summer of quilts

For all the sewing that I've done, this is the only quilt I've ever made. There have been a few wall hanging quilt-like things. But this is the only blanket quilt, I think - one that has to actually DO something. I made it in the final months of my pregnancy with Adelaide (blogged here). It's held up better than I thought it would, but in heavy rotation with many other beautiful blankets and quilts (she's a lucky girl), this one hasn't seen much washing (the binding is a little sketchy - I think lots of washing would really wear it out).

Anyway, like Blair (how gorgeous is her new quilt?), I've always wanted to have handmade-by-me quilts on all of the beds in the house. Currently, the boys have a Nana-made quilt (which I would love to use in rotation so as to 'save' it for them), and we have a variety of not-quite-right vintage comforters and spreads for our bed. So I hereby declare this summer the Summer of the Quilt(s) - yes plural, because I'm crazy.

They're all started to some degree or another (yes, really...four quilts - Ezra's is pictured above, ready to be pieced). I have such enormous respect for quilters, and I'm both in awe of and intimidated by the process. I think I get the construction okay, and I'm heavily armed with all the best books and resources I could need. It's the color thing that I get hung up on, and then the quilting part that freaks me out - getting the bulk through my machine, or handquilting the whole dang thing without messing it up too badly. But I'm motivated to plow through it - now that I've mentioned it to Ezra (he helped picked out some of his fabric. Oh my. That was interesting.), he asks me nearly every hour if his quilt is done yet, and when, exactly, I think it might be done. Nothing like a four year old's beautiful anticipation to get over some silly adult intimidation in a hurry, huh?

So. Let the Summer of Quilts begin. I'm ready.

Comments

[katharine]

I started quilts for both of the girls this spring, which is to say Fred's has been pieced and Fin's looks lovely in its pile of fabric. Fred picked all her own fabric (all flannel) and it is great. I never would have picked it but she was right, it suits her perfectly.

Good luck with the quilting, all of it.

[earthchick]

Awesome. I look forward to following your summer journey. I have been ramping up to starting my first quilt this summer and am psyched.

p.s. A's quilt blankie is utterly gorgeous.

[liz elayne]

the colors are gorgeous. i can't wait to see the summer of quilts in progression! so far i have only been brave enough to patchwork tote bags...a quilt will be soon i am sure...

[Sarah]

I find the idea of starting a quilt really comforting. I also love the fact that you are putting your efforts into keeping someone you love warm and protected. Good luck with all four!

[Ella]

wow! 4 quilts. That is ambitious. Right on! i have the contributions of a Community Quilt for my son that has been on the sidelines for about 2 years now. I am more than intimidated to piece it together so i think those pretty little wall quilts might be good practice before committing to the big one. i look forward to seeing what you create. From what i see Ezra's pieces look like a great color combination.

[carol]

you and blair and melissa (all buttoned up) have totally motivated me to do the same...I think I am putting all clothing hopes/projects away and start cutting out blocks and oh, a trip to buy more fabric...yes!

[UNIFORM Studio]

That little pile of squares makes me happy:)

[Hope]

I need to attempt a quilt. Good luck on your Summer O' Quilts.

[colleen]

it never occurred to me that you weren't a quilter. you'll be fine as there's no real wrong way to put fabric together and you have such cool taste in fabric. and your bernina will plow through the whole thing with no problem. i, too, am determined to make two quilts this summer, as i've been distracted by trying to make clothes, skirts, bags, etc. can't wait to see your progress! have fun.

[lera]

Good luck. I can't wait to see it.

I recently just started my first quilt. I have the top pieced together and now I'm too afraid to quilt it. It's been sitting for a couple of weeks now. Waiting to be finished.

[colleen]

p.s. you might look at smallhand.blogspot for endless inspiration. that woman seems to turn out a new quilt every month and i love her quilts.

[Emily]

it's my summer of quilt (singular) too. I'm in charge of wedding-quilt making this time around -- for the sister who's usually the wedding-quilt maker, so the stakes are high! I was excited to find an awesome (and not very technically complicated) idea from the great pile of patterns at quiltville.com. How amazing is the scrappy bargello? (http://quiltville.com/scrapbargello.shtml) I've used this trip-around-the-world technique before, and it is the speediest thing for making strips of patchwork...

[Josie]

Hurray for quilts. Can you ever have too many? I think I am going to set myself the challenge of making a queen size quilt for my bed...not sure I'll finish it in one summer though. Good luck.

