I actually posted a request for help finding a missing part of a pattern several weeks ago so I'm not totally new to the forum. However I neglected to introduce myself so I thought I would briefly do so now.

My name is Pam and I am fairly new to quilting. My mother, Jo, was the big quilter in my family. Growing up, I never slept under a single thing that wasn't made by my mother, pieced and quilted by hand. She made quilts to keep us warm, mainly from scraps, and I cherish each and every one of those quilts that I have today.

Mom passed away in 1995 and left me 9 or 10 unfinished quilt tops. For years I kept them in a chest, for I couldn't bear to look at them. Finally, one day I opened the chest and knew it was time to help mama finish her quilts. As a little girl I quilted some with her, on her old frame, but I had not stitched a single stitch in about 40 years. I reasoned that no matter how badly they turned out, it was better than letting them languish in a chest forever.

Luckily I have a neighbor who quilts and she helped me get the first one laid out and ready to go. Watching Mom quilt over the years paid off, for the first one came out beautifully. I've now finished five of them, and in a strange way it feels as if Mom and I did them together.

The pattern that you guys helped me find was my first venture into completing a quilt from scratch on my own. I've finished the top and almost have it quilted now. It certainly won't win any awards but I'm happy as a clam with it and I know Mom would be pleased. It is machine pieced, but the quilting is by hand just as my mother would have done.

I am not one to spend hours on the internet but I've dropped by a few times just to browse the forum. I doubt that I'll be a constant poster, but I would like to keep up now and then. I am grateful to all of you who went out of your way to help me find my missing pattern info. I can tell that there are a lot of really nice folks here, and some very strong friendships.

Ironically, I see that some of you are making a visit to Tomball, Texas soon. Tomball is about 40 minutes from my home. So it's a small world, huh?

Pam

Come on in Pam! Aren't the ladies great here? I love your story about your mom's quilts! What a treasure to have all the quilts from her. I just know the ladies would love to meet you in Tomball, you won't regret driving over to the retreat, I promise!

Welcome! A couple of us are planning to try and drop in on the retreat gals so we can meet them all in person on Sunday...maybe you should come along and say hi!

Where are you located? I'm in the DFW area, as are a couple others.

Hi and Welcome from South AFrica, Pam - nice to have you with us

Mary

Hello Pam and welcome to BC thank you so much for sharing the memories of yoru mum and her quilting, I know how hard it must have been fro you to take that first step, but your mum would have definitely been so proud of you
I look forward to reading your posts, no matter how few and far between
Have fun and if you do go to Tomball say hi to everyone from me please

JAcqui

Thanks so much for the quick and warm welcome. Unfortunately I won't be able to meet in Tomball this week. When I read about it weeks ago it occurred to me that meeting everyone would be fun. Years ago I met up with a group of internet gardeners and developed some strong and enduring friendships, and I get the feeling this group is just like that. As it would happen, last week I had to have some surgery so I'm down and out for a few weeks. On the bright side, I have plenty of time to finish my quilt while I'm sitting on my new throne, the sofa. My quilting neighbor brought over a huge stack of quilting magazines to help me pass the time, and I've found enough patterns that I'd like to make to do me until I'm, oh, 150 years old. My husband is being a peach and makes a great servant, which is important when one is confined to their throne.

Pam, to BC,

Your story about your Mother's quilts warms my day ... how nice that every stitch you take is a tribute to lady who brought such comfort with her quilts ... and who left you with the wish and the skills to carry on ... and that you shall pass on to others with your quilts ...

My mother did not quilt. I am the first quilter that I know of in my family. I can only hope that someday my humble quilts might create such a legacy, <3 Pat

Pam,

I just read your post from March and I live only 20 minutes from Tomball. I too have some quilt tops to put together and finish that belonged to my mother-in-law. She gave them to me before she passed on abaout 9 years ago. So I really need to get with it and get them finished. Only problem is, none of her grandkids are interested in having them even if I finish them.That is from my husband's side of this family (second marriage for us). My kids would come near taking them. Oh well, they don't know just what they will miss in not having something that their grandmother hand embroideryed.

Peg

Hi Pam & welcome!

Maybe you'll get to meet up with some of the other quilters in your area! Everyone here has been great. I wish you well in your recuperation - keep looking thru those quilt magazines!

Pam-I saw you mention in your post that you used to belong to a gardening club.There are a bunch of us from National Home Gardening Club making a temporary home here in "Off Topic Chat".We'd be glad if you'd join in there,too.Keep you busy reading,though.