Wednesday, May 27, 2009

For Jon With Love

Even though I had to do it twice, it was worth every stitch, every bit of effort I put into it. Jon's graduation quilt is repaired and done and this is it on his bed in the cave (his basement room). He hasn't seen it yet. I can't wait until he gets home.
We had an amazing weekend with Jon graduating and Ben turning 20 on Sunday and everyone here to celebrate with them. Couldn't have been any better. Jon's speech was FABULOUS...he blew all the adults speaking out of the water. My dad was sitting next to me and after Jon spoke, he turned to some random lady behind him and said, "that's my grandson...he got his speaking ability from me!" We were all so proud. He has an amazing future ahead of him.
I changed the design of the quilt since I last posted about it. This quilt has had many renditions. I'm thrilled with the final design. The top section of blocks I combined into pairs and then framed them. In the bottom section the blocks are framed individually.
I love the interest that the vertical pairs add to the quilt. I love the blue and cream linen. The back is chocolate brown flannel. Jon loves things that are soft and cuddly. I think the quilting gives that modern, minimal feel that Jon requested.
This is the replacement block. When I washed the quilt last week for the first time, one of the blocks disintegrated in the washer. It didn't have anything to do with the construction of the block...in fact, it didn't even rip at a seam. I think the quilt must have caught on something in the washer and just ripped and ripped as it washed. I was lucky only one block had to be replaced. It was a chore. I took out about a fourth of the quilting and took the top apart to integrate the new block. I didn't have an extra because I used the one extra block I had to make a pillow sham. I didn't want to rip that up, so I took a block I made for a blue/green project improv quilt out of the scraps from this quilt.
Liz, it was your block that was destroyed. It's so sad that it happened. It was one of Jon's favorites when it arrived. Just know that it was in there in the beginning and the accident and the story adds to the value of this quilt.

81 comments:

Nichole said...

this quilt is wonderful, jacquie! i am sure your son will love it.

Two Dogs and a Quilt said...

I LOVE how you set the blocks in this quilt! It is masculine, sleek and I bet he will love it.

Kangaroo said...

WOW. What a mama you are...and it sounds like you have a very special boy there. This is gorgeous, Jacquie, you have every right to be proud of Jon--and of this incredible quilt. The quilting is impeccable. I'm excited for him to come home and see it!!

Kristine Hanson said...

lovely! your son will treasure it

Beth said...

Congrats on the quilt and the son. You should be very proud of making both! ;-)

Mushyhed said...

What an amazing quilt! I'm sure your son will love it!

Liz Jimenez said...

Oh wow, it's beautiful!! Sort of softly masculine without going over the top with BLUE and BOY THINGS! What an incredible gift.

MichelleB said...

What a fabulous quilt! I love it, and I'm sure that he will too. I can't believe what happened to your block (!), but it looks great and does make a great story. Congrats to the graduate!

Lunden said...

The quilt is gorgeous! I love how you arranged the blocks and how the whole thing is put together. The design is truly inspirational.

flanthrower said...

Wow! What a quilt and what a labor of love! I'm sure your son will treasure it. It is truly a work of art!

RosaMarĂ­a said...

wow!! this quilt is really amazing!!

Shogun said...

This quilt is amazing and even more special because of all the extra work.

Michaela said...

This is absolutely beautiful! I bet he is going to love it. Thanks for inspiration again, this time it was sooo needed.

Trisha said...

What a shame to have had to go through all that with this quilt. But like you said it does make quite a story and makes the quilt that much more special. It turned out so wonderful. I am sure your son will cherish it always.

Brenda said...

great rescue, great story, but what a pain to have to fix it when it was already done. congrats on an accomplished son, who is now the owner of wonderful quilt as well as a degree.

Victoria said...

Congratulations on the many accomplishments... Your son's graduation, the beautiful quilt, (it really is wonderful!) and the fabulous repair job. I agree, the story adds to the quilts provenance.

Tina said...

A memorable weekend and a memorable quilt. You probably would have liked the quilt to have been not-so-memorable. But it did turn out so wonderfully despite the drama. You did a terrific job putting it together, so uniquely you and what a great gift for your wonderful son!

Kerri said...

wow!! such a great quilt, and what a story behind it!! it will be treasured for sure!!

Shannon said...

It turned out lovely!

Unknown said...

Congratulations on many fronts... a graduate, a birthday and a wonderful completed quilt top! What a story though. You sound thrilled with the results, as you should be, it is beautiful and he will just love it!

