Beachside Quilter Posted May 22, 2011 Report Share Posted May 22, 2011 Remember a couple weeks ago when I had all the wasp stings? I was picking up Benedryl at the pharmacy when a new customer called me with a "rush" job. She had made a quilt for her granddaughter's graduation and wanted to know if I could quilt it by June 1. I asked her if it was ready and I would stop by to pick it up. She said she just had to finish sewing the "bottom" and would have it ready in a while. "Bottom"? She said she had sewed it up all the sides and flipped it inside out and as soon as she sewed the bottom closed it was ready. I explained that longarming doesn't work like that, but she lived right by the pharmacy so I drove on over. Lovely lady, said she doesn't know how to sew, bought a $50 machine at WalMart, pre-cut fabric squares at JoAnn's and put the quilt top together. She layered it with the backing (white muslin) and batting just like the gal at JoAnn's told her. When she flipped it inside out the batting was on the outside. I pointed that out to her and she said, no problem, just leave it that way. I convinced her to let me take it apart and quilt it the correct way. She was so sweet, she said "oh, could you?" I said, "no problem". When I asked her for a tape measure to get the dimensions, she brought me a carpenter's steel tape! I took it home, figuring I couldn't work that day because of my hand, but maybe I could take her layers apart. Took it apart then decided to load it (all while holding an icepack on my hand) and figured I would go ahead and get the first row sewed. Used my CL Swirls board and was able to quilt the entire quilt with one hand. Got it all finished up, next day made the binding and machine sewed it on. When I delivered it to her, she squealed, "that isn't MY quilt!"; what did you do to it; it's SO beautiful" and burst into tears! I finally convinced her that it was indeed her quilt and she had done a wonderful job, despite her first efforts and no previous sewing knowledge! Her husband remarked, "well, we'll see you next year cause we have another granddaughter graduating NEXT June"!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elkayr Posted May 22, 2011 Report Share Posted May 22, 2011 What a great story! Thanks for sharing. The quilt is really nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnHenry Posted May 22, 2011 Report Share Posted May 22, 2011 Such a sweet story! You did a great job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beachside Quilter Posted May 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 22, 2011 Thanks, Linda. The backing was short, but because it was only white muslin I was able to add a piece and it didn't show. I pinned false leader to the sides to quilt all the way to the edges of her quilt. Turned out great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zora Posted May 22, 2011 Report Share Posted May 22, 2011 What a great story, and how kind you were to fix all these issues for her. And, of course, your efforts were rewarded in the best possible way! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted May 22, 2011 Report Share Posted May 22, 2011 Vicki what a great person you are to have taken care of her like that. Helps remind us that sometimes it is ok to do things we normally wouldn't do. What a lovely story and how nice to get that kind of reaction. The quilt did come out really nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judi Posted May 22, 2011 Report Share Posted May 22, 2011 awhhh - sweet story and very pretty quilt too! You are such a nice person! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffq-lar Posted May 22, 2011 Report Share Posted May 22, 2011 What a great story to go with an equally great quilt! You are so kind and generous to help her with her first efforts and it came out gorgeous! This is such a gratifying job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeri Posted May 22, 2011 Report Share Posted May 22, 2011 Sweet! I use steel retractable tape measures all the time. I have 2 in my studio and one in my pocketbook. They don't stretch so they are more accurate than a flexible tape measure. I would assume they are carpenture's tape measures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarenH Posted May 22, 2011 Report Share Posted May 22, 2011 Vickie, you did a beautiful job on the quilt! I am so glad you shared your story, that was a wonderful thing that you did for her!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shar Schmutz Posted May 22, 2011 Report Share Posted May 22, 2011 Vickie you won't forget this experience! You have such a big heart and it shows!!! To do all this while suffering the wasp stings! This lady is now a quilter because of you! She will continue to make quilts for her family, what a wonderful gift you have given her! Bless you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibbyG Posted May 22, 2011 Report Share Posted May 22, 2011 I love to hear stories like this. Quilters have so much empathy for others and when it's really appreciated it makes you feel so good. You're truly a sweetheart! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cblevins Posted May 23, 2011 Report Share Posted May 23, 2011 That is an awesome story and a beautiful quilt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmcclannan Posted May 23, 2011 Report Share Posted May 23, 2011 God bless you, Vickie, for being so gracious to this customer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delld Posted May 23, 2011 Report Share Posted May 23, 2011 Vickie it is beautiful and it's pink to match the benedryl! Wonderful story and you are a great person!!!!! Can't wait to see what she brings you next! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Littleshoes Posted May 23, 2011 Report Share Posted May 23, 2011 what a great story. thanks for posting this, it really is a beautiful quilt. You did a wonderful job and thing for her! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Primitive1 Posted May 23, 2011 Report Share Posted May 23, 2011 Vickie what a generous and kind person you are! I am sure she will remember this for a long time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltmonkey Posted May 23, 2011 Report Share Posted May 23, 2011 Yaaaaay! I love happy endings! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReisingStarQuilts Posted May 23, 2011 Report Share Posted May 23, 2011 Awesome quilt by an awesome quilter!!!!;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandmaLKB Posted May 23, 2011 Report Share Posted May 23, 2011 That was sooooo nice of you - especially since you weren't feeling well after the stings. Looks like she did a pretty good job of piecing and it turned out really pretty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Linda S Posted May 23, 2011 Report Share Posted May 23, 2011 I love first time quilters. I always do my best, even if they have some piecing issues, to make that quilt as nice as I can. You end up with improving piecers who become very loyal customers. Way to go! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlnewell Posted May 23, 2011 Report Share Posted May 23, 2011 Vickie, very pretty quilt. The cl swirls look great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Posted May 23, 2011 Report Share Posted May 23, 2011 Oh, that is a sweet story. You know some people are so intimidated when bringing their first quilt to a Longarmer. You made it a great experience for her and it sounded like her husband was happy, too. I always get a kick out of it when husbands are just as tickled with the quilts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoseCity Quilter Posted May 23, 2011 Report Share Posted May 23, 2011 Great story! Thanks for brightening my day with it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judy Bland Posted May 23, 2011 Report Share Posted May 23, 2011 It's weird how things happen! I recieved a quilt by post and her name is Vicki too, she apologised in advance for "inconsistencies" in her piecing, done some time ago, It' the Lakehouse, BOM, someone posted finished pics of one a few weeks ago, I asked her permission to re-do the borders 'coz the mitres were way off and she's delighted that I suggested that, however while I was unpicking borders I found lots and lots of places where seam allowances were down to 1 or 2 threads and a few spots where it's already frayed apart eeeck!! It just seemed like the right thing to do to just go through and sort it and now I've read your post and all the comments, I know the extra hours and hours it's taken will be worthwhile, if nothing else I know it won't come apart as I quilt it! cheers Judy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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