First, as for the yarn… you guys are totally right, and I’m going to send most of it to Susan V for her charity knitting. Hooray!
So, as I was going through my yarn, the kids got curious and asked about it. My husband was telling them that it’s used to make hats and sweaters, and that Mommy once made Daddy a PIRATE sweater! (It’s true – it’s black and has white skull & crossbones on the arms.) The kids got all excited and asked when I was going to make them a sweater. And while I’m all done on knitting right now, I informed them that I would, in fact, be making them each a quilt. I even showed them the pile of fabrics.
The trouble is, now my daughter pitifully asks me a few times a day, “where’s my quiiiiilt?”
So, I guess I’d better get started. And that’s where I need your help. Here’s where we’re starting:
I bought this fat quarter bundle of Far Far Away almost a year ago, and knew I would use it for my daughter’s big-girl quilt. But, of course, I’m stalled with indecision and haven’t yet dared to cut into it.
I’ve got coordinating solids, especially in pinks & purples, to go with it. I’ve got scraps I can pull in. It will be a twin-sized bed quilt, and I’m leaning towards something with more solid-color space and fewer blocks. Maybe. But what kind of blocks? How many of them? How big? Where do I begin??
What would you do? Any favorites you’ve seen in the blogosphere or on Flickr that you think would be just perfect? Should I just do straight patchwork squares and be done with it? Should I do completely different front and back so it’s reversible? Gah! That’s the trouble with quilting. The possibilities are nearly endless.
Tags: Far Far Away, Heather Ross, twin size
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Good for you …. sending the yarn to someone who can use it for charity knitting. That is the best! Now, about your quilt, I have made or been involved in making several quilts with the disappearing 9-patch design. If you google that name, you will find a tutorial for it. You can use scraps along with the fat quarters. It is such a flexible design. My quilt group made one for charity and it turned out great. Each person made two squares using their own fabric with a black fabric for the middle block to tie it all together. We even put a narrow sashing around the middle section of blocks and then put more blocks outside that and then a larger border to tie it all together again. I also made a baby quilt using this design. It is so versatile! Yes, it does sound like I have become a addict to this design, doesn’t it?! You could make a two sided quilt or piece some co-ordinating larger pieces of fabrics together to make a scrappy look on the back. Good luck with whatever you chose … and you are right, there are so many possibilities so just pick one and try to stop thinking about other ideas or you will drive yourself nuts! Been there, for sure!!!
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I really like this one: http://www.flickr.com/photos/35939871@N05/4477035237/
I think you have to highlight the fabric, you know? I made a quilt using Heather Ross’ mendocino fabrics that could work too if you’re going for the patchwork look (http://mamaurchin.com/2009/11/12/mermaids-and-robots-and-patchwork-oh-my/)
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Glad to hear your yarn has gone to a good cause…
as for the quilt I can imagine you being overwhelmed with patterns and ideas… how long will the quilt be for? Now childhood into teenage years. How precious do you want it to be?I guess I cheated. I made a bug jar quilt for my eldest son and then discovered raggy quilts. With flannel backs and cotton tops, or flannel back and flannel tops. With and without batting in. If they have batting for winter then I “x” the squares, if its for summer then I skip the batting and use just the flannel back and cotton/flannel top.
They get dragged round the house, go on rv trips with us and my boys love them. They’ve spread across the world to friends and family, they’re simple serviceable, no great work of art but well loved. They don’t take long to make. I like to arrange the squares as a trip round the world/sunshine and shadows (on point diamond of all one colourway or the same fabric). Square sizes vary 9 inch squares and 3/4in seams, or 6 inch sqs and 5/8th seams. I tend to make the quilts 9×9 rows but now my son is 6ft 5in I’ve enlarged it to 13 x 13 squares. he loves his quilt, he snuggles into it most nights and says its as if I was cuddling him (not bad for a 15 yr old!). What more could I ask for.
I’ve just finished one for a friend pink flannel on the back with butterflies and fairies across the front, no batting ideal for a summer throw. (see my blog)
Good luck with you choice and I hope your daughter enjoys her quilt in the same way.
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Rita of Red Pepper Quilts did a great strippy quilt with her Heather Ross:
http://www.redpepperquilts.com/2009/11/princess-quilt.htmlOr you could follow in Ashley’s footsteps (Film in the Fridge) and make a stunning but simple squares quilt like this one:
http://www.filminthefridge.com/2010/01/07/my-new-favorite-fabric-little-folks-voile/Whatever you decide, I’m sure you’ll make something gorgeous.
My advice: just do it!!!
Andi
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The first thing that came to my mind is pinwheels! With the solids and the cute prints from Far Far Away, it would be adorable! Rachel is leading a pinwheel quilt along here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/pinwheelsamplerquiltalong/
There are some super cute blocks here. ☺
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My vote is for square-in-square…something like this: http://www.cluckclucksew.com/2009/01/orange-quilt-dimensions.html. I am currently making one with pinks and greens (alternating them instead of using a white solid) and adjusted the size a little to make 7″ blocks instead of 8.5″. Either way I think it would be an awesome way to highlight your HR fabrics with solids around them maybe? Can’t wait to see what you decide!
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The quilt I’m drooling over right now is this one…. http://www.dsquilts.com/fabric_and_patterns.asp?PageID=83
It’s so cool!
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