Monday, July 06, 2009

:: MY GO TO GIFT ::


For the most part, baby blankets are my go-to baby gifts (However, I am on a barrette kick now, so sorry if you'd rather have a blanket. Throw me hints... I'll make you a blanket.). My dear friend Erin had a sweet little baby girl last month and I wanted to make her something that showed her how much she means to me as a friend. First let me give you a background...

As a 21 year-old, I decided to serve a mission for the LDS church. I wasn't sure I was doing the right thing at all, but I turned in my papers and got a call to serve in Florida. I was very very nervous about going and knew that having a good companion to help train me was going to be a crucial part of my experience (It is always easier to blame someone else when things don't go the way as planned, right?). I went to the MTC and had an okay time. I figured most people have a 'okay' time at the MTC so I didn't let it account to much. I arrived in Florida and wondered what I had gotten myself into. Seriously, I was ready to turn around. I spent my first night in the mission home with tear filled eyes. The next morning all of my doubts and fears went away as I met Sister Erin Enke. She greeted me with a hug and bright red fingernails. I was thrilled. Erin and I had a great few months together and formed a lifelong friendship. Since we've both been home, we've spent only a handful of days together. But I'll never forget how wonderful and patient she was with me. She was fantastic and she loved Peeps and Cadbury Mini Eggs more than I do. I love those friends that feel as if you've never spent a day apart even though you haven't seen them for years.


This blanket is easy but can look so fantastic if you choose the right color scheme. With this version, I cut 3 1/4" strips of fabric in various lengths and sewed them together in one continuous piece. I then cut 40" strips and made enough to get a 40" width when sewn together to make a square. After basting the quilt, I just rand the blanket through my machine on the seams to quilt it. Easy peasy. I feel that the 'fanciness' comes through the binding. It doesn't matter what your quilt top and bottom look like. When you have a nice hand stitched hem, it really finished the quilt. Heather Bailey and You Tube both have fantastic tutorials for this type of binding.

Anyway, there you go, Erin! I hope you and Lucy enjoy it! Good luck on your motherhood adventures. :)

4 comments:

Tanya said...

Beautiful quilt, I love it! I need to get sewing again. I haven't worked on anything since you were at my place.

rychelle said...

Hi, I am Heather's SIL. I was just blog hopping!@ I love the quilts and baretts and the COLORS you use!! inspirational! I love this quilt!

~ Angela said...

I love your blog. But I love, love, love the bird quilt you made for Holly!
I've been so busy the past few weeks that I got way behind on my blog stalking. Too bad, because I found out just today that you came through Boise. We could have had a quick catch-up session. I'd love to see that adorable little girl in real-life.
I'll have to give you a call next time I'm down to visit Suzie.

Kristin said...

I was wondering how you knew Erin, love it. She was my roommate a BYU, such a wonderful girl. So happy to have found you after all these years. Hows your family?

 
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