If you remember this post from a long time ago, I shared lots of pictures from the first few weeks of the Sienna Burst QAL I was participating in. Well, the QAL ended weeeeeeks ago (months?), but I never finished my quilt. I was keeping up with the quilt-a-long schedule until the last week. I can't remember what came up, but I put my Sienna Burst blocks on the back burner while I worked on something else. And you know how it goes... the next thing, and the next thing, and the next thing kept coming up and I never finished my Sienna Burst quilt.
Publishing Snowflakes in July and Summer Garden this summer cleared a lot of the projects off my plate, so I was able to get Sienna Burst off the shelf and work on it again. Typically, I like to use my weekends for personal project quilting, and I do my "work quilting" during the week. I have to schedule my personal projects because I would just work all the time if I didn't.
I FINALLY finished my quilt top, and I LOVE it. I'm working on improving my quilt photos, so I took a bunch to share with you!
This is my favorite block :)
Isn't it beautiful?!
Next up, basting and quilting. That's on the agenda for this upcoming weekend.
:)
This year, I've been putting a huge focus on developing my own patterns. I wasn't planning on doing any commissioned quilt at all. But, when my college roommate said she was pregnant with a little girl, I immediately started looking at fabric options and cleared my schedule to make a baby quilt.
My friend wanted a specific quilt, the Sea Glass Baby Quilt by Talk of the Town.They are doing the nursery in a "Woodland Fairies" theme with mostly purples and some green. Kanvas Studios had the most PERFECT fabrics. It was such a challenge to narrow them down to four (well five if you include the backing).
I chose Dance of the Dragonfly Dancing Waves Plum, Enchanted Garden Floral Lilac, Enchanted Blossoms Orchid, and Pansy Noir Lilacfor the front, and Pansy Noir Mini Flutter Lilacfor the backing.
This pattern is entirely appliqué. I was really excited to try out the Silhouette Cameo my husband gave for Christmas to cut out the 94 petals needed for the quilt. But, I somehow broke the Cameo when I was updating the firmware. So I had to cut out the shapes by hand.
I typically prefer a blanket stitch on appliqué, but the one exception is on a baby quilt. On baby quilts, I use a satin stitch to attach the appliqué to the quilt. Baby quilts need to be durable and withstand lots of machine washing. I'm sure a blanket stitch would hold up just fine, but its a personal preference I guess.
I forgot to take a picture of the backing, so this is the best I have, but I just love it. It was probably my favorite part of this whole quilt. Pictures just don't do it justice. The gold butterflies are metallic and it adds a beautiful movement to the backing.
For the actual quilting, I outlined each appliqué petal and then outlined petals in the white space. I love the effect of the outlined petals in the white space. I'm still undecided on if it was worth the 94 thread breaks requiring me to bury those threads, but it sure does look nice.
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I hope you enjoyed reading about this one! :)
I am so excited to introduce you to my newest quilt pattern, Snowflakes in July. I started sketching this out in January, and putting it together and writing the pattern in February. (Side note - how is it already the end of May?!) Sharing this quilt with the world has been a long time coming, that's for sure.
It's a large throw size that finishes at 66"x71". Perfect for cuddling under on the couch while watching a movie, and spreading out on the ground for a picnic while watching fireworks.
My version is made from Moda Grunge fabric in Red, Regatta Blue, and Essence Ivory. I love the texture and depth the Grunge line gives while still just using a solid fabric. The pattern includes fabric requirements and cutting instructions for both yardage (to make a solid version like the one pictured) and fat quarters (to make a scrappy version that I think will look really fun)!
For the backing fabric, I chose Vintage Picnic in Navy Gingham by Bonnie and Camille. I'm a sucker for a good gingham fabric, and I think it goes nicely with my "picnic under the fireworks" feeling I had when designing this quilt.
I quilted organic wavy lines going horizontally across the quilt. I didn't measure, but I aimed to keep them and inch(ish) apart. It's gives the quilt a lovely drape while still adding some texture and interest to the surface.
This quilt pattern is suitable for a beginner quilter, but I'll take that a step further and say it would be better for a confident beginner. While it is not particularly complex pattern, some of the pieces are small and can be more a challenge to work with. But, if you are on the fence, I would say GO FOR IT! That many flying geese will be a good skill builder either way! I've written a more in depth tutorial on the Flying Geese method I use in this pattern. There is also a free PDF handout you can print off and refer to as needed. You can find all that here.
Sometimes, I have a vision for a quilt and when I try to put it on paper it just doesn't work. It takes ten versions before I find the one that works. This one, however, I saw clearly in my head before I started and when I put it on paper and did the math, it came together perfectly. If only it was that easy every time!
My husband was sitting next to me on the couch when I finished the first digital sketch. I showed it to him and asked what he would name the pattern. He said it reminded him of snowflakes. Perhaps he had snowflakes on the brain since it was January at the time. Haha. It sort of evolved into Snowflakes in July from there.
Now that all that is out of the way, I'm leaving you with lots of fun pictures. If you want to make your own Snowflakes in July, you can grab the pattern HERE!
Click Here to go the the Flying Geese tutorial.
Click Here to download the No Waste Flying Geese Reference Sheet.
When I first started quilting, it was around the time my friends started having babies. Naturally, I started making baby quilts for my friends. Baby quilts are probably my favorite thing to make. They are small, so they come together quickly, and I know it will be loved and cherished by the recipient.
