A few weeks ago, when I posted about “Binding Odd Angles”, Barb commented with a question, and it’s a great segue into this week’s post:
“Hi Chris, On the Christmas Hexie you made, did you use 2 1/2 inch strips and how big did it end up when finished. Were you able to get all the cuts out of one width of fabric.
Thanks much.”
In answer: yes, the strips were cut at 2 1/2″ and require 1 strip each of 5 different fabrics. The stripped units were cut into 60 degree triangles, and the topper finishes 20″ from flat side to flat side.
And this week’s post is about those toppers! Last week I shared my dear husband’s encouragement concerning my new sewing machine. This week he has consented to let me share this story and, as my “pins” post from January insinuated, we’re noticing many quirky differences between us now that we’re together so much.
You might remember this photo of the toppers I made at our our December quilt retreat
When we visited friends during the Christmas season, we would gift them a topper with a holiday plant.
The first one we gave was to Brad and Deandra early in the Christmas season. Theirs was made from a contemporary line of Christmas fabrics – I loved the little trees in the black print:
I was so pleased when Deandra placed it in the middle of the kitchen table. Then we had a lovely visit.
The next day Mike asked me if I was disappointed that she placed the quilt upside down on the table. I responded “no she didn’t”. He repeated that she did and we went back and forth a few times before he grabbed one of the remaining toppers and flipped it over saying “this is the Christmas side”.
I burst out laughing and said “you’re just like your mother”. He looked confused and hurt, so I apologized and shared the following story (if it sounds familiar, I do share it in my Quilt Tales lecture).
Years ago (we’re talking the 1990s) we purchased small quilt hangers to give to our parents for Christmas along with a small Christmas quilt. This gift had an ulterior motive since both sets of parents were hard to buy for (like us, they were blessed and didn’t really need anything). I reasoned I could make them wall quilts for their hanger for the different seasons. The next quilts I made for them had a July theme.
I chose to back both quilts with a log cabin cheater cloth,
and sent Mike’s mom’s to her in Iowa as a birthday gift. She called 3 days later to tell me how much she loved the quilt! I believe her exact words were “Dad hung it right away. Those little children are just adorable!”
I guess it was hard for her to tell the front from the back because there was no sleeve and, not being a quilter, she didn’t realize all the work I put into the flag side. So, I took a breath and responded: “I’m so glad you like it” š. We talked a little longer and after I hung up – I laughed out loud. Mike happened to be passing by and asked me why I was laughing at his mom. I told him what happened and he didn’t think it was funny. He said I should call her back and tell her the truth.
My response: “Why? She’s happy”. He rolled his eyes at me and walked away.
Fast forward 27 years. He’s now made the same assumption his mom did, and once again I found it funny. I stopped laughing when he asked me why I was kind to his mom, but couldn’t resist telling him he was wrong. Oops. So I apologized and then it was his turn to laugh. We do like a bit of good natured kidding, and what fun is life if we can’t laugh at ourselves?
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And… to keep you smiling… I’d like to introduce you to the Quilt Sissie’s cousins, the Flat Suzies:
Terri sent me this photograph recently along with their story:
“Hi Chris,
Your story/photo of the “Flat Stanley” dolls was inspiring to me. We have a “birthday group” of 5 ladies. We have been together over 30 years. We all belonged to the same church when we started and are quilters. Now we are spread out in all parts of the county. Most years we gather together to celebrate our birthdays. Of course this year it wasn’t possible. To celebrate a birthday January 30 in Goodman, WI, we each made a “Flat Suzy” and sent them by mail. In how the Lord works, they each arrived in the mail consecutive days (from around the country) leading up to her birthday. She knew nothing of our gathering for her birthday party and was just thrilled! It was so much fun for all of us – planning, sewing; joy, creativity and connecting with one another while not being able to physically be together. Thought others might like to hear how your blog inspired us, and in turn inspire them in these strange times.
The Lord worked through you to bless us. Thank you and the Lord’s continued blessings on you! Love in Jesus,
Terri, Susan, Charlotte, Diana and Diane”
You’re so welcome! Wendy and I are thrilled to have been an inspiration! God’s blessings to each of you too!
Julie Vandermause says
Loved the flat Suzies and loved hearing how we all can relate to your husband saga as we are all isolated with our husbands and laughter is the key for sure. Thanks Chris
Julie
Barb jordan says
Thanks for including me and answering my questions. I plan to make another one for our hostess in Arizona. Love love the flat Sissiās. Great story! Quilters are just the best people!!
Laurie Neubauer says
The Flat Suzy dolls are adorable. And I enjoy your hubby stories. When something like that happens to Dave and I, I always say to him, “there’s never a dull moment in our marriage, aren’t you glad you married me?” lol We’ll be married 56 years in April.
Laurie
Judy says
Your story reminded me of my mother-in-law who was a basic quilter. I admired an Irish chain quilt pattern. I searched for the same fabrics that were pictured on the pattern & asked her to make it. She did , but to my surprise she put the blocks together wrong & it was blah. So I took it all apart thinking I could just rotate the blocks. Well, the blocks werenāt all the same size & J ended up spending many hours trying to make things work & did get it finished, but never again will I take someone elseās work apart & wonder if they noticed. I cringed each time she looked at it & wondered if she noticed! It was not worth it! I should have just been honest & told her but didnāt want to hurt her feelings.
Terry Miller says
Hello Chris,
I have had the same āwrong sideā experience. I made 3 birthday celebration table runners for my 3 daughtersā families. They were made with 3 cupcake squares that were from a Wendy Rieves template. On the back I used a celebrate fabric. It was cute but just a piece of fabric. As I attended birthday parties, I noticed they all had the celebrate side up. At first I didnāt say anything. After a few years, I decided to ask why. They all said that the celebrate side seemed more festive! Now they use the correct side and display them proudly! They had no idea about the difference sides!
Geraldine Sharp says
Not a “wrong” side…it’s reversible.