"Emily's wedding quilt"

My sweet friend has a sweet baby girl named Emily. Emily's big sister already had a quilt, but we didn't know if this little lady was a baby boy or girl, so her quilt wasn't ready when she was brand new. 

Emily just turned one, and over the past year I've had many, many different ideas for her quilt, until I saw this fabric, and knew I wanted to design something around it. 

I asked Instagram and some friends for ideas, and Kelly showed me this quilt, called "Emily's Wedding Quilt" from Fons & Porter. I reworked the block sizes, and got to fussy cutting! 

Here was the plan. 

A couple cute blocks

Almost there! 

Now to make a border and quilting plan!

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P.S. I still have a bunch of destash items available. Free PDF pattern with a purchase... I'm even happy to take offers! :)

a baby quilt and destash this fine Monday morning. :)

Good morning friends!

I've had a few quilt finishes in the last couple months believe it or not! ;)  One I can't blog yet (bummer), but a couple I can (even if they're small).

This first one I started when the little owner of this quilt was just brand new, and for some reason, her name inspired me. And then it sat. For a very long time. Not sure why... but it just happened that way.

Until one weekend I decided I wanted to finish something.

I knew I had to use this map fabric from SarahJane, not only because of the color scheme, but the symbolism. (The year of Jubilee, Biblically, was when slaves were freed, and all kinds of mercies were bestowed - I like the idea of that covering the whole world).



The quilt is very simple. Just some pretty patchwork squares and a name from Kelly's Wonky Alphabet pattern. (Lindsey even got a whole 'nother quilt out of the extra squares! :D

Infinity loops and loop-di-loops for the quilting.





I hope miss Jubilee loves it!

(You know what's kind of funny? She is one of Scarlet's little dopplegangers... see???)

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In other news: 

Big destash going on in my pattern shop! I'm giving away a free pdf pattern with each purchase -- just leave the note of your choice in the little check out note and I'll email it to you. :) Most things are priced at $5/yard!

Kiley's Princesses and Mermaids quilt

I finished this little custom quilt last week.

This was my starting stack of fabric.

Kiley's mom told me a few colors and that Kiley wanted "princesses, butterflies, and mermaids." I thought it would be a perfect excuse to use this Alexander Henry "Once Upon a Time" print.

For the design - I stole from an idea I used a long time ago, when I made this little Plume quilt. It lets you feature a big focal print with the frame as well as the wide directional border.

The half-square triangles make a nice contrast.

For the quilting, I used a basic, loopy free motion all over. It gives good texture, looks cute, and complements all the triangle points well.

I have made quilts for Kiley's brother, and baby sister, and I didn't want her to feel left out by not having her name on this quilt.  So I decided to put it on the back, so that when it was folded down, it shows up the right way.

Cute, huh?

I screwed up the piecing on this a couple times, but ripped a few seams, and eventually got it right. :)

Kiley picked the mermaid backing herself (from Out to Sea by Sarah Jane for Michael Miller).

Binding was a pink and purple from Tula Pink's Parisville from my stash.

I don't do very many custom quilts, but this one was fun to work on! Thanks Kiley! ♥ I can't wait to see it in your room!

I got a picture of Kiley with her quilt too! So sweet!

Union Jack quilt for Ty (finished quilt and free block pattern)

I got the quilt for this little guy done last week, and mailed it Wednesday morning.  It arrived Saturday, just in time for his birthday on Sunday!  *phew!*

Previous posts on this quilt here, and here.
Tutorial for similar quilt here (quilt size is different).
Free Union Jack block pattern in my Craftsy shop here.

This was a custom order for a little guy who is just a few days younger than Steiger.  His mama is British, and wanted a Union Jack theme.  We picked out some fabrics with an Anglophilic flair, and she said she wanted his name, and that flag in there.

I could not find a pattern I liked, so I made one.  I think it really looks great in there too!

I re-sized my Bricks in Bloom quilt so it was a nice twin size, this was (64" x 88").

Rachel posted this picture of the quilt on the bed (by the way - I didn't make the sham), and I was so glad it fit so well!

She says he loved it too. ♥

I free motioned the quilt all over, except in the flag part.

For the backing, it's mostly a cute plaid print. 

Hooray for another quilt finished!

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My friend Lindsey just emailed me this picture!  I LOVE the fabrics she used!  (and am happy that the pattern works!) ;)

triangles, triangles.

I feel like I say "finally!" a lot around here. :)

I had the top finished over a year ago... oops.

