I think I’m possessed. What else can possibly explain the fact that I’m laying in bed at 12:52 and thinking these totally-foreign-for-me words: “I’m so excited about my quilt I can hardly sleep.” Seriously. The only explanation is some sort of unbeknownst-to-me lobotomy. I’m the girl who loves to use iron-on hem tape to make curtains and crib skirts (here, here, and here). I’m the girl who whined for about 2,000 words about just how cursed I am when it comes to sewing (here). Can I really be the girl who can’t sleep because of a quilt? Insanity.
But I am. Here’s what I’ve been up to. And it is by no means the right way to do this. I went rogue for sure. I don’t know proper form or correct terms and didn’t even take a class or read a book about quilting. I just took it one this-might-work step at a time and held my breath a lot. So to all of you fancy quilting experts, please don’t snort too loudly with laughter when you see how it all went down for me. I just made it with love. And a bit of wonkyness for good measure. You know, just so it’s obvious that it wasn’t made in a factory. Haha. It’s perfectly imperfect and then some. But I love it so much I can’t sleep. Total shocker. Anyway, on to the crazy feel-my-way-along-as-I-go process. It all started when I came across this gorgeous quilt and was immediately inspired.
I’ve always wanted to use all of the mixed and matched fabrics from Clara’s weekly photo project to create some sort of crazy birthday quilt…
… but I knew it had to be pretty darn simple for me to even have a prayer of pulling off my own wonky version of it. But the un-lined-up corners and white stripes interspersed with different textures and prints had me at hello. This I could do. Maybe. And if not it might not kill me to try, just to learn that it’s not quite within my skill level yet. So I trecked out to JoAnn Fabric and used one of those 50% coupons I always get in the mail to get two yards of white quilt-ish fabric for just $8 (the kind with a quilted cotton front and some thin batting already sewn into it on the back). I figured it would work as the white striped fabric between each strip of textured and printed fabric from Clara’s weekly shots and also as the backing for the entire quilt.
Then I washed all of the weekly fabric along with the new white quilted fabric so it was all nice and soft (and pre-shrunk). Then I had to iron a bunch of it because it was all ganked up from the washing process. Boo. That took a while but you know I did it in front of the TV at night after putting Clara to bed, right? Then I parked my butt on the sectional and cut out three inch by twelve inch strips of each of Clara’s weekly backdrops (except for some which weren’t fabric at all like the yellow rug, the shower curtain, the moving box, and a few other non-fabric items we tossed in there). When it came to the three inch width, I wasn’t exact with that since I liked the not-all-the-same-or-lined-up-look of my inspiration quilt from Pinterest). And I left out some of the crazier fabrics that I knew wouldn’t work that well so I was left with 27 different strips of around 3″ x 12″ fabric (I ditched things like the crunchy gold New Years fabric since I knew it wouldn’t be soft and cuddly like the rest of the blanket). And nobody loves a scratchy blanket. Especially the bean.
Then I cut out 30 three-inch-wide-by-12-inch-long strips of my white fabric. Those 30 strips left me with about two thirds of my yardage of white fabric to use for the backing, which was a pretty happy accident. Then I kept my arse firmly planted on the sofa and just started pinning away (one white strip got pinned to one printed strip, which got pinned to another white strip, and so on – for a striped look).
Nineteen strips made up each row (nine patterned ones alternated between 10 white ones)…
… which I would then sew together (using straight invisible seams from the back of the fabric, which I learned are the easiest kind from making my Sue pillows).
After creating three super long strips that were each about a foot wide and three feet long, I then laid all three of those super long rows next to each other to create this three foot by three foot square that looked pretty reminiscent of my inspiration quilt. I was shocked. It was kind of coming together. This is when I started entertaining the idea that my brain had been switched with a stranger’s.
