Teaching My Daddy to Sew!

I'm finally getting around to writing a very special post.  This past August, we planned a family vacation to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.  We reserved a beautiful cabin that would accommodate us along with my parents (who we planned to kidnap on our way and force them into taking a break from the real world).

I have several different stories to share about this vacation but for this post, I will concentrate on my Daddy.

Our cabin was reserved for 9 days and the only worry I had prior to our vacation was...HOW WILL WE KEEP DAD OCCUPIED SO HE WON'T GET BORED AND WANT TO GO HOME EARLY!!

On Day #1....Dad was content to sit and read on the front porch (along with his constant companion...his 3 pound, toy breed Mi-Ki named Zealy).  She is sitting on the porch swing next to him.

On Day #2....Dad was content to teach Kirsten all the ins and outs to shooting pool.

On Day 3...Dad was content to help the rest of the family put together a jigsaw puzzle.

On Day 4....Dad was content to rest. :) :)

On Day 5....Dad started to show the beginning signs of boredom!  Oh boy!!!!  I had taken two of my vintage Singer Featherweights to have some mother/daughter bonding (sewing) time and on this day, Dad started insinuating that he could sew better than both my mother and me.  I do need to explain to everyone reading that my Dad had never sewn one stitch in his life....but he's always had a talent for thinking he can do anything!  :) :)

With a big smile on my face I said... "Sure, Dad....if you want to sew, I'll teach you!"  Of course, I had to remind him that he did indeed need to put his doggie Zealy down on the floor in order to use both hands while sewing!!! :) :) :)

My Mom and Dad, getting ready to sew side-by-side (once he puts the dog down that is!)

Thankfully, I had packed quite a bit of different fabrics, including lots of pre-cuts (jelly rolls, charm squares, layer cakes, etc.)  Even though I would have NEVER DREAMED my Dad would want to sew, I had brought the PERFECT fabric for my Dad...a layer cake of pre-cut 10" squares of big construction trucks.

The Sewing Lessons Begin!

Dad sewed and sewed for two straight days until he had completed his very first (and possibly only :) :) quilt top!

I brought his quilt top home with me after vacation, added a red inner border and a wider outer border using fabric from the same line.  We ended up with a quilt large enough to fit a full size bed!

Time to quilt....

I used a royal blue tone-on-tone for the backing...and a quilting design called "Swoosh" from Urban Elementz.

Not a great photo...but here is a portion of the quilt hanging from my banister....

Spread across my queen size bed....

I used the red fabric in the border to bind the quilt also.  While on vacation, I thankfully remembered to write a label and have Dad sign it...the best part!!!

The quilt is currently here in New York just waiting to be mailed to Dad or hand-delivered whenever I get to make a trip back home.

Teaching my Dad to sew will always be a special memory I will forever hold in my heart.  He really did an awesome job and needs to make a few more quilt tops!!!!  He has lots of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren who want quilts made by him now that everyone knows he can SEW!!!!!

The secret is out now Dad....better get busy!!!!!