In my sorting frenzy I also found this: my very first ever quilt. I made it for Mum when I was 14, and hadn't a clue what I was doing. I had very basic instructions on how to make a Log-Cabin block and a pile of dress-making scraps and away I went.

This was made as a surprise for Mum's b'day, and I locked myself in my bedroom to sew on it; no-one was allowed to come in un-announced. Seeing it was Mereth's bedroom too it put a strain on the relationship. She thought I was mad. I probably was. I played two Olivia Newton John tapes over and over again for the several weeks it took to finish the top. Even now, if I hear a song from one of those tapes I feel slightly nauseated; too much of a good thing....

The quilting of this was a farce, as I had no idea what to do. We shall draw a veil over the proceedings. Suffice to say there were two layers of batting involved. Mum loves it, and it was on her bed every winter until last year, when Mereth persuaded her to let me have it back so I can quilt it properly. Mereth unpicked the dreadful quilting, and now I have to finish the thing nicely. It's as heavy as lead, because I pieced the blocks onto old sheets, but it's also very warm.

Every material is a dressmaking scrap, and holds wonderful memories. It's eye-poppingly bright, but that was the '70s. Mini-skirts, floor length dancing dresses, swirly 8-gored skirts, shirts with puffy sleeves....

This was the start of our family quilting heritage. (And I'd kill for a length of that gold and pink paisley now....)