Vicki said...

It looks wonderful. I'm so sorry about the tragedy. :( but glad you were able to fix the quilt.

Katherine said...

It's beautiful. I bet you were heartbroken to have a block destroyed during the washing of the quilt.

Your son is going to be thrilled with such a wonderful gift.

Abby and Stephanie said...

Despite the drama surrounding the quilt it now has a story. It's very handsome and I just love your unique style and sense of color. No matter how old our children get they still love something snuggly!

Julie @ Jaybird Quilts said...

i know it can be sad when something happens to a block... especially when you are done with the quilt.. i'm impressed by your solution and if you hadn't told us i'd never know something had happened!

Thimbleanna said...

Congratulations to Jon! What better way to go out into the world with a beautiful new quilt made by Mom???

szkornelia said...

This is a very nice quilt. I am sure your son will love it too.

jovaliquilts said...

Congratulations! You must be so very, very proud of your son. :)
It's an awesome quilt and I can only imagine how awful it must have been to pull it from the washer and discover a shredded block. Must have been so disheartening. Looks great now!

Cheryl said...

What a wonderful quilt! I love the minimalist look to it. And what a story about the shredded block; I've never had that happen to me (knock on wood).

Cheryl Arkison said...

Oh, what an ordeal! I'm sure Jon will love it. Make sure to document the story on the label or elsewhere.
PS Congratulations, Mom, on an obviously good son!

Christina Lane | The Sometimes Crafter said...

Eek! Top agitator? I just about refuse to do any laundry at my house since we have one. I bring it to my moms front loader if its very special (or delicate). I've already lost shirts this way, and i'm terrified of just this happening to me. I'm so glad you could repair it. You can't even tell anything happened. It looks great and he will always cherish it.

Dorrie said...

Jacquie the quilt came out wonderfully! It's so great and I'm sure Jon will just love it. And what a story to go along with. . . wow! That's one for the ol' quilt journal.

Amber said...

The quilt is absolutely beautiful Jacquie - it must have been so hard to take it out of the washer and see that. You are a great mom for persevering through it and finishing it for him. It's just amazing - I love, love, love the design - perfect! I'm so excited for him to see it too :-)
Congratulations to Jon!

connie said...

Oh, I love how it turned out... I admire your perserverance (sp?). It is wonderful and congratulations to Jon. It is such fun to watch your children grow and succeed.

Enjoy!

Aimee said...

oh, how heartbreaking! But the end result is beautiful. Congrats to your son on his achievement!

angelabe said...

Veramente molto bello. Complimenti!

Kelly O. said...

he will love it!

dutchcomfort said...

Wow Jacquie! The quilt is stunning and the story adds even a lot extra to this quilt!

Congratulations with Jon’s graduation!

Marie' said...

My favorite quilt you have made. Congratulations.

ellen said...

I am a bit teary eyed here...looking at the beauty of the quilt, and hearing the pride and love in our voice for such a wonderful son. (two wonderful sons) Oh, happy day full of hope and joy.

Sara said...

It is a beautiful quilt! I love the colors of it!

Congratulations to Jon and Ben!

Andi said...

What an incredible effort.
i'm sure jon will appreciate it.
Congratulations all round.
Andi :-)

Alissa said...

The quilt came out AMAZINGLY!!! It's so so so great. I'm sure he loved it, right?? And congrats all around for the graduation and turning 20!!

bonnie said...

just amazing. your quilt is beautiful and your recovery block is fantastic. you do awesome work. also, congrats on your son's graduation. i am sure listening to your son's speech was a very special moment.

Barbara Strobel Lardon said...

Well the comments you have received have said it all.

Congratulations! A beautiful quilt and a wonderful son.

A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

Congratulations to Jon! The quilt is fantastic and makes the perfect graduation gift!

shellysquilts said...

J, The only thing better than a quilt made with love, is one made with love with a great story to go with it. Looks like you've got alot to be proud of my friend. Congratulations and well done!!

Red Pepper Quilts - Rita Hodge said...

Wow! What an amazing quilt, and such a huge amount of work! You've got every reason to be proud of this work, and also your son!

meg said...

This quilt is amazing; really terrific. The colors, the fabric choice -- everything -- great. And you re-did it! That may be the most amazing part of all: that you didn't set fire to it once it had been almost ruined in the wash. Your patience certainly paid off, and I'm sure your boy will treasure it.

