While quilting No. 1, my mom was super supportive and dropped a hint that I needed to make her a quilt next. With her birthday around the corner, I knew it would be the perfect birthday gift. My parents purchased a new home last summer, and they are so proud to show off their home and the decor and design decisions they made while refinishing the home before they moved in. My mom gets cozy in the living room with light green walls, so I went on a fabric hunt with that color scheme in mind. I found Riley Blake’s Gingham Fields collection and immediately knew it was the perfect fit.
Having started with triangles on my first quilt (somewhat of a mistake), I wanted to switch it up and chose to do squares. MUCH SIMPLER. I wanted a more timeless design, so I came up with a nested block pattern and alternated the center square across the quilt. I chose 3” squares nested in a 5×5 block (little did I know then, this is an ambitious choice) with a line of contrast in between each block (I found out later, this is called “sashing”). The quilt top is 667 3” squares and was no small feat to cut and piece together. For those that know me, you know The West Wing is one of my favorite shows, so I cut all 667 squares while commencing my annual rewatch of the series. I pieced a block at a time as I had the time to do so. This one taught me the importance of an accurate 1/4” seam considering if it’s off, everything becomes crooked.
As I worked on this quilt, I found myself gaining more confidence and skill with each piece I stitched together. The challenge of bringing my design to life pushed me to improve my technique and pay closer attention to detail. I discovered new tools and tricks to help with precision, and the process of assembling the quilt top became a fulfilling journey of learning and growth. The more I worked, the more I appreciated the artistry and dedication that quilting requires.
Selecting the fabric and seeing the colors come together was one of the most enjoyable parts of the project. The Gingham Fields collection brought a fresh, vibrant feel to the quilt that perfectly matched my mom’s living room decor.
When I finally completed the quilt and presented it to my mom, she was thrilled. Seeing her wrap herself in the quilt, cozy and content, was incredibly rewarding. It was more than just a birthday gift; it was a piece of home, crafted with care and filled with memories of the time spent creating it. Every time I see it at the house, I smile. Plus, every now and then I can snuggle up underneath it too! With most of my initial projects being gifted to my family, I look forward to see how long these quilts last and who all they are treasured by. Each project, with its own story and significance, can become a cherished part of our family history.
No. 2 – Specs.
- Size: Throw – 62″ x 76″
- Top Design: Krafty Threads Custom Design
- Top Fabric: Riley Blake’s “Gingham Fields”
- Threads: Gütermann 100% Cotton 1105 Cream (Piecing) Gütermann 100% Cotton 8640 Very Dark Green (Quilting)
- Batting: Pellon 100% Natural Cotton
- Backing Fabric: Minky Dot in Olivine
- Binding: Wright’s Double Fold in Sage
- Quilting Style: Centered(ish) Straight Line
- Machine: Singer Heavy Duty 6800C
