Here's another baby quilt. Ahhh...babies! Best reason in the world for making quilts! I made this one for my cute friend Bridgett who just had her 3rd baby too. She and I had been planning a double wedding for our children--since she had two boys and I had two girls. When I found out I was having another girl I hoped she would have another boy so we could just make it a triple wedding. But alas, she had a girl! It's ok though, because she is the CUTEST thing ever. Seriously. She has awesome hair. And her name is Ruby. Love her! So this is her quilt:
I had intentions of making baby quilts for Bridgett's other kids, but this is the first time I actually made it happen! Yes! 3rd time's the charm! I asked her if she had specific colors she wanted and she said, "Not really, I trust you." So let's just hope she's glad she trusted me when she sees it! :)
I didn't really have much in mind to start this quilt other than a picture of a scrappy quilt I had seen Bridgett like on Facebook months earlier. So I saw some fabric I thought she might like...floral but not super girly, and kind of retro. The fabric is PB and J by Basic Grey for Moda. So I bought 2 charm packs and tried to think of a good way to use them. Inspiration struck when I looked through the fabric the first time. I thought the easiest thing would be to just cut the charm squares in half and arrange them in the pattern of the one of the fabrics...this one:
I put the quilt together by laying it out on the floor and sewing it together a little at a time. The smarter way to do this would have been to use a design wall, but I didn't have space for one in NH. So originally I used all the fabrics in the charm pack, but after sewing half of it together I decided I didn't like the darker reds. So they were unpicked and pulled out which was annoying but it had to be done. I really wanted to finish the top of the quilt before the move, but that didn't happen...so I packed it away and we moved. Then it took me a couple of months to pull it back out and another month or so to finish it. It shouldn't have taken that long, but the edges and corners took a while. Since I was just making it up as I went along I had another baby quilt that I used as a guide for the size and I laid it all out on top of the other quilt. But it wasn't exactly the size I wanted and everything kept getting shifted around. So I would think I was done with one section, then I'd stand back and realize the angles weren't quite right so I needed to add more pieces. Finally I got smart and made a rectangle on the carpet with some painters tape that was exactly the right size so I would know where and how much more fabric I needed to add.
I quilted it using a Baptist fan groovy board. It only took me 2 hours to quilt it and the quilting is perfect. I love groovy boards!
I backed it in this cute floral print from the PB an J line and bound it in the matching navy textured print. I think I love the back of this quilt more than the front...the leftovers are probably going to become a dress for one of my girls. Super cute.
Hope Miss Ruby likes her quilt!!
UPDATE: There is now a pattern for this quilt! Get it HERE!
Glad to see another post from you! And a super cute quilt too, tell your friend I love Ruby for a name!
ReplyDeleteI am in love with this! Genius, as usual!
ReplyDeleteVery cool - I'm most intrigued with this quilt and can't figure out how you put it togehter - can you share a bit more about the construction ? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteIt's gorgeous, Cynthia! And what a great way to use the charms! I'm sure Ruby will love it.
ReplyDeleteI love this quilt...the fabric collection, the design, the quilting...everything! Lucky little girl Ruby is!
ReplyDeleteI love this quilt, great interpretation of design! Lucky little Ruby! :)
ReplyDeleteAdorable quilt, love the fabrics and how you put them together. The quilting is beautifful. I am sure it will be loved.
ReplyDeleteYou are Ahhhhhhmazing!
ReplyDeleteHi Cynthia, I am over joyed to find your lovely blog. I am a "new-bee" quilter and I am getting so much pleasure from learning this fabulous art. Your blog is so inspiring. I absolutely love this quilt and your color choices are so cheerful. Your friend is going to love it. I am your newest follower and I would love to invite you to visit and if you like follow me back. Like I said I am new to quilting and I am very open to any suggestions.
ReplyDeleteYour newest blogging sister, Connie :)
That is a really cool pattern!
ReplyDeleteI love this quilt! and I am in awe of how you just made it up as you went along. I'd buy the pattern if you ever decide to write it up! :-) Love the fabric line too - your quilt is the first to make me take notice of PB & J. I may have to buy a couple of charm packs myself! Thanks for the inspiration, and congrats on a most beautiful finish!
ReplyDeleteDo you have any sort of pattern or directions?!
ReplyDeleteI, too, would love a pattern! Makes PB&J very appealing.
ReplyDeleteI also love this pattern. Any chance you plan to write up the directiona?
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