Released August 21, 2009
by Gina RobersonLast year around Christmas time I made so many gifts for other people with my embroidery machine. There’s no present you can go out and buy that says, “I love you” like something you’ve made yourself and customized with an embroidery machine.
After I finished with everyone’s customized Christmas gifts, I decided to make something for myself. I don’t know about other “Sewers” out there, but it seems like we never take time out to make something for ourselves! So I was excited about this idea of making a wall hanging to hang on my back door to welcome people to my house for the Christmas season.
On the SiCK website I found a beautiful set entitled “Whimsical Christmas” It is just too cute:
http://www.designsbysick.com/details/whimsicalchristmas
So I went and bought some shiny blue fabric that looked as if it had silver glitter throughout it and embroidered several of the designs from that set onto some blocks. I then took a block and wrote out our last name “Roberson” and added some more of the designs, placing them as if they were hanging off of the letters. They all turned out so cute.
Then I cut out some blocks of different fabrics, and some strips of fabric, and just started sewing them all together. The best part of making the little hanging was that I got to use my imagination. Since it is your own creation you can make it however you want to, there is wrong or right way! This also led to my craving to learn to make quilt tops as well.
When I finished with it, my mother-in-law helped show me how to sandwich the hanging, the filling, and a back all together and then to sew around each block individually so as to connect the layers. I was a bit nervous regarding this step because I had never done anything like that before. But it didn’t take long to get the hang of it. I even used pins to pin it all together first so that I wouldn’t get a pucker in it (since to a more experienced quilter this would be no big deal).
When I got through with it, I added a bit of Christmas looking rope to the back left and the back right with a loop at the top to hang it by. I got so many compliments by everyone who came by to see us at Christmas about the hanging. They wanted to know where I got it and I was able to tell them that I made it!
This year while you’re very BUSY making things for everyone you have on your list, don’t forget to take time and make yourself something special too! We ladies rarely think about ourselves, but I can’t wait for Christmas to come this year so I can get to hang up my special Christmas hanging again and enjoy it!
It looks like a lovely hanging. I have been doing this for a year now and still haven’t made anything for myself. My mother in law keeps me pretty busy by sending business my way, bless her heart.
Comment by Grandma Shari — August 21, 2009 @ 11:55 am
Your wall hanging looks great. I know what you are talking about. I have made a number of projects for other people and the only table runner that I have made for myself is still waiting to be quilted. I am going to a 4-day sewing retreat in November and hopefully I can get some of “my” sewing done. I also have an embroidery machine and for my daughter’s Christmas present last year I made her Jenny Haskin’s Moulin Rouge embroidery quilt. It turned out better than I ever would have dreamed.
Comment by Verna McCallen — August 21, 2009 @ 8:48 pm
What a beautiful wall hanging!! I agree, we tend to forget to make things for ourselves. But you definately have a winner.
Comment by Chris MN — August 21, 2009 @ 9:04 pm
Really cute. I love it when they post these little stories. I have the CDs and I may never have noticed this set if it weren’t for cute litle quilt. Thank you
Blessins’from Ky
Terri
Comment by Terri Beck — August 21, 2009 @ 10:35 pm
very cute - good idea! I like the whimsical designs especially. Thanks for sharing.
It’s true that we don’t do for ourselves enough and that we don’t have pictures of things ….
Comment by Hagrids mom — August 21, 2009 @ 10:51 pm
First time for a ;little quilt? Great job! You’re so right..I have a list of things to make for myself, and never seem to get to it. This year I’m gonna do it!
Comment by Diane — August 22, 2009 @ 7:44 am
What a beautiful project, with alot of fun. Your colors are wonderful, love the rickrack trim.great job, happy xmas!
Comment by sandra — August 22, 2009 @ 7:53 am
what a lovely idea–I know a couple that use their RV for almost year round and they love to decorate for the holidays. banners are awesome since they don’t take much space and can be personalized just as you have shown. Way to go on your first quilting project!!!
Comment by stephanie — August 22, 2009 @ 12:38 pm
Your doorhangingis wonderful. Very creative and festive!
Comment by AMY ANSON — August 22, 2009 @ 4:14 pm
Pretty cute… Lovely
Comment by Jolene — August 22, 2009 @ 4:25 pm
Hello Gina,
I think you did a wonderful job on your wall hanging and now I am inspired to make one too! These designs you picked are just so cute and that will be the hard part for me…so many great ones to choose from here. I love this site and enjoy being a member. Good luck to you and thanks again for a great idea, hugs and blessings, Penny
Comment by Penny DuBose — August 22, 2009 @ 9:25 pm
Dear Gina,
Thank you so much for posting this lovely article. I, too, am guilty of never making anything for myself, but your idea is wonderful, so I am going to make my own door hanging to welcome visitors. This will also be the first Christmas in 3 years that we will be able to put up a full size Christmas tree (we have been living in our RV) but we just moved into a luxurious apartment on the fourth floor, with the most wonderful view, so I am going to make lots of fsl ornaments for my Christmas tree. I made 3oo last year for other people.
Love and Prayers,
Cindy
Comment by Cindy — August 22, 2009 @ 10:58 pm
Love the wallhanging. Thanks for the idea.
Comment by Joyce — August 23, 2009 @ 8:00 am
Inspirational. . . and very, very sweet!!
Comment by hark — August 23, 2009 @ 10:39 am
It looks wonderful and sounds like you really enjoyed making it. Keep up the good work and ENJOY!!!!!
Comment by Deanna — August 23, 2009 @ 3:20 pm
Gina,
I love the wall hanging. And you are so right.. We need to take a little time to make something for ourselves..
Love the Whimsical designs by sick.. they are so pretty..
Enjoy your wall hanging.Judy
Comment by Judy — August 23, 2009 @ 8:44 pm
Hi Gina
It looks great. Well done. And thank you, for the reminder on doing something for ourselves.
Love
Erika
Comment by Erika — August 24, 2009 @ 7:38 am
So cute! I love quilting too, love to sit and piece it together and have the reward of the beautiful finished work. Keep it up
Comment by Sharlyn — August 24, 2009 @ 7:22 pm
Gina, Good idea. I like your door hanging! It’s so happy. You have inspired me. I’ve never done a door hanging before. Bonnie
Comment by Bonnie — August 26, 2009 @ 1:58 pm
Very nice. If you are anything like me now you are bitten by the quilting bug as well. My first quilt was made just about the same way except it was for a baby. Keep up the good work.
Comment by Linda — August 26, 2009 @ 4:55 pm
Very cute idea. I needed some ideas for xnas
stuff.
Comment by Azella — September 7, 2009 @ 10:23 am
Good job! I am just as guilty as everyone else LOL. Never make time for myself. Glad you did it. Enjoy Mary
Comment by Mary Irish — September 23, 2009 @ 8:09 am
Good job! I am just as guilty as everyone else LOL. Never make time for myself. Glad you did it. Enjoy Mary
Comment by Mary Irish — September 23, 2009 @ 8:09 am