Katherine's Dress Quilt

This was my very first quilt. It was completed in August of 2002. A patchwork made up of material that I used for my daughter Katherine's dresses from the time she was a baby until she was twelve. Acutally almost twelve. I made so many play dresses over those years. I counted once...32 maybe? Also included in this quilt are nightgowns and Halloween costumes. There is one fabric that actually never made it to a dress. Was cut out and never put together. That was towards the end of her wearing handmade dresses to school. We have our favorites and our stories. The ones with the button pockets and the dress that she tore like three times. Christmas dresses, summer dresses, fall dresses. All special. I truly loved those days.

When I made this quilt, I didn't know anything about quilting. Someone, I have no idea who, told me about a way to 'cheat' making a quilt. And that is how this one was born. I cut all the squares (by hand I am sure....long before I had a rotary cutter). The squares were laid on a piece of Quilt Top Express (June Tailor) fusible web. Ironed on and then folded and machine sewn. Simple. But....I did hand quilt the entire thing and I love the look....espcially the back as it has that whole cloth appeal to it. It is just bound in bias tape. For over six years now, it has been on my daughter's bed and even went to college with her. Everytime I see it, I remember those dresses and let myself relive those days of Katherine's childhood.

**Updated 3/10/12.   A few years ago, computer says June 2009, I created a little doll quilt to match Katherine's dress quilt.  Made from all the same fabrics and is machine pieced and handquilted.  Fun playing with the familiar fabrics again.