I started this quilt way back in February, the day my friend Devon told me she was pregnant. She's a reader, so I haven't been able to post any progress without spoiling the surprise. It's been delivered (the quilt, not the baby -- still waiting on her), so I can finally post some pictures!
If I buy fabric with no specific pattern in mind (really? buying fabric for no reason? who does that?), I have to wait a while before it "speaks" to me. I loved this little bundle from the get-go, but it'd been stubbornly silent since I brought it home. The day my sushi buddy e-mailed to say she wouldn't be eating any spicy tuna maki again until July, it screamed "Whirlygig!" from the shelf and I started cutting.
The quilt finished 39" x 45". Putting it together was like doing a big jigsaw puzzle, but that was half the fun. I love how some of the whirlygigs spin off into the border.
The fabric is Windham "Basics," and the binding is Kona Sour Apple, a nod to Devon & hub's St. Patrick's Weekend wedding two years ago. Visiting Mom & Dad last month, I returned to the quilt shop where I bought the fabric and, miraculously, they still had enough yardage left for the backing. They also had one of the same fat eighth bundles left (and a few smaller combinations) as well.
No, I didn't buy more.
I would have loved to have done some free motion on this quilt, but my BSR has been a little wacky lately and I seriously doubted I'd get it finished before that little girl arrived if I used it, so I stuck with my faithful walking foot and went with straight lines. I used a Color Catcher, but there was a mild post-washing panic and extra scrubbing when I discovered some of the red had run -- turns out much of it was due to stray red threads fraying under the white. I picked those out with a pin and tweezers and threw it in the dryer, where it crinkled up just like it was supposed to.
Now it just needs that baby girl to cuddle in it! Hope she gets here soon!
On a side note, it's fitting that I delivered this to Devon yesterday on my two-year blogiversary -- she's the one who inspired me to start blogging in the first place! Thanks, d!
13 comments:
I love that little quilt!! I can see it being the little one's favorite thing. I think the straight line quilting is more appropriate for that pattern than free motion anyway.
I have always liked this pattern and you have done a super job. I agree, straight line is better than a meander for this one.
Oh my gosh, it's so ADORABLE!! I wish I had known your visit was the reason dev had to call me back yesterday. I would've yelled out a solid HEEEEEY to you! :)
good work, friend.
What a great little quilt! I love the way some of the windmills go outside the border!!
Adorable little quilt! And I love the backing just as much as the front--it's so lively and colorful!
Has it been 2 years already? Wow.
I love the way you took some of the blocks out into the border. A beautiful quilt!
Kate, it is so fresh! So fit for a new start! Lovely gift. I like the way you arranged the windmills into rows. This is a fun pattern that I haven't tried yet....
; )
it's beautiful, lucky baby :-)
That quilt is equisite. I buy nearly all my fabric with no pattern in mind. I buy what I love and can afford and then I wait to be inspired and of I go again. I sew like crazy then.
I love the quilt! That was very creative with the border. I bet it was one of the more difficult jigsaw puzzles you've completed! Perfect quilt for a baby, so vibrant!
It looks great! Taking the WhirlyGigs into the border just makes it!
wow! you are so talented!!! i'm a friend of dev's and i know that piper will love it and treasure such a special gift! what a lucky little girl!
Lucky baby girl! Great work! I too buy fabrics with nothing in mind - glad to hear that others are tempted as well :)
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