old tricks
you've seen it before. and you'll likely see it again (but only in the background, i promise). . . my go-to quilt for giving when i have procrastinated to the point of panic. like this year when, three days before christmas, i was still without a gift for my brother, who lives in california. with one day at my disposal, i needed something that i knew would turn out well, so this quilt was it.
i love this project for four reasons: first, it's fast (one day). second, it doesn't require a lot of thinking or quilting know-how beyond basting properly (i came up with this scheme shortly after coming up with the no-knit scarf). third, it's so so flexible- depending on three simple choices of color you can completely alter the feel of the blanket so it works for babies as well as grown men and their families. and fourth, it looks great fresh out of the dryer- all the tiny little spaces between the countless quilted lines are perfect for those great quilt-y wrinkles.
oh! and a fifth reason too, it gives me a chance to run in to the ever charming purl patchwork and choose from their great selection of solids, something i truly appreciate after visiting several shops in which solids have been badly (if not totally) neglected. hooray for purl, hooray for my old standby quilt and the postal service that can deliver it 3000 miles away less than 24 hours after shipping. (and here's to you for tolerating yet another show and tell of the regurgitated fruits of my procrastination!)
Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 06:00AM
Reader Comments (34)
Your talent completely BLOWS.ME.AWAY.!!! Do you hear me screaming all the way across the internet? :0) Really, that quilt is divine, and last minute? Amazing. I especially love the colors you chose, bravo!
hi there, just wanted to pop in and say that i came across your blog thru another [i can't remember who!] and i love this post! can you post more info on how to make this quilt?!
fantastic quilt! and a man's quilt too...that rocks! great colours and i am thinking i may need to try one out for my own brother too. happy new year by the way! x
ooh- ooh, do I get one next year??
Katie! That is one great quilt. I think I need one in my life! How on earth do you find time to do these things with three kids? Hopefully I will figure it out.
I am amazed yet again. I had a few last minute home made gifts this year too, but I never feel mine are worth showing off. I'm actually always nervous about actually giving them away. I strive to be you!
*hugs*
P.S. I love the new Monday idea and Chips drawing.
I love your blog! Thanks for sharing your creativity and your lovely family. I love this quilt! I have never made a quilt but now you have inspired me to give it a try! THANKS! I would love to read more on how you made this quilt!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
and i say big hooray for you! and your creativity.
i just fell in love with this blanket and want one. do you have an etsy shop? I would highly recomment opening one and putting a variety of colors of this blanket in there and see them fly fast out of your shop.
love it! you have great taste. and talent.
I am very grateful to have been gifted with one of your last minute projects last year! It would take me a year to do what you finish in the 3 days before Christmas...
Would you mind sharing what specific fabric line/colors you used? I don't live near Purl but I eye their collection of solids online all the time! Everything looks so great, but it's hard to pick a solid based on what you see on your computer screen. I'd love to hear what you picked when you saw everything close-up.
Oh Katie and your 24 hour quilts! I love that you can make something that beautiful in a day, and that my quilts take me about a year to actually complete. And I'd love to know how you are doing that with 3 kids. Amazing.
ok, no fair- you can't post such a great idea without telling exactly how you did it! i'm just getting into quilting and i'd love to try this!!
how on earth are you able to make a QUILT in a day?! you are amazing. that would seriously take me probably about a year and a half.
xx
I'm with Liz above, an Etsy shop is just calling out for your handmade goodness...I would be first in line with wads of cash stuffed in my fists...well, I exaggerate, but really you have mad crafting skills! And thank you so much for getting back to me about hanging the branches, mine are drying out after the torrential storms we've been having, but as soon as they are ready to go I too shall be boughed...
Some things never change... but once again, you pulled a "McEuen" as your Uncle Bryce used to call our family's "last minute successes"! A stressful way to go though! :) But good job girl. Love ya.
Really, how did you make this quilt in one day?!?! It's beautiful. You must give us a tutorial/pattern. Don't forget to include how you managed to get it done with 3 children tugging at your skirt. You're inspiring. Thanks.
Hi! This was the first time I stopped by at your blog and I immediately fell in love with that quilt. I like the three-color idea. Making a quilt is one of the things I'd like to do this year (among the many other things) and this one seems totally manageable to me as a project (I like immediate result...). Thank you for the inspiration you gave me!!
love this. I found you through brooke. how are you, chip and fam doing? would love to hear more on how you made this and I"m trying to make a quilt for Atticus who is growing out of his bedding.
Yes, please help us novice quilters and share your technique!! The quilt is so MODERN and simple which is why I love it. Like other commenters, I'd love to make this for my son and my husband! Thanks for the inspiration.
LOVE it! Question: did you quilt it on your regular sewing machine? Or do you have a quilting machine? I'm really hoping you did it on your regular machine so that maybe I could make one too. Talk about some creative ju-ju! Send some of that my way!
you are all too kind, thank you. if i can find a calm day next week, i'll do a little tutorial.
andi: you're in luck! i did it all on my little janome sewing machine! all you need is a walking foot and you're set.
anne: i know what you mean about never knowing for sure from the swatches online. it is so much easier to choose (and really know what you're getting!) in person. . . here's what i chose for the quilt:
light side: kaffe fassett shot cotton in ecru (i LOVE the shot cottons)
dark grey side: p+b color spectrum in charcoal
binding: not positive since i bought this two+ years ago, but i think it is kona cotton in orange.
That is such a cool quilt. How long did it really take you to make?
Thanks Katie! I can't wait to find a free day (okay, free of other projects that are already on my list!) to make one myself. Unfortunately, that may not happen for a while. But you've totally inspired me!
This is perfect. I have a 3 year old quilt top in my closet I've been ignoring because it talks down to me whenever I get it out and makes me feel all insecure.
Now I can totally kick its butt. I love this. Thank you!