Soon after Silas was born, Gabe mentioned that he would like to make a quilt for his first birthday. Keats and I had sewn one for Beatrix’s first, and Gabe wanted to do the same for his new baby brother. Even with an entire year to prepare for it, I did not manage to pull it together in time for Silas’ birthday. I finally applied myself and found fabric that I knew Gabe would like (and on sale too) a few weeks ago and ordered it. Every day he would ask when we would make the quilt. Finally this past weekend I made a list of things that I wanted to accomplish and the quilt was one of them.
We began with six fat quarters. Rather than doing any cutting, I just helped Gabe sew them together, two at a time. I know next to nothing about quilting and between that and the fact that Gabe has very little machine sewing experience, I kept things simple.
Then I cut each of the three pieces in half, making them different lengths. We laid them out on the table, and then Gabe sewed them all together.
I put the quilt together and sewed it up late that night (I opted not to bind this one-just sewed all three layers together and then turned it.) Gabe and I worked together to hand tie the quilt the next day.
The story behind this photo and Gabe’s smile: Jonny popped inside for a minute and started teasing Gabe about making a quilt. He was only joking, and confessed that he thinks quilting is awesome. Back when we were in college, I remember Jonny spending a birthday check one year on a bunch of fat quarters and quilting tools. He carefully cut a huge pile of 4 x 4 inch squares, but then got distracted and never made his quilt.
(quilt backing fabric HERE.)
I think Gabe is proud of his quilt. I am always proud of him.
LOVE. That pretty much sums it up.
Best–Quilt–Ever. Please tell Gabe I said that.
Beautiful quilt, beautiful family! You are a fabulous mother!
What a lovely present for a little brother. That guy is lucky!
Ginny, Honestly, this is so darn sweet. I can only hope my children will have the desire to do the same for each other when they are a little older. There has been a wee bit too much rivalry around here but I know the love resides inside, ready to bubble over when needed. Thanks for sharing this post…your Gabe is a sweet, sweet soul.
xo Jules
Oh Ginny! This made me cry, for so many reasons…sweet, sweet, sweet!
Such a beautiful post, everything about it. Thanks for sharing.
What a thoughtful brother and precious gift!
Just found your blog yesterday and wanted to say that this post really touched my heart this morning. What a sweet big brother. What a precious memory! Love your photos too. 🙂
Just found your blog yesterday and wanted to say that this post really touched my heart. What a sweet big brother. What a precious memory! Love your photos too. 🙂
I am so glad you are back 🙂 (I know, it was only 4 days, but still. I was a little worried.) You keep inspiring me, Ginny. Thanks for sharing your real, beautiful family life.
That’s my kind of quilting! It’s beautiful.
What a sweet, brotherly gesture! Lovely quilt, too! Gabe did a fantastic job!
That’s a beautiful labor of love. Great job, Gabe!
Beautiful job, Gabe!
Beautiful quilt! Gabe did an excellent job :-).
I have been lurking at your place here for a little while and I just love it…so I nominated you for a little award back at my place. Thank you for sharing your beautiful life!
http://smalltownsimplicity.blogspot.com/2012/06/blog-awards.html
I think is such a great project, and he seams very happy.
Oh my goodness! What a darling post – and 2 darling children. This inspires me to pull out my sewing machine (my mother gave me a new one right before we adopted our son and I have never learned how to use this model) out and read those directions and let my 10 year old son have some creative fun. Anything that is a machine is OK by him! Thanks for sharing! And hugs for the kids!
Beautiful. How wonderful that he wants to show love for his sibling and willing to work hard for it. And Silas will always know the love that went into his quilt.
What a beautiful post. You can see the love that Gabe has for his baby brother. The quilt turned out so well. You should be proud, Gabe…Balisha
How very sweet! I love the photos in this post. They capture the experience and feelings so well.
Your story of Gabe and the quilt for Silas was a perfect was to start the day. Thank you for sharing this and all of your stories. Gabe, I am 53 and have always wanted to make a quilt. You have inspired me!
This was beautiful, Ginny…love all the Gabe & Silas photos.
Gabe is getting to look like quite a young man these days!
Beautiful… your family, your son, your baby, that quilt… this story… all of it.
I won’t lie when I say reading this brought a smile to my face and tears to my eyes. It’s not very often you see a family love so hard these days.
That is beautiful
Oh, such love in that. Just beautiful.
Beautiful! Awesome, awesome job Gabe! I love it.
Wow! Gabe did a fantastic job and he is such a thoughtful big brother.
Gosh. Ginny, you have such an amazing family. (:
amazing job! amazing boy! (amazing post!!)
This is one of the sweetest stories ever! What a wonderful way of showing love to another family member. Gabe, you rock!
The pride on Gabe’s face is a wonderous thing! He sure does love his brother-you can tell in that grin. Ginny, your family is full of surprises(good ones) and so very blessed to have one another.
This has got to be one of the sweetest things I have ever seen. What a beautiful family you have.
Too stinking cute!! What nice boys you have!
Very, very precious! Gabe’s ability to concentrate is what amazes me the most! Just lovely! I would love for my boys to want to make a quilt… I am happy settling for cubby’s in the forest and painting with water-colours! xx Rach
I always love seeing big brother taking care of /helping/ playing with/delighting in little brother. So sweet. And yay to Gabe (and you) for making the quilt. What an accomplishment!
Oh was a special gift. I love it so much.
Well a big brother giving his younger sibling loving always warms my heart.
But Silas and Gabe are even more precious, because I’ve been reading since both of them joined your family and they are beautiful.
oxox
The fact that a young man Gabe’s age wanted to sit down and make a quilt for his baby brother, absolutely priceless. I know you’re so proud of the kind, warm and thoughtful young man that you are raising and Silas will have such good role models in all of his older brothers to look up to! You are such a good mom to constantly nurture and encourage your children’s interests. Again, priceless!
I’m teary-eyed! You have a special family. +JMJ+
That is simply awesome. If I have boys, I surely do hope that things like quilting will be on their to-do lists. =]
Aww…I love, love, love that last shot! What a fabulous big brother Gabe is! I know they will both cherish this memory for years to come. <3
That is such a lovely gift! I can’t believe all the hard work Gabe put in to make such a lovely quilt, you must be really proud of him 🙂
That is so wonderful! And something Silas will cherish forever, how nice!
Such nice pics of handsome Gabe – and wow, what an amazing gift he gave his baby brother! You did a fabulous job, Gabe. I bet your dad is jealous you actually got to finish the quilt you were making!
Aw! He should be proud! What a sweet brother.
The quilt looks great! and I have a lot of quilt experience. As you stated the most important part of quilt making is the LOVE that is put into it 🙂
What a lovely idea, and the result as well! Good job, Gabriel! (and you too, Ginny!)
Brotherly love! So awesome. The quilt turned out great. I’m sure it will be loved for many years. Congrats to Gabe.
Oh Ginny, this is such a beautiful post! How special that Gabe wanted to make this lovely quilt for his little brother.
I love the fabric and all the planning that was invloved.
You must be so proud of Gabe
Wishing you a wonderful week
Linda
What a sweet gift! You and Gabe did a fantastic job.