done. I just love how it turned out. My swap-mates sent me beautiful squares to work with. My mom did an amazing job of sewing. My quilting friend Debbie guided us as we worked - we couldn't have done it without her.

Next up, her 100 Good Wishes Quilt. If anyone has pattern ideas, I'm all ears!