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:
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.
Andover has several really cute lines of kid-friendly fabric, including The Very Hungry Caterpillar collection that weepereas used for this quilt:
How sweet is that?
I’d love to see this trend continue to include even more of my childhood favorites. The obvious downside is the sheer number of childhood favorites I have!
I want to end the week on a good note (who doesn’t???), so here’s a dose of true cuteness:
Vintage bluebird quilt, photo by Jaspenelle of Paganites. There was a time I wasn’t wild about tied quilts, and now I’m not sure why. Maybe because ties are sort of casual and playful? And, wonderful as that is, casual doesn’t go with every quilt top.
These blue birds, however, are perfect candidates for ties. The yarn looks wonderful with the embroidered detail on the birdies, and I can just imagine each little knotted length blowing in the breeze. Ties aside, these solid colors are so simple and stunning. Even the white binding, which I normally don’t care for, adds such lightness and freshness.
Love, love, love. I hope some part of your weekend looks even a little bit like this quilt.
Yeah, I know – bad pun.
Good quilt, though. Seriously good flippin’ quilt, made by Kindred Crafters and found in the Doll Quilt Swap Pool.
Looking at the way the colors have dictated the size of this quilt, I’m having a major now-why-didn’t-I-think-of-that moment. To my mind, rainbow quilts are always huge, stripey extravaganzas. I need to rethink that.
I love this layout. Almost the simplest one possible, when you think about how hexes fit together, but the way they stagger, sweetly, adds so much life. As do the seven different prints in each flower – so much scrappy goodness!
I would love to see this in a kids playroom. If you can think of better way to teach colors, please share!
Happy Presidents’ Day! Are you still in your pajamas, too?
All hexagons quilts look cheerful to me, but this one from ReannaLily Designs seems to have a little extra sunshine. I think it’s the size of the hexes, combined with the wonderful use of white space. The springtime palette certainly isn’t hurting, either 
The quilter used a half-hex method of piecing, which can be done on the machine – great if you’re feeling gun-shy about attempting English paper piecing.
If you’re feeling gun-shy about making this quilt altogether, but absolutely have to have one, Handmade by Alissa has a queen-sized one for sale here.
And, finally, half-hexing doesn’t always involve lots of white space. Check out the photos from ComfortStitching’s Half-Hex Quilt-along!
Sale alert!
Poking around on etsy just now, I noticed that this adorable quilt by cluckclucksew. Not just for sale, but ON sale.
Love!