When I ripped up all my sheets awhile back, I did it to sell the bundles in my shop but also so that I could make a quilt for Anne's bed with all their soft and pretty glory.
This was my first full bed size quilt. Once I started it, I was on a mission to finish. That is a a quality about me that is both a blessing and a curse- it probably would have been nice to do a little, put it aside and make something else, then come back for a little more. From what I read on other blogs, this is how most people do their quilting. But I worked on it for days and got it DONE.
Anne and I looked through some simple quilt pattern tutorials and she chose this Plus quilt by Jeni of In color Order. She does a great job with her directions. I wish that I had made it a little longer but it is great for now. Anne loved the plus idea since she likes numbers so much (like all Kindergarteners!). She likes tracing out the plus signs over and over again.
I did the backing with 20 eighteen inch squares of sheets. I liked the thought of the the plus sign patterns showing through on the back. It turned out really pretty.
I ordered some pretty fabric from Amy's shop for the binding but my impatience to be finished took over and I did a cheater binding. Now I get to use my new fabric for something else!
The size of my backing fabric gave me about 5" overhang on all sides so I cut it down to 2" and ironed it back toward the back. I stitched this down with my machine with about a 1/4" seam allowance. Then I ironed it back toward the front and double folded it under. I wanted it to look like binding on both sides.
The corners are not perfect but turned out pretty good. I just folded the corner in the front to make it look like a mitered corner. I need to hand sew the corner down though so it doesn't come unraveled with washing! I figured I could easily take it off and do a real binding later if I ever feel the need.
Anne loves the quilt. She loves looking at the plus pattern and she loves all the colors. Nothing muted for this girl! She calls it rainbow colors. I like how it feels like a family heirloom already- soft and sweet. Now I need to make a matching sham to finish the look!
The penguin will do for now! Are you ready to try a quilt? Seems like quilters can't get enough of their craft. I am not totally sold since it is such a long and involved process. I wanted to try though- it's important to flex your crafty muscles, don't you think? I did flex some muscles moving all this fabric around and cutting out all these squares!
PLUS, now I know I can make a quilt :) What's on your list to try?
Very cute quilt! I found your blog through a pin.
Posted by: Allison | March 11, 2012 at 10:04 AM
This is so beautiful!
I am inspired but still afraid to try a quilt. I have been looking for something to buy for my daughter's beds (they share) and nothing looks soft enough. This is just wonderful! I might have to try it.
I also think - real or cheater binding - who cares - it looks great!
Posted by: Jill | February 17, 2012 at 03:32 PM
It's just gorgeous! I love the colours and the way they seem random yet completely "together" at the same time - I'm inspired!! I'd love to make a quilt but think I'll start on something smaller!
Posted by: Nikki | February 15, 2012 at 05:55 PM
Wow! So beautiful! You did a wonderful job! My aunt and I were just talking about me sewing my first quilt. Maybe I will have use most of the sheet fabric I won from you to make a quilt along with the patchwork stuffed animal!
Hope we don't get too much ice tonight.
Posted by: GS | January 20, 2012 at 07:01 PM
Good work! That turned out really pretty. I love cheater bindings. I made my mother something once and was tired of the project by the time I got to the binding. I figured, oh, no one will notice, cheater bind this sucker and get it off my sewing table. The next week my mother is all, "I should show you how to do a binding sometime." *facepalm* :-D
Posted by: Jennie Erwin | January 19, 2012 at 01:36 PM
Beautiful work! And that was a great idea for your 'cheater' binding - I'll have to try that on my next quick little baby blanket that I make tonight. Yay!
Posted by: Danni | January 19, 2012 at 10:31 AM
So inspiring! I am blown away... I have millions of fabric scraps and have been waiting for a quilt pattern that "grabs" me. This quilts really works.
Posted by: Heidi | January 19, 2012 at 04:21 AM
Love it! I'm hoping to get a vintage sheet quilt (my first quilt) done in two weeks. I've been working on it since July. Seeing yours finished makes me want to work on mine faster. :-)
Posted by: Cassandra | January 18, 2012 at 11:38 PM
This is so pretty and looks so fresh in her green room, and I love the way you've quilted it. I'm working on a quilt at the moment and now I'm wondering if that plus pattern might work for it. I also like the sound of your binding, so thanks for all the inspiration!
Posted by: Cate | January 18, 2012 at 08:28 PM
It's so beautiful! I started on my first bed-sized quilt a looooong time ago, but I haven't finished it yet. I also have stacks of vintage sheets waiting to be cut up and used. I would love to make a quilt out of them someday.
Posted by: Gayle | January 18, 2012 at 03:08 PM
This turned out so nice! I love it & like her pillowcase with it, looks so comfy.
Posted by: susie | January 18, 2012 at 01:37 PM
Ah it is gorgeous, well done! I've been meaning to start a quilt with my vintage stash and have gone for the Oh My Stars quilt along, but it only uses approx 16FQ so I'll still have plenty left for another vintage one!
Have you labelled your quilt? I never did until I read about everyone else labelling theirs! This is quite useful http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2011/how-tuesday-make-a-quilt-label/
Posted by: Mary | January 18, 2012 at 12:38 PM
It turned out so awesome!!! Love it!
Posted by: amy dunn | January 18, 2012 at 12:21 PM
Oh do I love this and I know Annie is so proud!! I have yet to try a quilt but you are inspiring me to give it a shot. Was it difficult doing the machine quilting around the squares - did it tend to bunch up?? I guess if you pin it well, bunching should not be a problem.
Posted by: Anne Marie | January 18, 2012 at 11:59 AM
I am so excited to try a quilt! I just don't trust my vintage machine to handle it- the tension seems to slowly get tighter as I sew, and I have to keep adjusting it. Yours is beautiful! Maybe I'll use some of my vintage sheets to make one, someday...
Posted by: Linnea | January 18, 2012 at 11:53 AM
This is gorgeous! I absolute adore it! I may have to make one for myself!
Posted by: Lisa Johnson | January 18, 2012 at 11:52 AM
Your vintage quilt turned out beautifully.... I love it!! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Mimi | January 18, 2012 at 11:41 AM
woo hoo! congrats on your first quilt. it's beautiful :)
Posted by: Vanessa | January 18, 2012 at 11:30 AM