I was sitting in my backyard last week and noticed the rich green grass emerging from dormancy. My first thought was that I needed to make a quit bright enough to coordinate with all the pretty spring colors. The next day we were the unhappy victims of a very cold front but alas, it left me plenty of time to sew. I didn't want anything fussy because I have sewn three fussy quilts since August and I had no desire to match seams and corners and all of that nonsense. I was inspired by the Summer Breeze quilt in Last-Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts
Really! Only 24 hours! And that included an episode of highly cranky cookie making with the children (surely my 8 year old won't drop a bowl of eggs on the floor. Wrong.) and sleep and everything.
The prints aren't exactly my style but I like the way they work together. And they are all so cheerful we are finding it impossible not to smile when we lie on it or under it. As far as the "design" - I just cut pieces 9.5 inches by whatever and pieced them in columns. Sew each column together whilst laughing joyfully that nothing has to match up. Free motion quilted in my signature style which would be "Jenn is in need of a stitch regulator". I pieced the binding as well because I had nothing on hand that would coordinate. The only short cut I took was machine stitching the binding, which bugs me and all but I wanted a functional quilt more than a polished quilt so it just wasn't worth the wear on my hands. I'm very pleased with the whole look. And because this was so easy I will feel even more comfortable letting the children trample on it with their muddy shoes.
I am definitely going to make this again.
We brought it out for tea time this afternoon - a day that fits the description 'as cozy as spring' if any ever did. Our hollies are blooming and so very sweet smelling. They are absolutely covered in honey bees which I hope will translate into plenty of berries for the robins next winter. I alternated between knitting and reading back issues of Martha that a friend gave me.
And now I must go and fix dinner - the children seem to request it every single night. And the kitchen floor has so much dirt tracked in that I think I could sprinkle seeds in it and have a garden right by the backdoor. Happy St. Patrick's Day friends!
I love the bright colors! I was pulling out my spring materials to try my hand at some pretty girly sundresses, because spring is making me feel inspired once again.
Oh,and your little boy is so sweet to say that about me! It made me blush. :)
Posted by: Juli | March 17, 2009 at 03:56 PM
It's lovely.
Posted by: Mary Ellen Barrett | March 17, 2009 at 05:43 PM
love it. I have that book too. On my list of projects, I want to make the sailboat wall-hanging for my son! This is just great. Thanks for sharing your projects. I'm always inspired. BTW, how long have you been knitting?? You are so advanced.
Posted by: Carmen | March 17, 2009 at 05:54 PM
Very happy cheerful quilt!Like it lots!!!
Posted by: Theresa | March 17, 2009 at 07:05 PM
If I were to attempt that quilt? Yep, it'd be a 3 year project.
Posted by: 12ontheinside | March 17, 2009 at 08:07 PM
Gorgeous! And cheery - I love it. Perfectly suits a spring afternoon!
Posted by: Kristen | March 17, 2009 at 08:10 PM
this is utterly scrumptious. It makes me want to run out tomorrow and have a picnic and *dream* I have such a beautiful quilt to sit on!
Posted by: sarah | March 17, 2009 at 11:56 PM
You have every reason to be pleased as punch with this brilliant-bright-n-beautiful-blankie! A little alliteration to start your day!
Posted by: kimberly | March 18, 2009 at 04:55 AM
so springy. its lovely. and what is it with dinner? it happens here, too, every night.
Posted by: cici | March 18, 2009 at 07:29 AM
It's so bright and cheerful! Perfect for a warm, spring day!
Posted by: Sarah | March 18, 2009 at 12:06 PM
I am just learning to sew...have done a few skirts now from the sew what book, I am making a quilt quote (pieced banner on a pole) :) and am ready to attempt my first quilt for my step daughters freshly painted pink bedroom! I love reading about your quilts and have requested books from the library...but...how do I figure out how much fabric to buy and where did you learn binding?? Any other tips would be LOVED!
I love seeing all that you are making!
Posted by: Marcia | March 20, 2009 at 09:21 AM
Delightful!
Posted by: Lissa | March 22, 2009 at 09:45 AM
Positively yummy! I agree about the prints too - together they are magic.
Posted by: Kimberlee | March 22, 2009 at 11:14 AM
This one turned out so nicely, it's delectable!!
Posted by: Meredith | July 05, 2009 at 10:21 AM
This is fabulous:-)
I came back to look at it, but also to ask you what you used as the wadding? I really like the idea of a quilt to use outside, but it's going to end up needing washing more than an indoor quilt, I suspect! So, I'm just wondering:-) (I'm on a bit of a quilting-jig at the moment, this is my _second_ quilt related comment on a blog, today!)
Posted by: Fe | July 09, 2009 at 10:25 AM
Fe, for this quilt I think I used the Warm and Natural batting which is an 80% cotton and 20% poly. Why this one? Because I probably had a coupon. I like the higher priced stuff at my quilting shop better (Hobbs, I think) but the poly in the W&N makes it a bit more stable. The quilting is also fairly close, so hopefully that will help. We don't tend to put it on wet grass or leave it outside so I think I actually wash it less than bedding because it's not used as much. There is a good batting article here:
http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=415
Posted by: Jennifer | July 10, 2009 at 06:45 AM