Recently my 13 year old Emmalie has been stitching up a storm making gifts for friends. I asked her a few questions that I could then share here with you! We started making quilt-as-you-go log cabin pillows a few years back, but for Emmalie it has definitely evolved into something more. Let’s have a look:
Emmalie’s words:
I make pillows for my friends birthday presents. When their birthday comes around I just ask them their three favorite colors then start looking for pieces of fabric that I think they would like.
I do improv piecing partially because I like it better than the quilt as you go i’d originally used. Also because I like the look better, and I think it just lets you add more.
I started making pillows because I didn’t know what to get one of my friends for her birthday. My mother suggested it, and I decided to just go with it. She liked it a lot and so when another birthday came up I made another one, and so forth.
I like a lot of the pillows I have made recently, in February 2016, (above) I made a pillow for one of my friends that I really liked, the middle of the pillow was all improv piecing, and then it was surrounded with pieces like the quilt as you go. But any of the pillows I made after that I liked.
As you can see she pulls any fabric that she likes, and the scrap bin really comes in handy with these pillow projects. I try to be as hands off in the process for Emmalie, and just let her create – I don’t want her to be bogged down by the way I do things, or any perceived rules. I help when she needs it, of course, but try to just let her creativity shine! For Emmalie the process is very intuitive, and not rushed — I love seeing what she creates!
Happy Quilting –
Amy
Way to go, Emmalie! Your fabric choices and your designs are terrific. You’ve got some really lucky friends :)
What fun to see Emmalie’s great work. She does a great job with those pillows and her descriptions on her technique are perfect. Thank you!
Hat’s off to you Emmalie! Your friends are sew lucky. I taught my granddaughter to sew and we share a smile every time she snuggles under her quilt.
judieharron@yahoo.com
Great work Emmalie. You have quite an eye for colour.
Yay Emmalie!! I love what she’s doing. Just wondering, do you help her with the rotary cutter or does she use scissors? Not sure when I want to introduce the rotary to my granddaughter.
Hi Tanya! I slowly let her start using the rotary cutter, around 12 years old, at first with a lot of supervision, and now I trust her to not hurt herself. Occasionally I walk by to make sure the blade is closed :)