Needled Mom said...

And what a story it will be!!!! It looks gorgeous now and one would never know the problems.

Rose said...

It's beautiful! Congratulations on your son's graduation, what a milestone. I'm sure he'll treasure the quilt for years to come.

Laurie said...

STUNNING Jacquie...i just love your work!
laurie

Angie said...

LOVE it. The way you set the blocks is really great. It has a clean, masculine feel. Beautiful.

Shari said...

The road to a great quilt if often rocky and full of mishaps. It is a testament to continue to the end. A wonderful quilt with a great story that will be loved and cherished for a lifetime. You have a wonderful family...

Hugs - Shari

Melanie O said...

Wow - I absolutely love the quilt! It is stunning! Congratulations on your son's graduation, you must be so proud!

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

Oh you did it and yes it was worth it stunning and all the best to Jon!

Alice Grace said...

Congratulations to Jon! And to you for creating that absolutely fabulous quilt for him! What an effort, and I am sure he will cherish it forever!

Karen said...

Congrats to Jon. What a lucky son to have a mother that would go to all that work. The quilt turned out fantastic!

Bekhy said...

Congratulations Jon, on graduating, and the great speech! The quilt is absolutely fabulouse, Jacquie! I love the way you set the blocks, the quilt top is a beautiful composition.

becca said...

the quilt is amazing!! and sounds like your family is too! Congrats!!!

sewtakeahike said...

Jacquie, I love your perserverence!! It really turned out fabulous and I'm sure he will absolutely love it. What a story this quilt has!

KateKwiltz said...

Jacquie, it's beautiful...and incredibly special. Great quilt!

Patty said...

The quilt turned out so perfect! Your son is going to treasure it.

Sequana said...

I can't even begin to think how you must have felt, seeing that destroyed block. It brings to mind something tho - I always tell people that when they wash any of my quilts not to use agitation, just let them soak and then spin. I know it's more trouble, but maybe that would keep them safer?

What a gorgeous, beautiful quilt this is!!! Jon's a lucky man.

Judy S. said...

Jon's a lucky guy! I would love to have seen his face when he first saw it. Nice work, Jacquie, and thanks for sharing the story!

Stephanie D said...

What a nicely masculine quilt! I'll bet he loves it. And what a story behind it!

Congrats to all!

Unknown said...

What a great weekend! His quilt is amazing! I love the blocky feel with the panels of solid - perfectly modern quilting too :) Sad that the block was ruined, but I can't tell looking at it now!

audreypawdrey said...

Congratulations on the graduation! The quilt is gorgeous and I can't believe you had to replace a block. You can't even tell that you had to redo it; I know that wasn't fun. Beautiful job!

Jen said...

Gorgeous quilt as always! Jon is very lucky.

And I'm so glad you were able to repair it! Honestly, I would have cried, then gotten mad, put it away and would not have looked at it for at least a month.

Nanette Merrill said...

It is a happy ending, though painful. I am glad you worked through it. Proud of you! Good for your graduate. Tonight is graduation here. All is well that ends well I suppose.

Ruth's Place said...

It's turned out beautifully!

Amanda Jean said...

congrats to jon on his graduation! good for you for saving his quilt!

MightyMom said...

looks great!

Philigry said...

that is such a great wuilt. it sounds like a great graduation, with lots of family time.

Deirdre said...

I am in love with this quilt! So simple, love the colors! It gives me a whole new obsession with the Lush line, golly...

Anonymous said...

I am sure he is thrilled with the quilt and the sentiment with grow with him though out the years.

I thought of you many times today, as we peacefully put down our dog this evening.

bellsjo said...

This is a real work of art to be treasured forever - you can tell it has been made with so much love!

Allie said...

It turned out fabulous! Congrats!

Chookyblue...... said...

lovely quilt.........congrats to your son......

Jennifer said...

Congratulations! You guys must be so proud!

I love the quilt, and I bet he does too. You are such a thoughtful mama. :~)

QuiltedSimple said...

Jon's quilt is wonderful! You did an amazing job!
Kris

jackie said...

I got goosebumps reading about his speech! Yes, I can see we are both in the blues about our boys becoming men, even though we know it's the way of things. But look at what he leaves the nest with, a gorgeous quilt made with just him in mind. To know that both literally and figuratively he is wrapped in all of your love!
p.s. when are the dates of your quilt show? - because if I have some free time I'm hoping to drive up and check it all out!