This quilt was made for one of my best friends. I decided this year that for my very closest friends I would make them a quilt for their birthday. Of course, let’s ignore the fact that her birthday was in April. But it’s finished and I love it so much! I am excited to give it to her this week. I made sure to prewash just the red binding–the rest I didn’t bother washing. I used a couple color catchers on each wash for the binding. On the second wash, I threw in a square of the Kona white cotton with the color catchers in with the red fabric and since the Kona came out perfectly white, I knew it would be ok. I washed it once the quilt was finished and put in another two color catchers–they turned a little pink but no bleeding whatsoever. Phew! I’ll also include a color catcher when I gift it to her, with wash instructions. I’ll also make sure she knows that if something goes wrong with the quilt that I’m able to repair it as needed. I used the Missouri Star Quilt Company’s tutorial for the Herringbone Quilt HERE. You can also see my tutorial HERE on how to make half square triangles very easily, if a video isn’t your thing. I only used 30 squares of the gray and 30 of white rather than the 42 the tutorial asks for. And the quilt is the perfect lap size quilt. Finished measurements are 63″ x 78″. I’ve already bought myself some fabric to make one for me. I LOVE love love how quickly the top goes together. It’s amazingly fast. And when you do straight line quilting yourself, and you also like to bind, it makes for a fairly fast quilt and also very rewarding. I’m not very fast but I’d say the total time on the quilt from cutting to binding was 12 ish hours. Some of you probably will mock me for taking so long but for me, that’s fast.
My original inspiration is from the Crafty Blossom HERE. Doesn’t she just have the most amazing quilts. I love everything she does. I’ve pinned quite a few and the quilt I’ll share next week (and another one soon) will be another inspired from her quilts.
The backing, as well as the solids and binding fabric, is all from Joann. I really love the backing fabric. More quilts will be posted soon. I’m really loving quilting these days. A whole bunch. It’s such a beautiful gift of time, as well as being completely practical. It really does make me feel like I’m wrapping someone up with love when I give them to others. And I love to see my family snuggled up with one. Maybe someday I will earn the title of Quilter :).
With Love - by Ev
TWELVE HOURS?! That sounds like a lot of work to me :) But when I see this, I think I should just try sewing a quilt for the first time!
Christie
You should! Quilting can be so relaxing. Just make sure to IRON during the process and it will go much more smoothly. I watch a lot of tutorials online to help me be better :).
Sarah
Really cute! I love what fabric you chose!
Christie
Thanks so much!
Abby
What a cute quilt, Christie! I love the herringbone, and the red binding! What a lucky girl your friend is, I sure she loves it!
Christie
Oh, thank you so much Abby! You are so sweet. :).
Megan
This is the cutest quilt. I love the fabrics you chose. What is your favorite batting to use on quilts? I have a couple that need the binding done but I just can’t decide on a batting that will give the quilt a lived in, washed a lot, vintage feel. :)
Christie
Hello! thanks for the compliment :). My favorite batting is the warm and natural batting at Joann :). I get it by the yard sometimes or when it’s on sale pre-packaged I will get it that way.
Tiffany
LOVE this quilt! I’m due with a little boy in March and want to do a quilt like this! Did you use HST to make the herringbone pattern?
Christie
Yep! Just HST :). So easy!
natalie aka hungryhippie
Love this -and thanks for sharing the link to the tute. I’m always on the hunt for FAST makes for friends. LOL Cheers,
Natalie.
Christie
Thank you! This is much faster than some of the other quilts I’ve done. So it’s more satisfying to me as well, ha! Good luck!
Roslyn
Beautiful quilts! Can you tell me what color grey fabric you used for this quilt?
Christie
I wish I remembered! I just went to Joann and found some I liked. Sorry!
Julie
I am new to quilting, curious how many yards I will need for the back and binding. Thank you! I love this!