I decided years ago that I wanted to make my son a quilt for high school graduation.
He was about 5 years old (yesterday) when I saw a quilt made by a girl and her mom when she was a senior in high school. It was made of all of her team shirts as she grew up.
Thing One has always been an athlete.
He loves to play and tried many sports throughout the years, he has lots of team and camp shirts.
They lived in a bag in the back of his closet wondering if they would ever be freed from their bondage. A month or so ago I released them and started cutting.
There were t-shirts, jackets, and sweat shirts involved.
Looking at these pictures I can see that I missed many of them.
I'm not much of a seamstress. And the more I learn about true quilting the more I realize that I am just not enough of a perfectionist to be truly successful. (Sad as it is, I just don't care enough)
So, when I saw this type of quilt I thought it just might work. The quilting and layering are all done one piece at a time, then when you sew them together the rough edges are on the outside.
Honestly, I love the outcome. The back is flannel and I used red polar fleece on the inside. It is snugly, warm and a fun display of the wonderful life I am watching enter it's next phase.
High School Graduation is in two days. I was excited until this moment.
When I typed 'next phase' I got a pit in my stomach. What will my world be like in three months when this boy who has been my buddy for almost 19 years steps out the door as a man on his own?
Why didn't anyone ever warn me how much it can hurt to love this much?
I decided years ago that I wanted to make my son a quilt for high school graduation. 
He was about 5 years old (yesterday) when I saw a quilt made by a girl and her mom when she was a senior in high school. It was made of all of her team shirts as she grew up.
Thing One has always been an athlete. 
He loves to play and tried many sports throughout the years, he has lots of team and camp shirts.
They lived in a bag in the back of his closet wondering if they would ever be freed from their bondage. A month or so ago I released them and started cutting. 
There were t-shirts, jackets, and sweat shirts involved. 
Looking at these pictures I can see that I missed many of them.
I'm not much of a seamstress. And the more I learn about true quilting the more I realize that I am just not enough of a perfectionist to be truly successful. (Sad as it is, I just don't care enough)
So, when I saw this type of quilt I thought it just might work. The quilting and layering are all done one piece at a time, then when you sew them together the rough edges are on the outside.
Honestly, I love the outcome. The back is flannel and I used red polar fleece on the inside. It is snugly, warm and a fun display of the wonderful life I am watching enter it's next phase.
High School Graduation is in two days. I was excited until this moment. 
When I typed 'next phase' I got a pit in my stomach. What will my world be like in three months when this boy who has been my buddy for almost 19 years steps out the door as a man on his own?
Why didn't anyone ever warn me how much it can hurt to love this much?
11 comments:
Jenny-Jenny--I was so excited to see your comment on my blog that I hurried to read yours. I have missed your postings. I was about to send you a note saying Jenny-Jenny Where Are You? :-)
I love the quilt!! My sister did that for all her daughters as well. Very cute. And I know about the pain of having a child graduate and leave home. My fourth will be going to BYU this fall! I am going to be so sad to have her gone. But I promise there are other joys to be found as they go on missions, marry etc. It is just not ever the same. Good luck at his graduation. Take tissues!!
Jenny you made me cry. I know my babies are only 1 and 2 years old right now but I have heard my own mother say over and over that is seems just like yesterday, and now my baby sister just graduated from high school and will soon be on her way in the "next phase." I think we are supposed to learn for ourselves how much it hurts to love someone this much. I will try not to blink as much and hopefully I can hold on to these precious moments a little longer.
I learned that the best lessons are learned the hard way. I can't consult you on how hard it is since I have no children. But I am sure my mother can tell you how wonderful it really is since she can dismiss satan's favorite child every few months. lol He will do great things don't worry Jenny ;)
Oh man... you really got me with that one... What a cutie! I can't imagine the emotions of sending him off. The blanket was awesome! What a great mom!
Dang, I'm weeping all over the key board. I hope no one else sees. As far as you know it wasn't me. It's weird how slowly and quickly they grow up.
Thanks for making me cry! I love the quilt, those frayed edge ones are some of the cutest ones around! Okay maybe cute isn't the right word for a boy's quilt, but I really love how it turned out!
what a beautiful keepsake - he will treasure it for years - and so will you. crying with you on this end - oh where does the time go to?
Awww, Jenny. How bittersweet. Hugs to you and what a beatiful job on that quilt! You should include the vest you made eventually too since that was Thing One's graduation prom vest.
Looks like you did a beautiful job on your kids too.
Ouch...this post killed me. My oldest is years away from this point, but I also know just how fast those years are going to go screaming by.
On the quilt: (VERY cool!) Did you have the cute the squares using something special? I tried doing this years ago using favorite baby clothes and the squares got all bunched weird when I went to sew them together.
(Another ps: Thanks for your words on that one post....you know. I really appreciated it.)
I'm so proud of you!! It is one of the hardest things to see your oldest graduate from high school, and the others, and the last! The quilt is great -- what a fantastic idea!! It's beautiful! If he goes to Russia, can he take it with him?
Beautiful quilt and a beautiful post.
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