Fun with Dick and Jane

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The Artist and The Intellect

When I was a little girl
With blonde pigtails for hair
I lived on a quaint quiet lane.

It was there that I met
A bright girl with straight hair
And life thankfully was never the same.

Jennifer and I have been friends since we were just learning how to color within the lines. Over the years we have managed a few brief visits spanning from Georgia to Texas but have always kept in touch with letters (both hand written and hand typed). She has a beautiful family that is about to expand by one.

Last week I finished my first quilt. I’ve always wanted to make one and felt that the any-day-now arrival of Jennifer’s baby boy was just the occasion.

Why I Did What I Did

Included with my quilt was a little letter explaining not only the importance of his mother and our friendship but also a few thoughts on what inspired my choices of fabric.
Here is a little excerpt of what I wrote:

“Art is very important to me so your quilt is made up of primary colors. You can make any color in the world from red, blue and yellow.

Memories and history are two of my other favorite things to think about so I made sure to include a vintage “Dick & Jane” fabric from the 1950s in your quilt. Dick and Jane are also important because of their enthusiasm for learning and reading.”

Yeah, okay, I know it will be at least a decade before this little guy even cares what I’m gushing about but still, it was important to write down.

How I Learned to Love Sewing Again

The pattern and instructions came from “Super Simple Quilts #1 with Alex Anderson & Liz Aneloski”, purchased along with a rotary cutter by Melinda on my birthday this year. FYI my birthday’s in January. It nearly took a complete gestation period to get this project going!

So here’s a quick peek at the various steps involved with making my quilt. I’ll leave out the two hours I spent searching for the perfect material at Fabric Depot (much to the horror of my sister who accompanied me there).

First I cut each of my fabrics into strips.

Then the strips are sewn together according to the instructions and cut into squares.

Next the squares are arranged to form a pattern (which is beautifully illustrated in the booklet – no confusion!). Here’s where I wished my Ikea table was about two feet wider but alas I made it all work.



At last the pieces were sewn together like a bright and varied puzzle.

I almost feel that the two most challenging portions came next. It comes in handy if you have a large floor without cat hair.

The Backing



I am a tad particular about things looking neat, so even the backside of the quilt took on a little pattern.

The Knotting and Binding



I kid you not, I watched four DVDs of Lost while knotting the layers together and binding the edges together. (That’s 16 forty minute episodes!)

So ta-da!

My first quilt is complete and a beautiful baby boy is set to be nice and warm this winter.