[Lisa Clarke]

That's ambitious! I would love to make a quilt or two, but I just learned to sew two weeks ago, and I'm not sure I'm ready for that kind of challenge just yet... I'm looking forward to seeing your progress! Maybe you'll inspire me to just get over my trepidation and do it.

[Blair]

That first picture is the first thing I saw this morning when i sat down at the computer, oh! that is such a sweet image. I love your summer of quilts idea and can't wait to see the result. I told Emma the other night when I was tucking her in that now I can hug her all night. She seemed very comforted by that idea.

You're going to turn out some beautiful "hugs". : )

[Sarah]

My grandmother was an amazing quilter and made many during her lifetime. Unfortunately, I never learned from her. It makes me sad. Recently my 8 year-old daughter made her first quilt--a lap quilt. It's more than I've done. She now wants to make a big one. I guess some things skip generations. I, too, am in awe of quilters and am a little intimidated by the whole idea. Sarah

[Amy]

Really? Only one quilt? I'm surprised. But I am sure they will all be wonderful. My advice on the quilting thing is to chose a batting that doesn't need to be quilted close, pull your layers tight and pin and then just don't stress out about it. Just do some straight line diagonals or something without marking and go. All your wonderful fabrics will make up for anything and no one else will ever notice. Can't wait to see the quilts. Hooray for the summer of quilts.

[Buddhini Ekanayake]

This was my first visit to your blog... I enjoyed reading your posts I really admire your sewing projects. they are so beautiful :)

[Jenna]

I love that you are taking on a quilt challenge this summer. Reading through your readers comments it looks like many of us are doing the same. I just finished a baby quilt for my new baby, have an unfinished top, and I totally feel like making one for my own bed. Yea for Summer of Quilts!

[Priscilla]

Welcome to the quilting world. It is truly an addiction. In quilting, you are only limited by your imagination. There is no "correct" way, there are no quilt police. Just make a quilt that makes you happy. I am betting that soon you will not be the only one piecing and quilting in your home.

[Sarah]

How exciting to have a project laid out for the summer. I look forward to seeing your progress!

[melody]

Wow, you are ambitious. Good for you!!! I've been thinking about making quilts for our beds for awhile too. I, also, made one for my oldest daughter in a pre-birth fit of craftiness and insanity. I've really been wanting to make a king sized postage stamp quilt for my bed (my daughter's have lovely bedding even if I didn't make it and lots of gifted quilts) and have been saving scraps for years... hmmm, maybe you'll inspire me to get started. ...back to working on the Little House on the Prarie birthday dresses.

[annette]

I've got to show you my mother's quilts someday! She started pretty traditional but went off into art-quilts (while still churning out bedspreads and tablecloths), and I've got them all over my home -- a fabulous reminder. Been meaning to ask -- how do you transfer the kids' drawings to fabric for embroidery? I've got a little project in mind...

[Dawn]

It is my dream to make a quilt. I have books too but so far the time thing is my problem. Oh...your quilts are going to be amazing!!! Can't wait to see them. Happy Quilting. xoxo

[Heather]

Your quilt for Adelaide is maginificent! Quilting is my passion. My motto is "just do it!" I have seen folks get really hung up in the design process. There are no right or wrongs and it will look terrific, I promise. I agree with Coleen and Amy's comment... and I'm going to throw some more advice your way. Your bernina has a "patchwork foot" option that is exactly 1/4 inch. This makes it so easy to get it perfect and zip on through. That attention to perfection pays off later when you're putting the blocks together... trust me. Also, I think sticking with straight line quilting is the way to go and your Bernina has a great, but pricey walking foot option. You could also just buy the shank adaptor that makes any low shank walking foot work. (A walking foot when quilting also saves you from lots of frustration when it comes time to quilt!) My favorite quilt shop had a saying in it... A BED WITHOUT A QUILT IS LIKE A SKY WITHOUT STARS. What a wonderful summer project! It's lovely cause you can work on it for 5 minutes at a time and pick up where you left off without much thought. Have fun!

[Grace]

Your corners match up so neatly! I pieced the top of a doll quilt last night (first solo quilting project), and despite being (what I thought was) careful, my corners turned out all wonky. I am leaving it, of course, because ... well, I'm lazy. And it's for dolls. But I really must work on that skill! Love your sublime stitching veggies, and love the idea of the summer of quilts! Ezra's quilt squares are beautiful!

