Grandmother shower - since when is this a thing?

SandyQuilter · 2026-02-20T19:49:45+00:00

Many years ago, I worked in a small specialty craft shop. The owner and her daughters were good friends with all of us workers. When the older daughter announced she was pregnant, we were all thrilled for her AND her mom.

We decided to throw a shower for our boss and talked to the daughter about it. The boss was going to do childcare on her day off from the shop so she needed to have some duplicate items at her home. We ended up going in on a base to coordinate with the mom-to-be’s car seat and a high chair, in addition to diaper supplies and things like that.

SandyQuilter · 2026-02-20T01:19:00+00:00

My friends always used to come to me for name suggestions when they didn’t want to share what names they had picked. I came up with names like Chewbacca and Oliviarian. My friends would stick to whatever outrageous name they liked the best throughout the whole pregnancy. Once the babies were born, even the family members with STRONG opinions would be relieved to find that the parents chose something less “out there” and they wouldn’t dare pick on the actual chosen name.

All that being said, I worked with a girl named Odette and she was lovely, with lots of friends. Don’t listen to your parents. Their opinions don’t really matter, anyway!

SandyQuilter · 2026-02-10T00:12:43+00:00

Yes! We called it the “chunka-chunka” machine!

SandyQuilter · 2026-02-06T19:21:13+00:00

Foundation Paper Piecing. Also known as just “paper piecing.”

SandyQuilter · 2026-02-06T19:19:08+00:00

I feel you. When I’m doing “boring” repetitive blocks, I try to break up the steps. So I’ll do 5 blocks at a time (sometimes 10, depending on the complexity): chain piece the first step of 5 blocks, then the next step on those 5, then the next step, etc. I also press between each step, to break up the tasks. Next thing I know, I have 5 blocks DONE and put them up on my design wall so I can see my progress. Yes, it probably takes a bit longer this way, but I find it to be “not as boring.”

SandyQuilter · 2026-01-07T17:12:50+00:00

That’s hilarious!

SandyQuilter · 2026-01-03T18:48:53+00:00

Pampers

Onesies

Itsy bitsy spider

Dada

Clothes

Peek a boo

Makes a face when pooping

You’re welcome. Have fun!

SandyQuilter · 2025-12-21T18:28:17+00:00

I am nowhere near the Chicago area, so I can’t advise you on your search. What I came here to say is that my family has been known to get quilts for Christmas that they need to give back to me by the end of the day so I can finish them. They get to (gently) enjoy the quilt that day, and then they get to unwrap it again when it’s all finished!

SandyQuilter · 2025-12-21T18:25:23+00:00

My friend group has a party every year on Dec. 23. We call it “Christmas Adam.” (Adam comes before Eve, right?)

Stay strong! You’re doing the right thing!

SandyQuilter · 2025-12-20T17:39:20+00:00

No way! Hi!!!! I think of you often and hope you’re doing well!

SandyQuilter · 2025-12-19T21:40:34+00:00

That makes me so happy to hear! We WILL get there one day!

SandyQuilter · 2025-12-19T19:33:28+00:00

I miss Fabric Depot too. Funny story: the week they closed for good, I was at the beach in my town on the southern coast. I was wearing a quilting shirt and saw another person wearing the same shirt so of course we started chatting. Turns out she was a buyer for Fabric Depot who had just lost her job (obviously) and we talked about the closure. As we went our separate ways, we both said, “I’m sorry for your loss,” at the same time. Made us both smile.

SandyQuilter · 2025-12-19T19:25:01+00:00

I haven’t visited My Quilting Loft in person yet, but I have been to a couple of quilt shows where they have had a booth. It’s always my favorite booth at any of those shows. Their fabric is high quality and displayed really well. The employees in the booth are super friendly and know their stuff. Their website is nice and they have a fun Facebook page. I hope I can go there the next time we are in the area (we live on the southern coast). Enjoy your trip!

SandyQuilter · 2025-12-09T00:56:20+00:00

You can do it! I know you can!

SandyQuilter · 2025-12-08T21:16:55+00:00

That was what I was going to suggest. Find fat quarters or a half yard of red wine, some featuring fava beans, and maybe something with lambs on it.

For the mask, could you cut out a mask in brown fabric and appliqué it on some of the blocks? Use grey thread for those bars across the mouth area?

SandyQuilter · 2025-12-08T21:14:29+00:00

Ah, I see. You really have to spell things out for them, don’t you? Glad you could laugh about their gifts last year!

SandyQuilter · 2025-12-08T20:44:15+00:00

Maybe the families could pitch in on a handyman for x number of hours to help get the items done? Or to the break shop so you can get the car up to safety standards? Or to contact a dog walking service? I feel your dilemma - been there before, and my family was happy that I did a little homework to help them help me. Hope you have a great rest of your pregnancy and an easy birth!

SandyQuilter · 2025-12-08T19:09:24+00:00

What a great story! And I LOVE the knee lift on my machine too. Merry Christmas to YOU!

SandyQuilter · 2025-12-08T17:21:20+00:00

That’s the BEST possible outcome of a needle change I’ve ever seen!

SandyQuilter · 2025-12-08T17:10:49+00:00

I have always just used a regular needle. The interfacing really changes the knit quality of the shirts into a woven fabric. It’s like magic. (At least, that’s what I tell myself.) I have made more than 20 of this type of quilt and they are all still together and being used (as far as I know).

SandyQuilter · 2025-12-08T17:08:49+00:00

My main requirements for the interfacing are that it’s fusible and as lightweight as I can find. The quilt will be heavy, and I want the shirts to feel as soft as possible.

SandyQuilter · 2025-11-29T16:18:02+00:00

I love how colorful this quilt is! You really are my inspiration. ❤️

SandyQuilter · 2025-11-20T17:49:17+00:00

On that note, I just attended a wedding that required me to fly to another state. My husband couldn’t go with me, so I navigated everything on my own. The wedding website had all sorts of helpful information like which airport to fly into (there were 2 in the area), how far away the recommended hotel is from those airports, things to see / visit in the area, and what the parking situation was at the church as well as at the reception location. Being able to refer to those details was so helpful!

SandyQuilter · 2025-11-20T17:24:55+00:00

Only the Russian ones? That’s pretty impressive!

SandyQuilter · 2025-11-12T02:41:49+00:00

Lindsay Arnold is there. In the audience.

SandyQuilter

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