When my friend commissioned me to make a baby quilt for her soon to be born son last fall, I jumped at the opportunity. She was decorating his nursery in natural colors in a woodland theme. There is so much good woodland creatures fabric. I had the best time pulling together some options for her.
I'm just now getting around to sharing this quilt even though the little man made his entrance into the world in December. Enjoy!
[caption id="attachment_362" align="aligncenter" width="500"]
From L - R: Michael Miller Woodland Winter Friends; Michael Miller Woodland Winter Stitches and Strips Snow; Dear Stella Blue Moon Folkstone; Art Gallery Hello Bear Tiny Buck Forest Mint; Art Gallery Hello Bear Leaflet Dawn; Dear Stella Woodland Critters White[/caption]
Backing Fabric: Robert Kaufman Mammoth Flannel in Iron[/caption]
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Today, I'm sharing another commissioned quilt I made at the end of last year. My sweet friend from college asked me to make a baby quilt for her brand new nephew! She requested a vintage airplane theme, and left the rest up to me!
As soon as I saw Flight by Janet Clare for Moda, I knew it was the perfect fabric line for this project. It complements his nursery without being too matchy-matchy. I quilted horizontal, wavy lines to represent wind. I just love the overall effect.
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Picking up where I left off a month or so ago, I'm sharing the next baby quilt I made for a friend. I can't believe her sweet daughter is two years old already. It feels like just yesterday I was picking out the perfect purple fabrics for this baby quilt. The timing is perfect to share this quilt because I started a new project for her yesterday! This time, she has commissioned me to make a baby quilt for her sister. It means the world to me that she liked her quilt enough to want one for her future nephew.
Anyway! Back to the Purple Pinwheel Baby Quilt...
I wish I had better photos of this quilt because I really loved the fabrics in it. I think I took these photos with my cell phone in really harsh sunlight so the colors are kind of washed out. The photos really don't do it justice, but here you go!
After my first attempt at HST (half-square triangles) in the two tone herringbone quilt, I was itching to do more with them. HSTs are such a versatile block. They are easily one of my favorites...despite all the trimming involved! I use this method to make my HSTs. Once the HSTs are done, making them into pinwheels is a piece of cake!
The backing fabric was one of my favorite things about making this quilt. My friends husband is in the Marines, so I chose a subtle patriotic fabric for the back. It is a nice cream color with an eagle print in white. Again, I wish I had better photography back then so you could really see it.
I did straight line quilting 1/4" from each vertical and horizontal seam. Then I stitched in the ditch on the diagonal seams. I think it created a nice overall effect. I chose a darker purple for the binding which framed the quilt nicely.
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On Thursdays, I will be throwing it back to quilts I have made over the years. Up first: the Two Tone Herringbone Baby Quilt
In 2015, my best friend was expecting her first child and I decided I needed to make her a baby quilt. Partially because I love her (and her daughter!) and partially because I wanted to an excuse to buy more fabric and work on another project.
My friend gave me free reign to do whatever kind of design I wanted, but requested purples and grays. I searched for a while before I settled on a herringbone pattern. I didn't follow a specific pattern, but did the quilt math on my own. As the quilt is only comprised of half-square triangles (HSTs), it wasn't too hard to figure out. Making this quilt was my first attempt at HSTs, as well as my first attempt at writing/designing a quilt. I have to say, the end result was not too shabby for my first time!
This quilt is made with Robert Kaufman Kona Solids in Lilac, Snow, and Stone. The binding is the darker Purple fabric. I had the hardest time finding the perfect purple fabric for the back. After some searching, I finally settled on a polka dot fabric from Riley Blake and I think it turned out perfect.
This was quilted this on my home machine using straight lines. The width between lines is varied and follows the chevron pattern the HSTs make. I originally planned to stitch in the ditch and leave it at that, but when I actually started, I couldn't help but add more lines. I love the texture of densely quilted quilts!
This quilt was first published on my personal blog celebrateeverymile.wordpress.com.
Enjoy this picture filled post of my scrappy American Flag quilted wall hanging!
It's no secret that I love the American Flag. My very first real quilt was a large American Flag that still hangs in our dining room now! One of my favorite things about living on post is that an American Flag hangs outside the door of most houses. Walk into any house here on post, and you will find Americana decor. So, when I decided to branch out into writing patterns, starting with an American Flag was a no brainer!
I used fabrics from two collections (Freedom by Sweetwater for Moda Fabrics and Betsy's Basket by Darlene Zimmermanfor Robert Kaufman Fabrics) plus assorted red, white, and blue fabric from my stash. The scrappy variety gives the quilt a rustic, vintage vibe. I love the way it turned out.
My absolute favorite detail about this quilt is the fussy cut squares from the Freedom collection. I wasn't able to get all 50 states because I only had a fat quarter to work with, but I will definitely stock up on more of this fabric for future projects. It is such a fun fabric!
For the backing fabric, I used Patriotic Pride - State Names in navy by Studio E. It was the perfect backing for this project. The binding is Bella solids in Navy. I like the way dark bindings frame a quilt.
I quilted it using straight lines 1/4" from each seam vertically and horizontally. It created a nice grid that gives this quilt a nice texture. It hangs nicely against the wall!
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