Since we didn't peek at little miss Scarlet's gender while she was baking, I had made a gender neutral quilt that I intended to take with us to the hospital (I had this dream of greeting baby #2 with skin, and then a homemade quilt -- but labor came on and progressed so quickly that there wasn't even a camera in the room with us when she was born, let alone a quilt). ;)

To make this quilt, I cut sixty degree triangles from 4 1/2" strips using this stack of fabric.  My friend Lindsey made the original inspiration quilt for me, and I also loved Adrianne's little baby mish mash quilt.

And I really do think it works for either a baby boy or girl... which is saying a lot, because generally, I'm not impressed by gender neutral attempts, and think they look either boy or girl.

For the back, I used a big chunk of Tula Pink's Turtle Bay print from Prince Charming in the aqua color.  I had originally intended to use the cream one, but couldn't bring myself to part with it once I decided I would probably be trying to sell this quilt.  I finished off the side with the pastry stripe in the little folks voile.

I love that Turtle Bay print, and love how the voile looks next to it.

It's quilted with straight lines, 1/4" ish away from the vertical seams in both directions.

I had started to do the binding in the "saffron" voile, but changed my mind, and decided it needed to be cream instead.  I think they look beautiful together.

I absolutely love this quilt, and think it turned out so beautifully, but because I have too many new fabric collections I'm eyeing, and because Scarlet's room is going ultra-girley, I've listed this quilt for sale.  If you know someone looking for a gender neutral quilt, you can send 'em my way. :)

makes the world go round

For a baby born this week. :)  A little Love...

I used Kelly's Wonky Alphabet again (this time in full size letters -- I did modify the E to a capital E though)...

The baby's bedding set is made with Dena Designs' Kumari Garden, so I bought some of the medallions print, and went from there.  I think I'll put her name on the back... we'll see!

Scarlet and I are fighting colds, so I haven't had tons of energy, but I'm hoping to get a late night in here soon and finish up a bunch of these baby quilt WIPS. :)  I've actually been watching TV lately (yes, the Olympics) -- and it's been so nice!  I never watch TV, so it's been kind of relaxing.  But back to something productive! ;)

P.S. Go link up with this month's "Just Three" :)

Just Three - August... and some thoughts

It's the first week of the month!  
That means, time to check in, report, and link up!

If you're new, here's how it works --
1) Pick three quilty-type goals for the month.  OF COURSE you can do more than three things, and there is no gestapo to come check in on you if you decide to alter your course, it's really just meant to be fun, and maybe give a little direction/report.

2) Blog about it!  Reflect and report on the previous month, and then set course with what's coming.

3) Come link up during the first week of the month, and please link back here in your post. :)  (There's a button over on the side margin)


P.S. The winner from last month's custom charm pack giveaway is lucky #13 -- Alidiza!
P.P.S I read all the links -- but sometimes am nursing or holding a little girlie, and don't have a free hand to type comments!

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Report/Reflect - 

Last month's goals:

1) Get Penny Candy done!  (You can go enter to win a free copy of the pattern here)

Pattern is done!  Sadly, quilt top still isn't quilted.  I think I'm going to have to be brave and just do it myself!

2) Finish curtains for kiddos' rooms, and a couple other pretty little projects.  

Scarlet's patchwork panel curtains are done and up hanging in her room!

I have the fabric for Steiger's, but they're not done yet.

3) Make something amazing...

I designed and made a new block that I love, and I made great progress on my chubby stars!

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August's "Just Three" --

1) Make some baby quilts (and crib skirts)

I've got this one I want to finish, the triangle one (it's really close), and these ones too.  Maybe I'll come up with one more, just for fun.

2) Make something amazing that I plan to write the pattern for.

I'm thinking either the glassy quilt, or my new idea.

3)  Make the Treasure Boxes quilt (for the Treasure Boxes quilt along!)

(Can I tell you that I won't be able to enter my paypal info fast enough when Out to Sea is released?)

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OK, now some questions I've wanted to ask, and some thoughts I've just wanted to say out loud (and hear your thoughts)

First -- thoughts on sneak peeks of patterns?  Do you like to see the WIP/progress shots?  Is it annoying and would you rather I just wait until it's all done?

For me, the reality is that sometimes it's a long time between having the idea, and getting the pattern published.  We only have one computer, and my husband likes to use it in the evenings (when we have more free time).  And if I didn't show the progress shots, my blog would be even more quiet than it is.

What do you guys think?  I blog because I like to connect with kindred spirits... so it seems kind of sad not to show progress shots, but it seems like that's what people do... hmmm...

Also, Jolene brought it up yesterday, but I've been wanting to share some thoughts on patterns anyway.  Just because I suppose.

How I see quilt patterns, copyright, and all that jazz...

