One day when I was tired of working on my pink quilt (probably because my old sewing machine was acting up), I decided to start trimming down some of my fabric scraps into 2 1/2" by 2 1/2" squares. There are several fabrics left over from my first quilt, a few from bags I've made, a lot left over from covering my chairs (I'd originally planned on covering 4 chairs, but only did 2), and some from the "quilt" I'd made for Sally. The bright lime green in the corner was a fabric I'd seen on sale and just had to have - even though lime green is *not* my color. I figured it could be used in a future quilt.... little did I know....
About two days after I'd done that - the Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend, my friends M & S told me they were finally going to get to adopt a little boy! I then knew exactly what I would do with all those scraps. I also cut up some of the fabrics I'd originally chosen for the quilt I'm planning for my nephew - some batik fabrics & the funky blue & green lightningy ones. In fact some of that fabric I'd purchased at the Fabric Depot outdoor sale for 50% off - a great deal but I had to buy full yard cuts, much more than I really needed for my nephew's quilt. Which ended up being a good thing because I had enough for this quilt as well. After cutting up lots and lots (380+) 2 1/2" squares, I went to work sewing them back together again. Quilting is a bit illogical that way.
So here are all the squares sewn together into the quilt top. The inner border is fabric from Sally's "quilt", and the outer border was one of the 1 yard pieces stashed for my nephew's quilt.
So far, so good! I started quilting 'in-the-ditch' between the rows & columns of blocks. Thanks to Fraulein Peggy, I was able to race right through the quilting, and finish it in one night. Unfortunately, not all of my blocks lined up nice & neat, so the quilting is a bit wonky in places. Then I started attaching the binding. Now, this is a bit funny, I had all the fabric I needed for the quilt top & back at home, but I didn't have quite enough batting. So after finishing the top, I had to race over to the fabric store after work to pick up the batting. But then after quilting, I realized I forgot the binding... so I had to go back to the store the next day too. It wouldn't be so bad except that every time I walk into the fabric store I end up buying even more fabric!
Sally, of course, gave her seal of approval to the project.
Here's the finished quilt, it all it's glory.
On the bottom of the quilt I embroidered another heart and the year.
I love the spirally fabric backing.
Once it was finished, as per tradition I slept under it (just napped on the couch really) before giving it away. But the problem with that little tradition, is that once you've cuddled up under a quilt you've made, it ceases to be just bits of fabric and becomes a snuggley, cuddly, warm & cozy Quilt... and now I don't want to give it away!!!! But of course I will (after washing it of course). I just hope it gives the little boy endless amounts of comfort and warmth and coziness for years to come.
What do you think?
14 comments:
I've already told you how smashing I think this quilt is.... It's interesting to see the palette of blocks that you started with, because it really drives home for me that I NEVER would have thought of putting those fabrics together as a set. And yet it looks so dang good. You have to be proud of this one.
Quilting IS illogical! The shop in my hometown used to be downstairs from a tavern. My mom tells me that once, when she was taking a class, a guy staggered downstairs, three sheets to the wind. "Ah!" he slurred. "These are the women who cut fabric up into little pieces, and then sew them back together again!" And all of the women in the class sort of looked at each other, sheepishly, sharing a just-slightly-uncomfortable epiphany.
Very nice!!!
Stitching in the ditch--is that an Eleanor Burnsism?
I love it and I know M & S and their new little one are going to love it, too! It's lovely and so very thoughtful -- you're awesome!
Beautiful! And I'm very impressed at your fast progress, too. Awesome job!
It's lovely. That's one lucky little boy, on a lot of levels.
Thanks everyone!
Wow, that is really beautiful. I'm in awe of all of your crafy projects! :)
its beautiful!!!
It is spectacularly beautiful!
That is beautiful! Great job, and so special!
Congratulations to your friends for adopting a little boy. And of course, congratulations to the little boy for getting a great pair of parents. That is such a great selfless thing to do. You are soo sweet for making him a quilt. It will mean to world to all three of them! :D
Great quilt and great colours! The lime green really gives the quilt sparkle and I would never have thought to include that colour in the selection ... good choice!
It really is beautiful! What a lucky baby to receive such a gift.
It is really great, I can't wait to see it in person.
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