Tuesday, September 22, 2009

How a 16 year old Quilter Earns Money

I was sorting through my quilting magazines this morning and found this one --  it's from 1995 and I was 16 years old.





















Do you see the basket quilt down at the bottom?  That is MY quilt.  =)  I'd like to share the story behind having it published in a magazine.



I made my first quilt when I was 14 years old and soon after discovered quilt magazines.  Such fun!  I found the Fruit Basket Quilt pattern in a magazine from the library.

I didn't have much of a fabric stash back then but my mom found a big bag of cotton prints at a garage sale for $2.00 so that's what I used for the baskets.  The white background is 99 cent/yard muslin from Joanns.  The sashing is a poly/cotton solid from Walmart.  I thought this was the prettiest quilt I'd ever seen when my mom, sister, and I finally finished it.

On a whim, I sent a picture and little description of the quilt to a the magazine who had published the pattern.  I was SOOOO surprised when I received a letter in the mail, several months later, that the magazine wanted to publish my quilt and they would pay me $50.

Wow!!!  I was over the moon with excitement.  =D =D =D  My dad very carefully packed up the quilt and mailed it to the magazine for photographing.  The quilt was returned to us and I began to wait.  And wait.  And wait.  And wait. 

Nine months went past and then it happened!  A letter arrived from the quilt magazine, apologizing for the delay and informing me that my quilt would be published next month.  And there was a CHECK, not for $50 ... but, $200!!! 

























So there you have it.  It's just as exciting to see my (maiden) name in print 14 years later.

Love,

Erin

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, I can't believe you still remember all the details. Brought tears to my eyes remembering this. :-)

Love ya,

SarBar

Erin said...

SarBar ... I know who you are. =)

I also remember the sapphire ring I bought that I wore for YEARS. I was sad when the prongs broke and the stone popped out. =(

Love you too,

Erin

Dolly said...

Wow......it's a big deal to get published at any age.....I've tried ! But to get paid $200 when you're 14 with your first quilt is just outstanding ! Congratulations, even after all these years !

Jeannette said...

What a cute story! I hear in the details you share that your fabric art has come a long way and yet...what can replace that innocent inspiration? And it was a fmaily project making it all the more precious. What price would you sell this quilt for? right...it is priceless.

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