The Shoemaker’s Children

Are you familiar with the phrase “the shoemaker’s children have no shoes”? I heard my mother say this about acquaintances, but don’t remember exactly why. Maybe it was a neighbor who sold all the milk and eggs for cash but did not save any of the nutritious food for his family’s dinner. Or the coach who spent hours with members of his teams but had little time for his own children. Who knows? But I did understand what she meant when it was used in a conversation. I am happy to report that is not the case with the Quilters at First. We often say we are delighted to have an outlet for all our sewing and quilting; our families have said enough! But, we still take time to create for a special occasion—weddings, new babies or graduations!

The quilt made for a special person is a bit more stressful and a bit more satisfying! We try to find out the color of the baby’s room or the interests of that special person. We consider the size of the person–for my 6’3″ tall grandson, a lap quilt is out of the question. But for my new born great niece, it is the standard size. Does the recipient dislike kittens? or frogs? or the color purple? Or are they KSU die-heart fans and would be offend by a KU red and blue quilt?

Peggy makes her great nieces and nephews a quilt for their high school graduation. Each one created after a great deal of thought!

I hope my great nieces and nephews do not learn about this–they get an Amazon gift card! (Love how the same pattern can be so different depending on the fabric choices.)

Janis, who has made many beautiful appliquéd quilts and wall hangings for the Quilt Etc Sale, has also found time to make a special quilt for each great grandchild in her special style.

For the twins, they received similar but different Mother-Baby bond theme quilts. (The photo is before she had them quilted)

For Christmas each grandchild has a personalized stocking to hang, a treasure that they will appreciate more each holiday.

The first two children of our niece received these quilts–

and the third baby is due in June— have the fabric and pattern but have not started!

Niece Sara ask for quilts made from her boys baby clothes–requests make me nervous!

My eldest grandson has always chosen green as his favorite color…and we spent hours in a shop selecting the fabric for his “grown up” quilt–his baby quilt had elephants. He flew to college with this quilt in his luggage. It makes a grandma’s heart so happy to know he wraps up at night in his dorm in the quilt I made him.

All of would drop whatever we are doing to sew for our family; it is tangible expression of our love for them. But we also love our Church and use our love of quilting to help support two important outreach programs, the TV ministry and the Religious Nurture Center.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Look what just arrived!

The taupe background fabric sets off the jewel tones of fabric. The back has the same materials so really you are getting two quilts for one price. The machine quilting is a floral theme. It is hand bound and can be machine washed and dried. The quilt is 51″ x 67″. $185

Vicki also finished this adaptation of the “Log Cabin” in red, white and blue. It is 59″ x 59″ and is $175. It is machine quilted and hand bound. The back is a dark red. It, too, can be machine washed and dried. It is perfect addition to your Memorial Day and 4th of July decor.

Need a summer purse to carry your essentials at the 4th of July fireworks? Machine quilted with snap fasteners. $20

Quilters “got” to quilt/sew, and if not for their families, then for you. Hope you have October 17-19 on your calendar for the Quilts Etc Sale!