PB and J Charm Quilt


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!

14 comments

  1. Glad to see another post from you! And a super cute quilt too, tell your friend I love Ruby for a name!

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  2. I am in love with this! Genius, as usual!

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  3. Very 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!

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  4. It's gorgeous, Cynthia! And what a great way to use the charms! I'm sure Ruby will love it.

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  5. I love this quilt...the fabric collection, the design, the quilting...everything! Lucky little girl Ruby is!

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  6. I love this quilt, great interpretation of design! Lucky little Ruby! :)

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  7. Adorable quilt, love the fabrics and how you put them together. The quilting is beautifful. I am sure it will be loved.

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  8. Hi 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.
    Your newest blogging sister, Connie :)

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  9. I 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!

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  10. Do you have any sort of pattern or directions?!

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  11. I, too, would love a pattern! Makes PB&J very appealing.

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  12. I also love this pattern. Any chance you plan to write up the directiona?

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