When I buy a pattern, I see it as thinking the design is great, and not wanting to take the time to figure it out myself.  Most patterns I CAN figure out, but don't necessarily want to spend the time it would take to to do so.  So I buy the pattern.  Even if I never make the quilt, I read the pattern, and have learned something about block construction, patterns, and different techniques.

I appreciate free patterns and tutorials, and definitely share some around here, but because I don't have a sponsored blog, and don't feel that I generate enough material (let's be real here -- I also don't want the pressure of being paid to blog -- this is my FUN TIME!  Do I love free fabric?  Unequivocally, but I want this space to be mine... and I just don't have the time to do enough blogging and the like to be sponsored -- It would feel like pressure!)  Tutorials take a lot of time, and time is something I'm kind of short on these days.

Anyway -- 

I am not under any delusion that a design in a quilt is "mine" or even new and original.  There's nothing new in quilting really.  When I was researching copyrights on quilt patterns, I found that you actually only copyright the pattern (directions, etc.) when you publish a quilt pattern, and not the design of the quilt.  I feel really comfortable with that.  I wouldn't feel comfortable trying to claim a design as my own, but the math and the directions and the figuring -- those I did.  

So I basically see buying a quilt pattern as paying someone for their time to figure it up (and also saving a bunch of mine).  

We all know that quilting is an expensive habit.  Writing and selling patterns is my attempt to help fund that hobby... because as cute as these little people are, they don't pay very well... at least not in the kind of currency that allows me to buy more fabric. :)  

(I'll try not to spend your college tuition in fabric... ♥)

Linking to Lee's!  (which is hosted by my friend Katie this week!  Yea Katie!)
And Lynne's Fresh Sewing Day! 

OK -- enough blabbing!  Link up! (and comment)

  

WIP Wednesday - for a new baby

Oh yea, I have a gazillion different projects going on... all the time.  This is nothing new for me, nor is it anything I'm terribly uncomfortable with (obviously).

But *this* is why I quilt.

A friend of mine just had her baby a couple days ago.  They were keeping the name a secret until she was born (healthy, complication free delivery! yea for mama and baby!)... when I saw the announcement, I don't know...

Something about her name.*

I wasn't planning on making her a quilt, but with a name like Jubilee??? I had to.  (Besides, her mama is pretty great)

I printed out enough letters from Kelly's Wonky Alphabet pattern (OK, so I might have had to reprint a few of them a couple times -- I'm still not great with paper piecing)

And voila.

I've been wanting to use this color combo forever.  New baby = perfect excuse. :)

I can't wait to get it all cut and sewn together!  ♥

The end of July is quickly approaching us!  I've got some goals to finish before it sneaks away completely!

(And I really did have every good intention of not starting another quilt until that one was finished... but alas... babies come first around here) ;)

*I don't remember all the specifics from when I studied it back in college, but the year of Jubilee, Biblically, is a time of renewal, freedom and celebration.  Makes me especially proud of that first "e" in her name, and all the significant words. :)

Linking to Lee's!  

a hunky dory baby...

I finished a little quilt.



This is the second half of a trade I did with a local photographer (she also got my "if it's a boy" quilt).  Inspired by Kelly, and the quilts she makes for her photography friend, (I'd link you to her pinterest board but I can't see anything on pinterest right now???), I thought another photographer might want to use quilts as props, and happily, Nicole was interested! :)

Kelly had a picture of this little quilt done in Hunky Dory, that Nicole saw a picture of and really liked.  But much to my chagrin, I do not have a Hunky Dory stash, and just had some leftover wonky nine-patch blocks from when I made this quilt.

Normally I would sash wonky nine-patch blocks, but Kelly advised me that for photos, keeping it as one solid background is best.  I used a Bella pale pink for the border, as white is often too harsh.  The corner blocks are just some coordinating kona solids -- and I think those two blocks might be my favorite in the quilt.  I love the juxtaposition of the ordered solids, and the wonky, somewhat chaotic prints.

AND -- when I tested the quilt with my less than mediocre photography/photoshop skills, and my very adorable daughter, it turned out beautifully.

♥

and *phew*

I decided to quilt in cross-hatch because I love the look of cross-hatch, and I thought it would be a nice contrast to the wonkiness of the blocks.  I especially like how it looks in the border.

Because I wanted the quilt to be reversible for Nicole, I found a pretty Hunky Dory print on ebay, and used it as the backing.  

I think it looks so soft and fresh and pretty!  

I got to see a sneak peek of the family pictures that we got in exchange for the quilts -- I love them!

And I CAN'T WAIT to see what Nicole does with these little quilts, and all the sweet babies who will borrow them. :)