Note: I originally considered straggering the printed strips like some of the rows on the inspiration quilt (theirs line up sometimes and don’t other times) but I laid it out on the floor the staggered way first and it looked too busy for my liking since my stripes were thicker and most of them had large-scale patterns so it looked kinda cluttered. I then laid them out in the above long stripes (instead of staggering them) and liked the clean and simple look a lot better. So that’s how the front pattern came to be.
This is the point at which I stood and stared at that giant not-perfect-but-pretty-great striped patchwork-ish square of baby blanket happiness for about an hour. I was in total shock that I hadn’t sew-cried or screamed into a pillow yet. Next it was time to iron down all of my seams on the back since I’ve heard that after stitching fabrics together a huge part of making non-bunchy quilts is to iron the back seams so they lay flat (because once those back seams are covered with quilt backing, it’s not exactly easy to iron them flat).
Then after each row was ironed so the back seams laid flat, I pinned one row to another row (with the ugly side out, so once it was stitched the seam would be invisible from the front)…
… and after a quick pass through Oh Brother (my trusty sewing machine) I was left with this:
And may I just say that my sewing machine is so great (it’s a Brother XL2600I that I found on Amazon for $89 with great reviews that I affectionately call Oh Brother). It was all totally user error that was tripping me up in the beginning and I would definitely recommend it. So far at least. It might revolt on me next week. You never know…
Then I repeated that process and added another row (which I again pinned from the back and stitched so the seam was invisible from the front).
That big smile above is what proud looks like. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t a) sewn my finger, b) created a giant nest of string like I did during my first sewing attempt, and c) thrown a maimed quilt on the floor and stormed out of the room. Holy bananas. My plan was actually working. And I wasn’t even cursing.
Here’s the back-view (also note that Burger is kindly showing you a chihuahua back-view):
After I ironed those new back seams that I had just created by joining those three long rows, I took the backing and the front of my quilt and faced the good sides towards each other on top of each other (so it was like a sandwich with the good stuff in the middle). Then I pinned around three of the four edges and I used my sewing machine to stich around them while keeping it all inside out like this. Yup, I basically made a giant pillow sham just like I did here with my Sue pillows. I even stitched a bit of the fourth side closed on each end (leaving just the middle portion open so I could flip things right-side out again.
Then I flipped it right-side-out and hand stitched the unsewn middle of the last edge closed (with my butt parked on the sofa in front of the TV of course):
It was definitely starting to look quilt-like, but it was sort of like a pillowcase that had been stitched closed with nothing in it. If you pulled on the backing with one hand and the quilted front with another hand, you could balloon the whole thing out since nothing was holding them together except for the stitching around the edges. So here’s where I actually started to feel like I was quilting. I also started to sweat profusely because I was about to dive into seams that show on both sides of the quilt. No more hidden seams done from the inside. I actually had to stitch down from the top of each white row of strips to the bottom, and the little white seam would definitely be exposed, so any ganked up thread or knotted nests of string would ruin the whole effect in a hot minute. And I would probably have had a full blown meltdown after all that work if things suddenly went south. So I gritted my teeth, held my breath, crossed my fingers, decided I needed them and uncrossed them, and tried to take it slow and steady.
Lo and behold, I was left with this.
And I was also left wondering who the heck took over my body and made a friggin quilt. Insane. It’s definitely not perfect, but a week ago I would have bet you a million dollars that I couldn’t ever sew two strips of fabric together, much less make a quilt (albeit an imperfect one). And I actually love it in all of its not-quite-perfect glory. Hopefully that will remind Clara that it was one of my first attempts at sewing, which she brought out in me (because before she was born you couldn’t pay me to use a sewing machine- let alone convince me to buy one and attempt a friggin quilt, but for some reason she made me want to make her something meaningful with all of her weekly fabrics). In case I’m not hitting this hard enough, I am shocked that I actually made a quilt. Seriously, almost speechless.
