Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Quilt for the Teacher

My grandson's third grade teacher missed the last month or so of school this year as she had to have surgery. It was suggested that it would be nice to present her with a quilt from her class - an idea from my daughter. "Can you make a quilt, Mom?" Sure! No problem. I actually had a great time. I went to the classroom and talked to the students about quilting and how the pioneers had to "go green" and make do with fabric from worn clothes to make quilts. No Target to run down to to buy a blanket! We talked about the resurgence of quilting in this country during the bicentenial and how it's grown ever since. The students were all very polite and had LOTS of questions. I had a quilt square for each of the students and they all drew pictures and wrote something about how they felt. Talk about darling! When I got the squares I put them together and took it with my BFF to quilt it on a long arm quilting machine that she teaches with. I can't thank her enough. We were there over four hours and she had a newly broken ankle - not one word of complaint from Nikki!!! After quilting and binding it I took it back to the classroom on the last day of school so the kids could give it to her. "Grandma Jean's here!" I received so many hugs and had to sign everyone's little third grade yearbook. I even received a book full of thank you letters. Good job substitute teacher Amy!!! Very humbling. Here are some pictures of the process.

Backing and binding loaded on the machine.



Getting the top loaded.

Doing my little "loop-d-loops".

Closeup of one of the blocks. Might that be my grandson's?


Getting ready to square it up.


Squared up and ready to bind and label.


Mission Accomplished!!!! Now how fun was that!?!

10 comments:

Rhondi said...

Hi Jean
The teacher is going to love that quilt and cherish it forever. What a wonderful thing for you to do for her.
I noticed your comment on Amongst The Oaks about having a quilt show at that lavender farm. That must be great. I hope you show us lots of pictures.
Enjoy your day.
Hugs, Rhondi

Beverly said...

What a wonderful, wonderful treasure you have helped those sweet children create for someone special in their lives.

It is just beautfiful.

Dandelion Quilts said...

How special is that? I bet the kids loved it and what a loving care package to give the teacher. I really think it turned out extra nice too.

Linda said...

Hi Jean, what a wonderful quilt you helped the children create. This is a keepsake their teacher will forever treasure. Hugs, Linda

Lisa said...

Hi Jean,
Just stopped by to see what's new. Your quilt is gorgeous. How kind of you to do it. I love seeing your quilts.
Lisa

Poppedijne said...

Hi Jean, What a lovely quilt it has become.I did this two years in a row for my daughters teacher who in both years became pregnant. In those days we all did everything by hand so it was a lot of work for me to handquilt them both times.In those days quilts where something very new her in Belgium.The children where to young to sew themselfs so the first years the parents had to sew the strips together...Most of them I had to do again. Newbody can sew anymore.The second years the children sewed the strips themselfs. I wonder what happened with the quilts..But it was good fun and they where recieved very well. Have an nice day

Unknown said...

As a retired teacher I think I can safely say that she will love and cherish the quilt. You are such a nice grandmother to help with this project.
This is my first time to visit your blog....everything looks great!

ChaChaneen said...

Wow, what a wondeful gift! I had no idea of all the work involved with the machines and all! God is going to bless your socks off for that! You touched many lives and shared a memory!

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

Jean, this turned out so cute!! What a wonderful treasure to give to a teacher. She is blessed to have a Grammy Jean!!!

xo
Becky

Thimbleanna said...

Gosh Miss Jean -- I wondered why you haven't blogged in several days and it wasn't you -- it was my bloglines! I didn't get notification for your last several posts -- grrr! It looks like you've been really busy! I love the quilt you've done for the class -- isn't it fun to be with kids and quilting???