Saying Thank You

Monday, September 12, 2016

In May, I received an amazing surprise gift. A Singer featherweight sewing machine!


Singer Featherweight
My dad made the table from an old treadle sewing machine base. My maternal great grandfather was a Singer repairman!

My great aunt Ruelena knew I was looking for one, so she decided to purchase one for me! My parents and grandparents had helped her out during the winter, and knowing they would never accept payment, she decided to pay it forward! So unexpected!



Disappearing Nine Patch Quilt
Can you spy my Grandma's featherweight in this photo?


I knew immediately that I wanted to make her a quilt as a thank you using the new-to-me machine to piece it. After looking through my stash, I had the perfect fat quarter bundle that matched her style. It is Ellie Ann fabric by Eleanor Burns for Benartex Fabrics. I won the fabric from Benartex after their winter Olympics competition in February of 2014.


Ellie Ann by Eleanor Burns by Benartex Fabrics


Ellie Ann by Eleanor Burns by Benartex Fabrics

I decided to make jumbo disappearning nine patch blocks and make a queen sized quilt to fit her bed.


Disappearing Nine Patch Quilt


Disappearing Nine Patch Quilt


Disappearing Nine Patch Quilt

After cutting the fat quarter bundle into squares, a little math led me to my favorite local quilt shop to pick up a few yards of a coordinating print. This was also a Benartex fabric, but from the Garden Palette collection by Two Friends. I also bought the extra-wide quilt back there.


Disappearing Nine Patch Quilt


Disappearing Nine Patch Quilt

Each quilt block measured 24" before cutting and re-sewing. The finished quilt top measured 92" square. I sent it to my longarmer (Hi, Mom!) to quilt.


Disappearing Nine Patch Quilt


Disappearing Nine Patch Quilt

We planned to visit family over Labor Day weekend, and Great Aunt Ruelena would be there! I made two matching pillowcases and prepared the binding to take with me. Upon arriving, I sewed the binding on and put a hand-written label on the back.

Disappearing Nine Patch Quilt


Disappearing Nine Patch Quilt

We had a very tight schedule for the weekend, so I did not have a chance to take pictures of the finished quilt before gifting.


Matching pillowcases

Ruelena was very surprised to receive the quilt! She has never sewn. When I told her it was a thank you for gifting me the featherweight, she said, "I got the better deal out of that!" Which is hilarious, because to me, I got the better deal!


Disappearing Nine Patch Quilt


Disappearing Nine Patch Quilt

I loved all the secret sewing that went into this quilt and being able to gift it to Ruelena in person. She was so grateful and full of joy upon receiving the quilt. Which makes it worth every stitch.


Disappearing Nine Patch Quilt

Thank you, Ruelena. You gifted me much more than a sewing machine.


Disappearing Nine Patch Quilt

This is my 29th quilt finish for the year; my 70th quilt overall! The first on my Singer featherweight.

Disappearing Nine Patch Quilt

1 comment:

  1. Really pretty quilt. I like the colors in this quilt. Cool story, too. I remember my Grandmother having a singer like that.

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