Oh and in the spirit of Burger sharing his hindquarters above, here’s the finished back-view:
Now I get to give it to Beaner for her b-day and I hope that she’ll always have it and know that her entirely undomestic mom (you think I’m kidding, but John does the cooking and the laundry around here) was possessed by some other-worldy being and whipped up a quilt to commemorate her big one year birthday. I’m not gonna lie, there were some victory laps around the house. And yes, John sang the rocky song while I ran around waving my quilt in the air.
In summation: Word to Oh Brother (yes, I just hit you with a word to your mother slash Brother sewing machine joke). Booyah.
Psst- My jazz hands even excitedly created a new category called “Sew Excited” a la Jesse Spano (get that reference here). So you can see the whopping three posts in there by clicking the Topics tab up near our search bar and scrolling down to find it.
Psssssst- We went Nursery Crashing over on BabyCenter this morning. Get in on the fun here.
Kimberly says
Congratulations! It’s beautiful and Clara will love it for always. What a special first birthday gift!
My only suggestions: keep your seam ripper nearby, a rotary cutter and mat will CHANGE YOUR LIFE, and just keep trying! I was a 100% novice and I started making bags/purses and it took forever, but I did it and then gradually did a bit more and then a bit more…I’m still learning, but hey, aren’t we all? ;-)
jeana says
Ok lady. You’re inspiring me to get out my sewing machine. I bought one in November…I haven’t even opened it yet, I’m so darn intimidated…ha. The quilt is beautiful!
Nicole says
This looks so great! I am very impressed!
Karrie says
Yay! You did it! A good machine makes all the difference. I used to use my mom’s old machine, and it would make me so mad and frustrated. When I was about to make Christmas fabric gift bags (to use instead of gift wrap), I went out and bought myself a new machine! So much less headache.
I made my daughter a small quilt for her when she was a baby too, and hand embroidered on her name and date of birth along with some little flowers etc. I seen someone suggest buying some of those pre-made labels that say Made by Mom with Love, which are great, but you can also make your own too! Here’s a link to a good tutorial. http://dittledattle.blogspot.com/2011/01/fab-friend-friday-fabric-labels.html So cute and easy to do!!
Georgia Rowe says
WELL DONE!!! *round of applause*
it looks so fun! can you start custom orders? – make mine a Hello kitty one! haha :o)
Is the quilt going to be the 52nd week photo?
How do you plan to do the photos from sunday onwards?
Well done again, its lovely! maybe matching pillows for next year? lol
YoungHouseLove says
We already designed that Clara fabric on spoonflower for the 52 weeks shot, so we’re planning to use that (but maybe we should take an extra one of her on the quilt too). As for photos after she turns a year old, we’ll still do them monthly but not weekly (just can’t stop cold turkey!).
xo,
s
Georgia Rowe says
If you were to make a photo book of all the photos it would look cool to take a pic of her on the quilt all birthday partied up with a hat, badge ‘YOUR ONE’ the full works then use that photo as a wrap around cover for the book?
YoungHouseLove says
Cute! That’s always a possibility!
xo,
s
Georgia Rowe says
I think your console table needs a big chunky Clara book to finish it off….
YoungHouseLove says
Fo sho.
xo,
s
Lindsay Macy says
So cute! I hope to one day leap into the sewing world…not quite ready for it yet.
I hope you guys consider using the quilt for the backdrop of Clara’s one year (52 week) picture…since it is a compilation of most of the fabrics…could be cute!
YoungHouseLove says
That would be so sweet! We already designed that Clara fabric on spoonflower though, so we’re planning to use that (but maybe we should take an extra one of her on the quilt too).
xo,
s
Lindsay says
You could use the quilt as a makeshift photo booth background for her party for guests to have their pictures taken in front of.
YoungHouseLove says
We actually have plans to use her Clara fabric (we designed it using Spoonflower) for that! But the quilt needs a spot of honor for sure!
xo,
s
Lindsay says
Ohh yeah! I remember reading that before! Super cute! I loved her Clara fabric!
Janell says
Holy Awesomeness!! I can’t even sew a button back on. Sigh.
