Pages

Saturday, November 27, 2010

A Rag Quilt for Mac


When Mac went to university last year he took an old quilt that we had used on our master bed in years past. While there was nothing wrong with it, it's actually queen-size, and he doubles it up to fit his twin-size dorm bed. I've been looking for a different quilt or comforter for him for quite some time now. 

The day of Verne's accident, Mac was pretty shook up, wanting to come home. We assured him that Verne was going to be fine, and advised him to stay put. Despite talking several times that day, and even video chatting, he was still longing for home. The next day I had a message on my Facebook wall. "I need a hug. Can you mail me one or something?"

That did it. I decided I'd make a quilt that he could wrap up in when he needed a hug from his mom. I searched for flannel in Kelly Green (his favorite color) but came up empty handed, and settled for denim, hunter green, and green and blue watch plaid. 


For fun, I cut up some old jeans that had belonged to Mac and used the back pockets in the quilt. So, in between doctor appointments, cross country meets, and basketball practices, I've been cutting and sewing over the past week and a half. He was pretty happy with the surprise when he came home for Thanksgiving break. It's freshly laundered and ready to make it's way back to his college dorm on Monday. I'm dreading his departure already. Thankfully, Christmas break is right around the corner.

16 comments:

  1. Oh, I love it! Something about blue and green plaid always seems cozy to me.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Neat idea, I like the pockets! Perfect for a man quilt. Enjoy your day!

    ReplyDelete
  3. It is perfect! Just the thing he needed! And oh, I love the fabrics together, including the jean pockets!

    You are so talented!

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is perfect Tracy!! The blues and greens look so cozy together and just thinking of sending a *hug* back to college with him is delightful :o)

    ReplyDelete
  5. darlin! the perfect thing from momma :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. mac is a lucky young man to have a mother who loves and tends to his needs. what a gift.

    ReplyDelete
  7. It turned out beautiful, Tracy! What a wonderful gift.

    ReplyDelete
  8. You are amazing!
    I love this idea and that you made this in the midst of all the worry and concern you had....
    makes it all the more special.
    Memories of God's mercy in your lives.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh that is one great quilt! Gotta love those rag 'babies'!

    ReplyDelete
  10. This is beautiful. Our daughter is going off to college next year. She has been wanting a bedspread. She loves blue and brown.

    May I ask what size you cut the blocks before you sewed them?

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Kay,

    I don't remember exactly what size the blocks were, but I'm thinking 9 inches. Since you use a 1/2 inch seam allowance on a rag quilt, that would leave you with a finished 8 inch square.

    ReplyDelete
  12. What a beautiful "hug." I have been wanting to make a quilt similar to that. Did you use single thickness or did you put anything on the back of each square before sewing them together?

    ReplyDelete
  13. Go Lucky Mama, I used flannel on the back of each square ,as well as what you see on the front, so each square is two thicknesses.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love that!!! You did a terrific job! Is it 3 layers or just two?

    ReplyDelete
  15. ZeedleBeez, The quilt is just two layers. It's very thick and heavy with the denim and flannel.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thanks, Tracy! This may be just the pattern I have been looking for. My fantastic grandson, age 9, is Autistic and his mom, my wonderful daughter, says he could benefit from a heavy quilt. ( helps keep him calm and comforted) I have old jeans from his mom, dad, sister grandpa and me. I just need to know how you finished the edges. I am a novice sewer and don't know all the quilting techniques. Thanks for amy help you might give this grateful grammie!

    ReplyDelete