[Lauren]

I have thought about making a quilt. But the piecing together and the actual quilting always intimidate me.

Maybe I will try someday...

[Catherine]

Have you ever checked out Yarnstorm - her quilts are amazing and loads of thought goes into the design. I'd love to have a go but feel a little intimidated!!

[Valerie]

Wow, go you! I love the one in the picture, the colors are just right and the embroidery is adorable. I can't wait to see your finished products, I'm sure they will be beautiful just like everything else you make. I hope you comment on the process, I would be interested to know what parts were hardest for you.

[Amber]

Good luck with your wonderful goal! Quilts are one of life's pleasures.

The quilt in the picture is so wonderful! I want to include embroidery on my quilts now but I've wondered how it would hold up---it looks like yours has done well...

[Jennifer]

You did too make a quilt!! That beautiful photo quilt for your Meme, just a little while back. And those patchwork picnic cloths were just like quilts, without batting. See- you are just sneaking the quilting in under other names!

I enjoy reading your blog every day but have not posted more than one or two comments. I am changing that! Thank you for the daily inspiration and laughs. I enjoy it thoroughly!

[Jennifer]

I forgot to say I am quilting right now too- I am doing a baby quilt for our new niece and a matching dolly quilt for her big sister. I am doing a strip quilt like the one at happythings
http://happythings.typepad.com/happythings/2007/05/foundation_piec.html
I like this idea because I don't have to line up corners and such! It's all crazy and uneven and it is supposed to be that way. My kind of project!

[SOULEMAMA]

Oh my gosh, Jennifer! How can I not count that one as a quilt? You're right. ;)

[diana]

Love the idea of a handmade quilt on every bed. I need to get my sewing skills up to snuff so I can do the same.

[janet clare]

I made my son an applique quilt for his 3rd birthday (on my blog - Joe's farm quilt) and involved him as much as possible. I was pleased with the results but he has NEVER had it on his bed! He just will not have anything to do with it at all!
Get those quilts made quick, while they are still keen!

[Adina]

Good luck! I love quilts. I have one for my baby girl (14 months old now) all pieced and sandwiched, but not quilted. And one for her bed when she moves out of ours that is pieced. I love quilting, I just need more time to do it! Having them on the bed is wonderful.

[Rani]

My God! You are so stinkin' inspiring! I have a stash of cut squares just looking at me! UGH! The embroidery makes yours absolutely fantastic. Can't wait to see what you come up with next!!

[Julie]

I love Adelaide's quilt...can't wait to see your summer results!

[jen]

what a beautiful photo! i love the quilt and can't wait to see what the summer brings for you!

[Qalballah]

Quilts. I have my mind set on so many but other things just seem to be more urgent. *sigh* maybe if I start one now it will be ready for winter....

[Jen]

Check out my quilt I just finished if you have some time! Inspired me to make some more...

[sara]

I have the same problem with color and quilting. I have a stack of cut up quilt squares and pieces to prove it.

Adelaide looks lovely under that beautiful quilt.

[ellen]

I am looking forward to seeing the four of them finished! You always do a great job!

[Mama Urchin]

Can't wait to see them!

[Frank]

Such BEAUTIFUL fabrics! Ezra has great taste. Can't wait to see it finished!

[Veronica TM]

what a wonderful goal for the summer!

[amy h]

Four quilts? Wow! That will be something. Go for it! I am currently at about 16 months on quilt #1. But I'm slow. :)

[sarah]

How funny! I've just been purusing some quilting blogs myself and wondering if I was brave enough to try one. I never knew that machine quilting existed, and I was wondering how these women were cranking out so many quilts so fast. Now that I know you can machine quilt... Well I might dabble as well! can't wait to see what you do, I'm sure it will be stunning!

[brit]

wow. truthfully I didn't read the 48 comments that are here before me so if I'm redundant I'm sorry but I love this idea. Summer of the quilts! I also love the idea of a homemade quilt on each of my kids bed (and a new one for me) If only I could stop making quilts for everyone else! Addicting.

I declare this Summer, Summer of the Quilts...maybe there should be a flickr group.

Beautiful work as always.

[Lisa K.]

I love the sweet photo of Adelaide!
The quilt is so sweet! Love the colors, the embroidery, the fabric.
Good luck with your personal challenge.