JAn Mullis says
My first quilt is named Linus. I love her so much, and I TOTALLY get your obsession. I am not seamstress, but I am so proud of my first 3 quilts. I even did the quilting myself. Congrats- love your quilt. What a treasure.
Adrianne says
Your quilt looks fantastic! It’s beautiful! And I love how much meaning there is behind it with the weekly fabrics!!! It reminds me that I have a t-shirt quilt (made of a bunch of old t-shirts that I never wear, but that have a lot of sentimental value) that has been on hold for quite some time … and I need to finish it. I’m seriously thinking of investing in my own Brother having read your blog posts about it. Clara is one lucky little bean!!!
Christy says
Congratulations Sherry! It looks so good! I have always had bad experiences with sewing machines … but you give me hope!
karen says
Dude…that’s awesome!! You are so competitive with yourself..i love it! You must have been into school sports?!?! Clara will love that quilt.
It’s amazing how kids can change you!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, yes. And never team sports. Always solo (swimming, cross country, track, karate). Isn’t that weird? I think I’ve liked “doing it myself” from an early age. Haha. It’s a miracle I can do projects with John without trying to kill him. Haha. Teamwork is a learned skill I think.
xo,
s
Amy says
Sorry I have to do it but….
“that’s what she said”
I swear Michael Scott bubbles up in me once in a while. =)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, those are always welcome!
xo,
s
Sara B. says
Congratulations on your first quilt. If you want to personalize it a little more, you can take a photo to a photo shop (or maybe even the fabric store), and they can copy it onto a piece of plain cotton — maybe a sweet picture of her as a newborn, or the three of you, and you can stitch it on the back with the date.
Carolyn says
What a special blanket that will be for Clara!!! I’ve had a quilt that my mom made me on my bed for 20 years.
I hope you keep sewing, there are some really easy to make little girl dresses out there and it’s thrifty too. 1 yard for $1 in a remnant bin would make a Clara dress. I always buy fabric for cheap in the remnants or on sale/with a coupon to make cheap skirts and dresses for myself.
Something like this is really simple: http://mummysdress.blogspot.com/search/label/Bandana%20Dress
YoungHouseLove says
So cute!
xo,
s
mindy says
It’s beautiful! You did a great job! <3
Cat@BudgetBlonde says
Sherry – wow – a million congratulations. I’ve been really wanting to try sewing lately. Both my mom and M.I.L. are amazing at it and I’ve always resisted.
Lately I’ve been endlessly blog searching “simple sew elastic skirt” and I want to make like, a bajillion of them for the summer. They should only cost about $5 a piece….
Anyway…. I am super duper impressed and you’ve inspired me today. I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE your quilt! I am so proud of you from a few days ago to this!!!
xoxo
[email protected]
Meredith says
This will be such a treasure!! You are so brave to try something new and keep working on it until you and the tools are getting along.
Slipcovers next, Sherry – Slipcovers next!! I know you can do it!!! Buy a cheapie one somewhere that mostly fits and figure out where you need to tweak (wider/shorter/narrower) and cut it apart and make a pattern. Make it first out of a muslin to make sure your tweaks fit and then…make your own killer apple green slipcovers!!! yay! I can already see them and I am so excited.
Kelley says
I lurrrrve it! Good job, mamma Sherry!
Bailey says
Holy Kanoli! That is amazing! I’ve been debating if I could actually do a similar quilt to this: http://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/coco-dot-nursery-bedding/?pkey=rromnurcoc for my baby girl’s nursery… and a not so crazy price.
You sure gave me the guts to try!
What are you going to do with the rest of her leftover fabric? Or is there not much left for more fun projects?
YoungHouseLove says
I’ve pinned about a million other projects on Pinterest (from a beanbag to a fabric map with each state made from a different print). So cute!
xo,
s
Bri says
Congrats Sherry!!! I knew you could do it! One thing the master quilters tell me (I’m definitely NOT a master quilter) is to label your quilts with the date, your name, the occasion, etc. I think it’s a lovely way to commemorate an event, especially a first birthday!
