Tuesday, February 1, 2011

My Very First

Hello Everyone,

I thought that it would be kind of fun to show you around my very first patchwork project that I made waaaaay back in 6th grade Home Economics. Now it isn't even called that, it is called Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS).

So come take the tour with me, all the way back to my younger days! (Much younger)


Here it is in all it's faded glory! My first patchwork pillow. Not bad for my 1st attempt. Color selection was good. Although, I think the fabric is a poly/cotton blend. Not sure that I had too much of a choice back then. So I probably chose what appealed to me.


You can even see that I did a pretty decent job of matching points.


And then also mixed that in with a not so decent job of matching points.


The pillow was stuffed with, I think, a poly fiber fill. Not sure why, but we didn't use a pillow form. Maybe lack of availability or price.


The back was just simple plain solid.


You can see where I stitched it closed, as we did not do an envelope style back.

A couple of things that really amaze me about this project:
1. That I still actually have it!
2. That I did a pretty decent job, at least I think so.
3. It really drove home the memory of learning to sew garments. I so enjoyed doing that in Home Economics and made tons!!
4. It also gave me a comforting kind of feeling, knowing that I have always enjoyed sewing in all its forms.

Do you still have your very first sewing/quilting project?
If you do, I would love to see it!! Or at least hear about it and what memories it brings back for you. I have enjoyed sharing mine.

Before you leave don't forget to enter my big fabric GIVEAWAY on this post, by clicking here.

Until Next Time...

***All Westminster Fabrics are marked down to $7.15 per yard through 2/4. Just click here to begin shopping.***

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25 comments:

Abby and Stephanie said...

I had two less than successful attempts at Home Ec and I do not still have the projects. Your pillow is really sweet and how fun you still have it. I do have my very first quilted project, a wall hanging. I keep it as a reminder of how far I've come.

deborah said...

Your pillow is a sweet reminder!
Gosh, its been so long ago...I hardly have anything from then. My grandmother was a seamstress and she always gave me her scraps to make doll clothing. I made my first top when I was 11 and my first quilt top at age 12. I never finished that top, it was so heavy I tired of tying it I guess! Sewing has been such an integral part of my life - I can't imagine life without it, can you?

Kathryn said...

My first project was a gathered skirt for 4-H. I was probably 11 years old. From there I went on to make most of my clothes in HS and college. Now it's just quilts that I sew!

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

WE didn't have Home Ec...until high school here..and I went the Commercial route...so; I was much later starting to sew...never made clothing at all....had no interest.then my mother-in-law got me started at quilts....that we it for me!!!! I first made a small crib quilt all pieced and quilted by hand....loved it!! I gave it to a friend for her first baby....she still has it....

Victoria Findlay Wolfe said...

Yeah, some of my early sewing projects still exist... A purple duffle bag with RAINBOW handles... you know, like Mork from Ork's suspenders... (that dates me doesn't it?) A stuffed Dog, and a doll, which my daughter now has, and an applique project that I had dreaded, and had to finish at home while I had a broken leg and couldn't get on the school bus... The stories of the times are more interesting then the projects! Oh! and a great patchwork 8 point star pillow... hmm, maybe that's why I like Y seams so much! I wish they still taught home ec...

Anonymous said...

Not shabby at all. My first patchwork is still in existence in my childhood bedroom. I made it at 7 with my grandmother. I had grandiose plans of my heart and triangle shaped patches, but she talked me into a simple nine patch. It got me hooked though!

crazylegs quilting said...

I can't believe you still have it, either. How cool! I used to "design" and hand sew Barbie clothes with my Mom's scraps. When I was 7 yrs. she taught me to make a skirt with a zipper, so I always made garments. I didn't start quilting til I was almost 40. (Thanks, Mom)

Robin (RsIslandCrafts) said...

We made drawstring laundry bags. I made mine from denim and I still have it. My Daughter used to keep her Barbies in it. I think it's pack away in the attic holding some other mementos from way back when the kids were little. I do remember sewing through my finger on the sewing machine while making that project. I'm hoping that is the last time I will do that.

In Middle School all students had to rotate through different classes. We had home ec with sewing and cooking, then shop and art classes. I thought it was a great way for both the boys and girls to try a bit of everything.

PunkiePie (Jen) said...

You did a great job! Kudos for saving it too! We didn't have a sewing option in our Home-Ec class in HS (no home ec in Jr. High). Wish we did. I could have gotten started much sooner with all this sewing!

Nedra said...

I am impressed that you saved the pillow all these years. I'm sure that those red and blue calicos will come back into popularity at one point. Thanks for sharing!

Vickie E said...

thanks for sharing. I have a project from when I was 8 or 10 that was my first quilt of sorts...it was for my Barbies! we all started somewhere.

Glenna @ Hollyhock Quilts said...

I, too, am amazed that you still have it! High School was also my kicking off point for sewing as my Mom did not sew. But we didn't do any patchwork. A fun stroll down memory lane!

Michele said...

You were obviously a natural. I didn't take Home Ec, but I wish I did.

Nancy said...

I took Home Ec in 7th grade..our first project was an apron that was put onto a plastic band of some sort...lol Then we made an A-Line skirt. Sadly someone stole my skirt as soon as it was finished...

DianeY said...

I'm amazed you still have it! I actually started sewing before I took home ec, I think a gathered skirt was my first project. In home ec, I got to learn stuff like setting in sleeves & doing a collar-I was the advanced one in a class full of first-timers!

Hi! My name is erica. Would you be my friend? said...

That's so sweet! It's wonderful that you still have it! I only took 1/4 of a semester mandatory home ec. (That new title is ridiculous! :D lol) I made shorts. I know they were hideous, but I wore them (around the house) until the seam gave out. That was pretty much it for me. I wonder what it would have been like to sew back then? I didn't do the craft thing until I became a stay at home mom with lots of time to fill and a nest-y instinct. ;)

annemariesquilt said...

You did great Jackie ;-) I have a quilt I made when I was 15 , maybe I should show too..

pratima said...

So sweet! It's wonderful that you still have your first patchwork pillow :-)
A friend taught me to do a cathedral doll quilt during our school holidays. But I don't have it any more. And my first quilt top is still a top :-)

CJ said...

The first thing I ever made in Home Ec was a drawstring bag to carry my gym clothes in. That was 7th grade and I used that bag all the way thru high school. No idea what happened to it.

Teresa said...

How fun that you still have it - and it really is special.

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

Oh Jackie, It is great and super fun that you still have it!! Thanks for sharing.

Days and colors said...

Such a lovely memory! I don't have my first project anymore, my first quilt was for my son, quite crooked, but it was dearly loved, I had to to mend it many times!

Nanette Merrill said...

You were born a fabulous sewer/quilter. I'm not at all surprised.

maria said...

That a pretty one for a first try.

Marie

Diane H said...

Still have my first Home Ec project! A pink gingham apron with an embroidered butterfly on the pocket. Like you, I think I did a great job - my apron's almost 40 years old now and I'm still very proud of it.

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