Thuet Wedding Quilt

Since Valentine's Day is right around the corner I thought I would share a quilt I made last Spring (2016) for my niece's wedding using Sweetwater's "First Crush" fabric by Moda Fabrics. It's such a perfect fabric line for a wedding quilt and I knew I wanted to incorporate my niece's new last name into the quilt design. The pattern is my own, inspired by several quilts I saw on Pinterest (such as this and this and this.)

I used a Moda Layer Cake of First Crush fabric and purchased a little extra yardage for the lettering and hearts. I also added some red, black, cream and gray solids to tie it all together. 

For the appliqued last name and hearts I used the raw-edge applique technique for the first time. It was quick and easy and I love the extra texture the raw edges give to the quilt. It is definitely a technique I will use again.

To create the large last name letters I used the Calibri Bold font. The letters are 5" high. I typed them into a Word document, set lettering to "outline" and printed them on paper. Then I carefully cut the fabric using the paper letter templates. I used a glue stick to arrange the fabric letters on the background fabric and stitched as closely to the raw edges as possible. I appliqued the letters and the hearts to the background fabrics before any piecing or quilting was done. 

The backing is First Crush paisley in cream/gray, with a solid gray vertical strip added for 

interest.

 I absolutely LOVE the binding in First Crush cream/gray diagonal stripe!

  

 

 I quilted straight lines one inch apart over the entire quilt using my walking foot.

I love the way it turned out!

The finished quilt measures 54" x 68" and is a generous throw size. 

Finished with love: May 2016

 A Quilt for my Dad

This quilt was a labor of love, made from squares of fabric from some of my Dad's favorite shirts. My dad ALWAYS wears collared shirts with buttons, which are freshly ironed, for as long as I can remember back into my childhood. I honestly have NEVER seen him in a t-shirt or sweatshirt (except that one time my brother gave him a t-shirt as a joke). He is a well-dressed man. My dad is a creature of habit and has strong opinions... he knows what he likes. He also has a propensity towards blues and greens and plaids. I love my dad. AND I know I can't go wrong when it's time to buy him a gift. 

 This quilt was started more than 10 years ago. I had the squares cut from the shirts long before I pieced the top with white sashing. Then the quilt top sat unfinished for several more years. In the fall of 2014 I decided it was time to finish it up and give it to my dad for Christmas. I squared up the top, added the navy blue border and quilt and bound it, finishing it late on Christmas Eve. It was my favorite gift I gave that year. 

 I quilted this quilt with a pattern of diagonal crosshatch quilting. It was my first time trying this technique. I used blue painter's tape to mark the quilting lines and keep everything straight. I love the effect. This is also a special quilt to me because although I have a long history of making quilts throughout my life, this was the quilt that started my passion for quilt-making in earnest.

Miss Kate Herringbone Baby Quilt

 Made... just because I fell in love with the "Miss Kate" fabric line from Bonnie and Camille of Moda Fabrics. Such fun rich colors and patterns to play with. Pieced as a simple herringbone pattern from half-square triangles and quilted with an allover zigzag straight line quilting pattern.

This quilt is backed in Miss Kate green floral and bound with Miss Kate red scallops. It measures 

33" x 41". Finished in November 2016.

This was my first attempt at zigzag quilting and I LOVE the effect.

And I love the red scallop binding.

Firsts for me with this quilt: half-square triangles, zigzag quilting, and first time sewing with a Bonnie and Camille line.  Lovely...

                       

Dressed-up Patchwork Baby Quilt

A simple patchwork quilt can't be beat- unless it's dressed-up just a bit! The inspiration for the design of this quilt came from a quilted pillow I once saw. I love how the little inset diamonds "dress-up" the patchwork design and how the overall design lends itself well to a "dressy" diagonal quilting pattern. This quilt uses fabrics from Samantha Walker's Roundup! line by Riley Blake Designs along with several coordinating fabrics from my stash. 

This quilt is backed with the main blue cowboy print and bound with a tiny stars print. It think the darker blue fabric frames the quilt nicely. Baby boy quilts are so fun to make!! This one will be snuggled and loved by a sweet baby boy named Beckstrom (and his mom, Kiley).

Quilt Stats:

• 36" x 36" baby quilt
• Samantha Walker's Round-up! fabrics by Riley Blake Designs and additional coordinating fabrics
• Diagonal crosshatch quilting
• Finished: February 27, 2016

Dr. Seuss ABC Quilt

This quilt was made from a Dr. Seuss ABC quilt panel with side borders of coordinating Dr. Seuss fabrics by Robert Kaufman Fabrics. I love the vibrancy of this quilt, with it's saturated bright primary colors. It's my slightly modified version of "It's Sew Emma's" BIG A - LITTLE A quilt pattern, available free from www.FatQuarterShop.com. 

I chose a steel gray Moda crosssweave texture fabric for a more subdued backing, with a banner of Dr. Seuss fabrics thrown in for fun. This quilt was made for my great niece and nephew, Ari & Hyrum. Makes me want to snuggle up and read some Dr. Seuss favorites!

Quilt Stats:

• 34 1/2" x 44 1/2" lap quilt
• Dr. Seuss ABC quilt panel- Robert Kaufman Fabrics
• Assorted Robert Kaufman Dr. Seuss fabrics
• Wavy horizontal channel quilting
• Finished: January 2016

Genevieve's Quilt

"French" and "lavender" were my inspiration starting points for this quilt. I chose a simple patchwork layout to highlight the beautiful floral fabrics from Holly Holderman's Sausalito Cottage line with a few additional fabrics thrown in from my stash. The backing fabric is a gorgeous lavender Parisian text print from the same fabric line. I'm so pleased with the final product!

Quilt Stats:

• 36" x 36" baby quilt
• 3" square, patchwork pattern of my own design (144 squares)
• 15 fabrics in Lavender, Lilac, Green and Off-White, including prints from Holly Holderman's Sausalito Cottage line by Lakehouse Dry Goods, Bella and Kona solids, and fabrics from my stash
• Straight-line quilted in a diagonal crosshatch pattern
• Finish- February 2016