My first quilt finish in 2021 is a wrap (ha, love saying that)! This is my OMG for January.
It's actually my third finish, one being my mini for Project Quilting, little hard to wrap up in it, and the other shown on Instagram but not yet blogged, a black scraps sorting box. This, however, is a lap quilt.
Yay for a little sunshine today! The temperatures have been lovely this month, but it's been mostly grey skies.
Aren't the pinks just wonderful? It is such a good colour with which to work in the grey long month of January. This quilt has a bit of a story to it, as is the case with most of my quilts. It is a quilt I designed for one of PQ #11 challenges last year. This one, the third one I've made, is going to Brianne's best friend who is an essential worker. She, like me, absolutely loves Schitt's Creek, but she has been a fan longer than I! Both of us, unbeknownst to the other, think that Brianne is much like Alexis. The quilt is named for one of Alexis's famous sayings, one Brianne and Michele use between them quite often.
I don't think we, as a society, are remembering enough these workers, so this is my way of saying a thank you to another one of them (Smooches 2 went to a nurse). Brianne was surprised and a little touched when I said I wanted to make her friend a quilt. Since pink is her favourite colour, and hearts symbolize hugs and love, I knew right away I'd remake Smooches.
I was going to put a soft tone on tone grey for the top and bottom borders, but Brianne wanted something with a bit more punch, "so it didn't seem like a baby quilt". I gave her three choices, and she chose the Island Batik berry fabric. It was my first thought too, but then the old second-guessing kicked in...
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| The flimsy. That berry batik tones in wonderfully with the other fabrics |
This quilt is also my way of saying thank you to this wonderful person who is a big part of Brianne's life.
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| Loaded onto Avril Wednesday afternoon |
Here is a look at the entire back:
The quilt is 51 1/2" square, so the 43" wide fabric didn't quite make it across. I debated cutting a couple of chunks out of the remaining yard and a bit, but then thought that it would be better to save that length for the backing of a future baby girl quilt, so I pieced a few pink chunks together, three of which are in the front of the quilt, down the side. Add in that nice large label and I had my column complete.
The binding surprised me. I found a great fuchsia, green and orange stripe, but wasn't sure on the orange. I looked through my pre-Island Batik ambassador stack of batiks and found this no-name one, never used but bought because I loved it. Those pink blobs amongst the variety of soft colours were perfect.
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| A look at the beautiful fabrics, and texture from the quilting while I stitch down that beautiful batik binding. |
Isn't it a great binding fabric?
It will be on its way out west shortly! It feels so good to put a checkmark on my PHD Starts in 2021 chart.
Quilt Stats:
Pattern: Original design 'Smooches' (free tutorial is here)
Size: 51.5" square
Fabric: scraps and stash
Backing: 'Vintage Garden' from the Billet-Doux line by Verna Mosquera for Free Spirit Westminster Fibers
Batting: Warm n Natural
Quilted: on Avril; 52 442 (interesting all three Smooches quilts have been in that low 50k range; all three were meandered)
Pattern: Original design 'Smooches' (free tutorial is here)
Size: 51.5" square
Fabric: scraps and stash
Backing: 'Vintage Garden' from the Billet-Doux line by Verna Mosquera for Free Spirit Westminster Fibers
Batting: Warm n Natural
Quilted: on Avril; 52 442 (interesting all three Smooches quilts have been in that low 50k range; all three were meandered)
Threads: pieced with Gütermann; quilted with Exquisite polyester in bubblegum pink (it was perfect over all the colours and even the grey); The Bottom Line by Superior Threads in the bobbin
Linking up
The binding is lovely; I love when you can find just the right finishing touch. I'm sure the quilt is going to be deeply appreciated and I'm all for sending out as much love as we can right now. The world definitely needs it. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteAwesome quilt. She's sure to love it.
ReplyDeleteLovely quilt & with so much thought and love attached. I keep thinking about doing this pattern, bu maybe later in the year as I've so much I want to achieve already. Our essential workers are so important at the moment, I'm sure she'll appreciate it very much. Take care, stay safe & hugs.
ReplyDeleteSmooches is lovely, with all those pinks! I'm sure she will love it and wrap herself up in it! I've been playing 'the old second-guessing' game myself a lot lately. I miss going to my LQS and picking up sale fabrics for backings.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely quilt- and such a caring gesture.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful quilt, with all your love put into again. I am sure it will be treasured.
ReplyDeleteOnce again I appreciate all the thoughts and love you put into your quilt. It’s a beautiful gift!
ReplyDeleteHi Sandra! Love this and love the whole sentiment behind it. I am certain that B's friend will just love it and feel all the love and support you stitched into every fiber. I enjoy quilting hearts and little loops, too. With no exact pattern to follow, it's a stress-free quilting design. Plus, it is perfect-o for Smooches. {{Hugs}} It's a wrap - that is fun to say. ~smile~ Roseanne
ReplyDeleteA thoughtful gift for one of many who deserve so much gratitude from all of us. I don't think we have any idea or comprehension of what those essential workers go through each day, or how utterly exhausting it is, physically, mentally and emotionally. I'm sure this pretty quilt will be appreciated!
ReplyDeleteLove all parts of this--the IB berry, the mystery binding, and especially the hearts and loops quilting. And, of course, honoring an important person in your (and Brianne's) life.
ReplyDeleteAnother delightful quilt made with love and compassion. I'm sure it will be cherished.
ReplyDeletePat
Lovely!! It's the perfect hug for an essential worker. They are so brave to put themselves out there while many of the rest of us can hide away from the alarming world and just do our thing. I also love how you sneaked in a little advice-seeking from B. She just might become a quilter yet. But if not, quilt advisor is good, too. :)
ReplyDeleteReminds me of the poem - I carry your heart. I carry it in my heart. Beautiful and Timely.
ReplyDeleteThe perfect appreciation gift.
ReplyDeleteThis is just perfect - what a way to share a little bit of your heart with someone so special!!! Love it!
ReplyDeleteI’ve loved Smooches from the start! This one is so pretty and definitely not “ baby quilt-ish “. I’m sure your daughter’s friend will be touched! Our daughter is an RN, and often feels unappreciated! So kudos to you, for such a lovely gift!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful quilt and so good of you to make it for one of our hardworking front line workers. Love the beautiful pinks and that top and bottom border is berry yummy. Glad you got some sunshine so your photos could do it justice.
ReplyDeleteYour quilting is the perfect touch. Thanks for joining up to TGIFF.
ReplyDeleteThis quilt looks great in pinks! And that binding fabric is just perfect. I may have to make another one of these quilts, I really like your pattern!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous gift, Sandra! I'm sure it will be appreciated :) I love quilting those meandering hearts, too.
ReplyDeleteYes, pinks are wonderful! I'm so glad you also share their love!
ReplyDeleteYes, the pinks are just wonderful! In fact, the whole quilt is - great choice of border and binding too. Interesting I don't see many quilts with such a bold just top-and- bottom borders, it works so well. A fabulous tribute to an essential worker. Your year has got off to a great start!
ReplyDeleteBrianne' friend will not only appreciate the quilt, she will feel appreciated. Perfect!
ReplyDeleteLove this very grown up version of Smooches. A wonderful and heartfelt gift for Brianne's besty and and all-important essential worker. It is important that we remember to thank these workers as the disaster wears on, as societal shows of gratitude are genuine but generally short lived as people try to get on with things. Thanks for sharing at Clever Chameleon.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilt! Thanks for linking up with Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal and congrats on your finish!
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