It can be as simple as taking a fabric marker to a little scrap of fabric and sewing it onto the back, don’t be scared! There are lots of examples online for inspiration too. Happy quilting and happy birthday Clara!
Sara says
I’m so proud of you! To be honest those bright fabrics scared me a little. This is the perfect way to tone them down. I recently made a quilt out of strips too, and like you, feel so proud of my very first quilt. Sewing is addicting. That is, as long as it’s not wearables you’re making that actually have to fit a human body! I’m thinking my next project is one of those ruffled shower curtains in a 84″ length, thanks to your tips about hanging it high. Can’t wait to see your next idea!
Gaidig says
Well done. Way to push on and tackle it, not letting worry get in the way!
I’m not really a quilter, but if you use the same weight fabric for the quilt top, then it will automatically be more consistant. You can still use the “pre-quilted” stuff for the back, and it won’t be as bumpy.
Actually, I think you’re doing well enough that you could try tackling some simple clothes for Clara out of some of the scraps.
Michele says
Gorgeous! I’m so impressed. Clara will treasure it. And now you can say that your hours spent on Pinterest actually resulted in something totally productive!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha I know, right? Imagine that?!
xo,
s
Amy G. says
I love it and know it will be a treasured item for her. I am so happy my mom kept my Holly Hobbie quilt from my childhood because I now use it on my youngest daughter’s bed. It makes me smile.
Wom-mom Ethne says
I’ll do some Jazz hands for you Sherry – this is great! I have a short attention span when it comes to sewing and crafts (ie, I like to quilt, but usually it takes too long and annoys me)- the nice thing about Clara’s quilt is it didn’t take too long for you to make – meaning, for one, that you had fewer opportunities to need your seam ripper. :) We’ve blogged about some of our easy sewing projects if you’re ever looking for more time with Oh Brother. Also, I sewed my finger once. After-the-fact, I think it’s hilarious. At the time, no harm done, but a little blood. ~Ethne
Mel V. says
Yay! You did it! Good for you. Good pick on the pattern, that is so simple and cute!
Stephie says
Good job Sherry!
I also am scared of the sewing machine. I asked for one for my wedding registry and (to my great surprise) someone already bought it for me!! It’s sitting in my living room, untouched. You’ve inspired me to get it off the floor and gets-to-sewing! :)
Amanda says
Thanks for sharing this! I don’t sew. It makes me very frustrated, but I really want to use a “quilt” as my guest book at my upcoming wedding. The thought was to let people leave notes on quilt squares with fabric pens and then sew them together after. The thought of lining up corners and trying to make a quilt scared me though. This quilt would work so much better! It’s imperfections would be the perfect complement to marriage and weddings :) plus the strips would be easier for people to write on! I may have to experiment. I have a sewing machine that is brand new…I’ve always been to afraid to pull it back out.
Heidi Brose says
Watch out! My Mom start quilting at your age and now has not one but TWO rooms devoted to it. One for fabric and one to actually sew. LOL Somehow I did not get that gene, in 8th grade home ec it took me an entire spool of thread to make ONE pair of pants!
Kayla says
Many thoughts….this is such a creative quilt! I’ve sewn a reallllly easy one, but it’s much more square a boring. I’m so proud of you!!!!! Also, dying for my invitation to join pinterest. Literally….dying!
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh try popping over to our Facebook page and asking someone to email you one! It seems to work!
xo,
s
Audra says
In 6th grade I had 6 weeks of Home Ec with the meanest teacher on the planet. We had to make pillows in the shape of our first intial, mine was A. IT IS SO HARD TO SEW AN A! I cried in that damn class as that awful woman berated me because I couldn’t load the thread correctly (it was so confusing!) then I couldn’t feed the fabric with any authority (I didn’t want to sew my finger!). My pillow ended up looking like a paisley blob that vaguely resembled an A. I am sure I still have it. Needless to say I did much better using a saw in Shop Class. Hilariously, after 6th grade they did away with both of those courses at my school and the collective elective option became a class generically named: Technology. Ha.
