Everyone says it is very hard to surprise me, and when someone manages to do so, they think it's cause for celebration. "We actually surprised Mom!" Funny.
That happened this past Christmas when one lone remaining gift bag under the tree was pulled out with my name on it. "What could this be?" I wondered. Definitely it was something I had no suspicion about. Hmm...
Inside the gift bag I found this beautiful Federal Star Throw I had seen advertised in Thomas Jefferson's Monticello catalog that arrived during the fill-the-mailbox-with-every-catalog-known-to-man season. Browsing through the pages, I spotted the patriotic throw and commented to Hannah how pretty it was, never dreaming I could own one.
~Deb
So here's how I went about surprising Mom...After hearing her remark on this quilted throw (in addition to knowing she likes anything that's red/white/and blue), I looked at the photo in the catalog and thought, "I could make that!" Or try at least! The throw would be 50"x60", and I would need to make up the quilting patterns myself. The designs included wavy lines, floral emblems, and a diamond-paned center.
So, in the beginning of December when we girls visited the quilt shop, I picked out some navy and burgundy fabric while Mom was occupied. Sarah had it cut and purchased it for me so I could help Mom with her browsing, and she wouldn't suspect. Later, Sarah and I drove to a different quilt shop to get the muslin and thread I needed to get started.
Then I came down with pneumonia and really started to doubt that I'd be able to complete this project. After coming out of the worst part of the sickness, I had to get down to business! When Mom went out shopping, Sarah brought my sewing machine and a table to my room so that I could get some sewing time in. I took every chance I could to sew when Mom wasn't around to hear the noise of the machine going as fast as it could. :) I was hoping she would need to go out on more errands! But I had to put it away after each time, table and all, or else she'd see it when coming into my room, as I was still quarantined. Several times I would sew at night or early morning on top of my hope chest, hoping she wouldn't be able to hear the noise of the machine. You can see how hard it was to keep it a secret.
Thankfully, the Saturday before Christmas I got 5-6 good hours of sewing in while Mom was picking up relatives. Dad bought more thread for me while he was out, and Sarah helped me with some final chores before company arrived! I had to start hand-sewing the binding at night before the actual quilting was completely finished. The final stitches of the quilted star throw were put in on Christmas Eve, just in the nick of time!
~Hannah
Oh that quilt is simply gorgeous!!! Love it!
Posted by: Connie W | Monday, January 14, 2008 at 05:51 PM
That is absolutely stunning and the story behind it was good, too. :-D
Posted by: Ginny | Monday, January 14, 2008 at 05:56 PM
Oh how SWEET!!!! I love special family surprises, what a fun story...especially about carting the machine to your room! :) The quilt is just beautiful...do you take orders?! :) I'd settle for the patterns! Nice job Hannah! Can't wait to see it in person. OH!... glad you are better, although I heard you all came down with the sniffles again! :(
Posted by: Chris | Monday, January 14, 2008 at 07:43 PM
That is really nice. I love anything patriotic!
Posted by: Nicholas Z. Cardot | Monday, January 14, 2008 at 08:21 PM
Wow Hannah!! That was amazing and the quilt looks beautiful!! Next time we all visit please bring it so I can see it up close! Hope to see you all soon!
Joanna
Posted by: Joanna | Monday, January 14, 2008 at 10:47 PM
What a sweet surprise!!!! Deb, I know that quilt means the world to you, and Hannah . . . what a blessing you are to work so hard on a surprise like that coming out of pneumonia! Great family surprise for Mom!
Posted by: Susan | Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at 12:52 AM
What a neat surprise!Beautiful quilt.
Posted by: Tammy | Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at 06:57 AM
Oh my! This is amazing! I posted a picture of the one I made my mom, but truly, yours puts mine to shame (I did squares...and I say that flatly because that is all I know how to do!) I LOVE yours! It is beautiful.
Posted by: Tracy | Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at 08:56 AM
Hannah!
What love I see in that quilt! Your Mom is a blessed Momma to have a daughter like you!
It is truly gorgeous!
Posted by: Wagner Family | Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at 10:39 AM
It is just beautiful! What a labor of love!
Posted by: Dorothy | Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at 11:03 AM
what a wonderful surprise and the quilt is just beautiful!
Posted by: Cindi | Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at 02:55 PM
Wow, that is so beautiful, Hannah! I can't wait to see it "for real"! The story behind the quilt- with your sickness, and rushing to finish in time, and your sweet sister being there to help you along each step of the way will always be a special memory for you!!!
Posted by: Meredith | Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at 03:52 PM
What a beautiful quilt and story. You did a wonderful job, Hannah. I can just imagine your children cuddled up in this quilt and hearing the story about the day Grandma got a surprise! What an heirloom. Thanks for sharing. (Be sure to sign and date your quilt!)
Posted by: kathie | Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at 05:13 PM
Such a lovely quilt - and sewn with such love!
Posted by: Islandsparrow | Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at 07:38 PM
Beautiful!!!!
Posted by: Morgan | Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at 11:42 PM
Wow Hannah! What a gorgeous quilt. You did a great job. You're a wonderful daughter.
Posted by: Susan Ramey Cleveland | Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at 05:13 PM
Hannah! What a girl! I had to shed a tear when I read your story. Your mother has a real treasure--the quilt and the daughter who made it! :)
Posted by: Aunt Rhonda | Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at 07:56 PM
Thank you all, for your compliments on the quilt--I'm still not believing that it's actually finished. :) But my prayers were answered. And Mom deserved a surprise!
She will, I'm sure, want to bring it when we see some of you in person; just overlook my rushed and jagged stitching. I discovered that a walking foot does not work for curved quilting! I needed to use my free motion foot.
Mrs.O, well, the patterns are in my head, but I'd be happy to draw them out for you!:)
Kathi, thank you for the reminder to sign and date the quilt--I have not done that yet!
Posted by: hannah | Friday, January 18, 2008 at 04:30 PM
Wow! That is amazing, Hannah. It is a blessing to hear of how you took so much trouble to give your Mum a lovely gift.
Belated happy birthday to you as well!
Posted by: Sherrin | Saturday, January 19, 2008 at 05:00 AM