Friday, January 27, 2012

New Week - New Quilt

This "Spring Awakening" quilt is finally finished!

I've been planning to make this quilt for several years 
and I'm so happy I finally settled on a pattern and
took the time to stitch it up.

I designed this quilt pattern but had plenty
of inspiration from the many "brick" quilts on the internet.
The 50" x 56" quilt is made with 4" x 10" bricks 
and 1.5" strips for the mortar sashing.


The fabrics came from my stash, 
some had been set aside for just this purpose,
others I pulled when I chose the brick design.
Luck abounded when finding the muslin sashing, 
the batting and the surprise* backing in my stash too. 

The spring quilt now graces the back of our living room sofa,
 adding a little lightness to the winter blues.


(No, this isn't our living room sofa - LOL)

&&&&&&&

A few shots of the free motion quilting.


The quilting was inspired by the "Endless mums" design
in this book.  (I'm not being compensated in any way.)


&&&&&&&

*The soft pastel backing of this quilt comes with a story.

A few years ago, I realized that my fabric had multiplied. 
No, not like little bunny rabbits, but due to the fact that most
cotton quilt fabric has 2 sides - therefore double the possibilities.
Which meant this backing was hiding in my stash!

So when searching your stash or fabric store for just the right color or design,
don't forget to look at both sides of the fabric.

(This may not be an acceptable use of fabric 
to the "fabric or quilt police"
so please don't call them - it's our little secret.)


On the left is the top side of the fabric, and on the right the under side,
a soft pastel floral design,
the perfect coordinate for the backing and binding of this quilt.


&&&&&&&

I've accepted a new scrappy block challenge 
Check out the challenge 
and the lovely quilts that are made and donated by
members of her church's quilt ministry.
They are a talented, giving group of ladies!
"Thanks for using your gifts to comfort people in need."

&

I'm also linking up with AmandaJean @ Crazy Mom Quilts.
Her "Finish it up Friday" challenges keep me moving.
"Thanks for the inspiration & encouragement AmandaJean."


Next up.......laundry & then more sewing ;)
Carolyn





10 comments:

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Oh yes, a feeling of spring in this quilt for sure. Great brick quilt and hey, it's yours, so you flipped the fabric - you are not alone with that so no worries. Congratulations on a beautiful finish.

Karen said...

I love the brick quilt. I will add this to my to make list. I always have scrapes. Your quilting is awesome.

Melanie said...

What a beautiful quilt! How nice that it was make entirely from your stash!

Anonymous said...

Love your brick quilt! You are so right about 2 sides to your fabric. Great tip for applique too! What blends with that green...well...that green's other side!

Thanks for participating in the block challenge too! Can't wait to see your block!
Shannon

Sue Daurio said...

Wow, great fabrics to pull from the stash for this one. It's just wonderful, soft and delicate. I see that swing, the quilt and all I would need is a cup of tea and a good book and it would be pure heaven!!

KatieQ said...

Great idea to flip the fabric over to make use of the softer color on the back side. The brick quilt is lovely.

Amanda Jean said...

what a beautiful quilt! i always love brick quilts and the mortar sashing makes it even better. how clever are you to use the back side of the fabric? it matches the front so beautifully!

thanks for linking up to finish it up Friday!

Abby said...

I love this block quilt. So simple yet so bold! Love the colors you chose.

Diane said...

This is lovely!

Sarah Craig said...

Beautiful quilt, and so smart of you to look at the back side of the fabric for just the right look!! I've done that once or twice myself - once when I needed a grey batiky print, and found it on the back side of a print with spiderwebs on the front! That piece had been languishing in my stash forever - but now it's in a quilt! And I'm so glad you're going to join in the scrap block challenge!! Whoop whoop!!

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