All this is to say I love the quilt and the weekly portrait fabrics!
Also…where did you get the Vespa looking rocker in the background in one of the above pics? So cute!
YoungHouseLove says
That was a gift from Clara’s grammy! I think she found it online at diapers.com. Clara loves it.
xo,
s
Laurie says
What a great job you did!! My mum bought me a real boss sewing machine 3 years ago, so I could learn to quilt. I still haven’t used it yet because I have been intimidated by the whole learning process. And then you just go and make one!! And it’s great!! It’s just like the old days when people just did stuff without consulting the internet!
Thank you for inspiring me to just sew, darn it, just sew! Very cool! Clara will treasure it forever and likely give it to her first child. Wow! Congrats!
Lauren says
Awesome turn out! I’m wondering how long it took you to finish?
YoungHouseLove says
It probably took me about three or four hours total with the pinning, ironing, sewing, victory dancing, etc. Haha.
xo,
s
Skooks says
You have no idea how much it makes my heart sing to hear the story of a person falling in love with sewing. Seriously. Bliss. :)
Great job on your first quilt. I’m sure she will treasure it forever.
Whitney says
I love it! I know how difficult it is, and how proud you feel! Congrats! I am stealing this idea for the future when I have a bean of my very own! Now Burger needs one…
YoungHouseLove says
It’s true! While I was pinning he kept trying to get under parts of the quilt and I’d have to very sweetly ask him to move because he was sitting on an unfinished corner that I needed. Haha. He deserves one too!
xo,
s
Catherine Jones says
You just got bit by the quilting bug! I don’t sew, but 2 years ago I got hit by a creative wave to QUILT. I used to joke to my friends and say that “I’m embracing my inner 70-year-old Amish woman”. Love your poppy color choices!
Dana says
Congrats on the first quilt! Most people start out with a harder design because it looks good then get overwelmed. I love how you picked something simple and stuck with it! I have to say I love my Janome MO200 and I love quilting! Congrats, Sherry! I hope you make more in the future! You still have quite a bit of fabric left to try again!
Noel says
That quilt looks wonderful, you did a great job! Clara is going to cherish it so much- I bet she brings it to college with her! And she’ll probably love looking at her weekly pictures and finding the fabric strips on the quilt.
On a side note, I started reading through your archives this past weekend and I have to say that your blog is like a book I just can’t put down!
Erin says
What an achievement!
Are you going to sign and date it on the back, or have it embroidered?
YoungHouseLove says
I’m learning that I have to do that (thanks to lots of comment recommendations) so I hope to tackle that soon!
xo,
s
threadbndr says
Sherry, since you’ve already bound it off, you might want to sign the back with a permanent pen – Pigma micro tip pens are often used by quilters for this, since the ink in them is non-acid, archieval quality. Find them at art supply stores.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much for the tip! I’ll check it out for sure!
xo,
s
[email protected] says
oh! Soooo excited for you! My mom had a ton of Gymboree baby blankets from my much younger little brother. Once he outgrew them, we all knew we couldn’t let go of them because they were so soft and amazing and sentimental, so my mom had them all made into a king-sized quilt. To this day, that is the favorite family blanket! :) I’m certain your’s will be just as cherished. :)
Also… you’re not alone with the sewing phobia (though I would argue that you’re almost over it after this feat!), I too have a sewing machine, but have yet to use it. My grandma was a VERY very talented seamstress known for award winning quilts and custom-made clothes. Then there’s my mom, who has whipped up every inch of custom drapery in every home she’s owned… When my granny passed, my mom took on her very technical machine and gave me her more simple one. OK… I really have no excuses now. You’ve motivated me!!! I think I’m going to break out the sewing machine as soon as law school finals are over. :) Thanks Sherry!
