A Quilt A Day

March 15, 2010

One-block wonder.

Filed under: baby, blocks, stars — jennicakes @ 5:26 pm

I’ve written already about my love of quilts made up of a single block, by which I meant a single block, repeated many times in a grid to make a big quilt top. (Or an equally awesome not-so-big quilt.)

Today I’m going to add another entry to that distinguished group, which I can only describe as a wholecloth with single floating star block. Or perhaps it’s technically a star quilt, with white borders that can be measured in feet or meters? Take your pick:

Lone Star toddler quilt

I love this vintage-looking quilt by Me? A Mom? to pieces. It was sized for a toddler bed, which makes it seem especially genius to me. I know I often get excited about the idea of going whole hog and spending months and years on that perfect set of 49 (or more) hugely intricate blocks for that special, once-in-a-lifetime quilt, but let’s be practical here. If you responsibilities go beyond crafting for a small child into the realm of, say, caring for a small child, you just don’t have the kind of time to make dozens of spiderweb blocks every time your little one outgrows a piece of furniture.

Unless you do, in which case you are a superhero, and I’m not sure I want to be talking to you.

At any rate, there’s something to be said about a quilt that seems to speak to its function. The simplicity of all that white coupled with the the jaunty color placement just screams childhood to me, even though there’s plenty of adult appeal here. And while I admire lots of fancy handiwork as much as anybody, it’s a breath of fresh air to see a quilt that isn’t too labored.

I can see this quilt getting lots of love in the future. Better yet, I can see it getting lots of love now.

March 12, 2010

Cabin quartet

Filed under: blocks, flickr, log cabins — jennicakes @ 3:29 pm

I’ve been spending a lot of time over at Quilted Nest, because the only thing better than lots of great quilt pics are lots of great pics of quilts in cozy homes.

Preferably with kitties.

my brother's quilt

La vida compartida calls this “my brother’s quilt,” and it really is prefect for a guy. The simple lines and strong colors are masculine without reverting to the old “blue is for boys” trope. And the log cabins are GORGEOUS – it’s nice that they’re small in number, so that the cute hodgepodge of fabric can really be appreciated in one eyeful.

Speaking of cute fabric, I love the styling with these pillows. They really complete the look without femming things up too much.

And then there’s the kitty. Yay, kitties!

March 11, 2010

Lattice & nines.

Filed under: doll quilt, flickr — jennicakes @ 7:03 pm

SewingmamasDollquilt

I adore this quilt by myittybittyquilts, and this setting for wonky nine-patches. As a matter of fact, I quite like wonky nine-patches after making a bunch for this top. It has the cute, simple quality of a nine-patch, but the altered proportions make it really fun. They work especially well for this setting because the white is relegated to the setting squares, and the fabrics in the blocks are of similar value.

Here’s another with this setting. You can see how this configuration works with a bunch of different themes and color schemes. It would also look great with a solid, or even print, setting squares.

Stay tuned – I can see this become a trendy quilt, and with good reason.

March 10, 2010

Let’s Celebrate!

Filed under: applique, doll quilt, flickr — jennicakes @ 7:01 pm

This sweet celebration quilt was Lisa Michelle’s entry into DQS8, and I’m so excited to be posting it on the birthday of one of my oldest friends!

"Celebration Quilt" DQS8

I think a celebration quilt is a heck of an idea. We make quilts for holidays, and to give as gifts, but what about to honor birthdays and anniversaries? I know a quilt is a lot of work just to be displayed for one day. But is there a more special way to celebrate?

March 9, 2010

Tutorial Tuesday: Kawaii Ironing Board Cover

Filed under: fabric, flickr, tutorial — jennicakes @ 6:00 pm

Confession time: this cute doggie may have influenced me to invite this photo to the A Quilt A Day pool.

Look at what Mama made...

Right?

Luckily for all of us, quilter and chihuahua-mom Julia Bravo followed up with a tutorial for this project, which, when the dog was removed, turned out to be an ironing board cover.

Not a quilt, per se, but something you’ll need if you’re going to be doing any quilting. And it’s patchwork! Squares, no less, which is turning out to be the unofficial theme of this week. Squares that are a great reminder to come up with a project to use all the kawaii fabric I’ve been hoarding.

Make your own here.

March 8, 2010

Drumroll, please.

Filed under: etsy, flickr — jennicakes @ 6:10 pm

After a full weekend of deliberation, I have settled on the revolutionary idea of… squares!!!

I know, I know. But as Stephanie said in comments, “You can’t go wrong with keeping it really simple and letting the fabrics just show themselves off.” And I do love a good, simple quilt.

I referred to some of my most favorite quilt books for inspiration, including the gorgeous Material Obsession, which features, among other things, instructions for Gypsy Squares.

It’s a pattern I could have figured out on my own, but if I hadn’t referred to this glorious book, I never would have discovered Sarah Fielke’s description of “one block… one gorgeous quilt, one that’s on my bed and is still my favorite one of all time.” Because, really my needs are so simple: a quilt I can make quickly, before a big move. Bright, beautiful colors to match my delicious green bed. Wide enough to cover me, my man, and the teeny tiny kitty who always manages, in the middle of the night, to hog a full third of the mattress.

Anything more than that seems like overkill.

The clincher, though, was this:

afinal a minha maquina...

Rose e Chocolate finished her first quilt! And it’s all squares! And it’s BEAUTIFUL! Judging by the cute items in her etsy shop, I’m sure this is the first of many. And years from now, it could still be her favorite.

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