Amber says
I bought my brother 1 year ago and haven’t stopped sewing since. I NEVER thought that I would quilt. NEVER. I am 24, about to start my PhD in science and in January I decided to make my first quilt for no reason on than that I love fabric and wanted to use it in creative ways. I just finished quilt #2 for Mother’s day and I am ready to start work on #3.
Dana L. says
Great job. I’m proud of you. I’ve been sewing for most of my life (made very rudimentary barbie clothes with my mom when I was 4 or 5 as my first project, but really got interested when I was a freshman in college 10 years ago) and most of my sewing has resembled your approach. Kind of a trial and error, hope this works, have a seam-ripper on the ready, and figure it out as I go along kinda thing. Each project is a learning experience and you’ll just get better and better. :)
Sew on…
threadbndr says
Careful, the “play room” may become a “sewing room” LOL.
For a great “one stop” quilting book, I recommend Fons and Porter “Quilter’s Complete Guide”. It’s about 15 years old, but still available and pretty reasonably priced on Amazon from re-sellers.
By the way, that style of quilt is often called a “string” quilt. They are fun, aren’t they?
Rachel says
Sherry! Well done! From a fashion design school grad (5 years of sewing!!!), let me tell you-you did a GREAT job! Little Clara will be so happy to have this keepsake that you sweetly crafted for her. BTW, my beloved, late mother-in-law was a quilter extraordinaire, and she used to say this about all her many sewing endeavors: “Good enough is BETTER than perfect, as long as it leaves time for fun!” :)
Rachei says
I totally want to copy! I don’t know though hem tape is hard for me:) I just had a baby girl in Jan and Ive been copying off you, but instead of weekly photos Ive been doing monthly (that’s hard for me:). I love the quilt! You are so talented! My husband hates you guys (jk;) bc I am always inspired by you to do projects. Thanks for the inspiration!!
Claudia says
That looks awesome! I am not a sewer either, actually I am in the same boat as you. But may I be a bit “critical” and “picky” and say: 1) it would have looked more interesting if on each row you had alternated the whites and colored fabrics so that it would follow the same white-color-white fabric but color-white-color pattern and so on; 2) a colored fabric border would have made the quilt look more finished. Just sayin’. Please don’t be hatin’! :)
YoungHouseLove says
No worries! I love my quilt as-is, but I hope that anyone who tackles one at home puts their own spin on it for sure!
xo,
s
Kinsey says
I am so proud of you! I am possibly your opposite as I love to sew but would walk far, far away from trimming trees among other things.
I wanted to let you know that if you put the pins in the fabric perpendicular to the edge you can sew right over them without taking them out (most pins and sewing machines work this way). Or at the very least, they are easier to grab out as you sew. Just a little tip!
Angie says
You did a great job, Sherry. I love this modern take on a quilt. I’ve been wanting to make a quilt out of my son’s baby clothes, but 1) I stink at sewing and 2) I didn’t care for basic squares and I thought that was all I might be able to handle. I’m still not sure if I have the heart to actually cut them yet (and I’m not sure I will be able to work up to that or not), but this is making me reconsidering starting this project.
michelle says
sooooo cute! clara will keep this forever and give it to her kids. I think you should take her last weekly photo on it! great job!
Susan says
Sherry I am so, so, so impressed by this. I’m no sewing expert either (it’s pretty much the only time I curse and beg for backrubs in a whiny voice) but I’ve made a lot of quilts. And as I was reading through the first few steps I thought, oh, no. This is not going to work. And it does! It’s so awesome! I think this is probably so in the spirit of early DIY quilters who just had fabric and needed a quilt and figured something out with love and care and ended up with these amazing works of art. I had pretty much forsworn quilting forever but this is seriously inspiring.
Jyl says
Sherry I want to get you a big high five! You stuck with it, and it turned out pretty darn cute!
I love that high after you persevere through a project and come out victorious. I’m cheering all the way over here for you! Wooo! Clara is going to love it!