I didn't take many photos of this bad boy because I kinda nothing it. The fabrics had been intended for a friend's baby quilt that I made sometime last year, but no ideas struck when it came to actually using the fabric, so I tucked it into stash, and I made another quilt instead.
My goal is to make at least three baby quilts for Project Linus this year, and this is quilt number two. I hope to get it delivered some time next week.
The quilting is simple--straight lines on the diagonal--and I chose to use white thread. As for binding and backing, I'm a little grumpy about them. I had no idea what kind of backing to use, so I thought a solid would be most appropriate. I picked a blue that coordinated with the front prints. Then, I did something I thought I would never do--I picked a white fabric (and solid, at that) for binding a baby quilt. Maybe it was a crazy idea, but I couldn't find a proper gray, and I had no other ideas. I matched the white to the front fabrics and thought nothing more on it.
Fast forward several weeks (months?) and I pulled out the intended backing and binding, only to find out that in the poor quality lighting of the store, they'd both appeared to match the front, but in natural light, they didn't actually match. For the backing, it's no big deal. They're close, and it doesn't matter too much since it's the back. But the binding? Wow. It's shockingly white against the creamier background of the giraffe print.
It looks a little funny. But by the time I figured it all out, I had already prepared the binding and didn't have any white in my stash that did coordinate, so the bright white binding was sewn on to the quilt.
But, since that white binding will probably get grimy in about three point two seconds, maybe it's not a big deal?
This quilt came together quickly, and to be honest, I'm glad to have it done. It was nice to use almost forgotten fabrics, and my oldest and I have been piecing the remaining scraps together for our own project. (OMG, it is ridiculously adorable sewing with my four-year-old. He's so excited and proud and sweet and kinda bossy when it comes to fabric placement if truth be told. LOVE it. But more on that when I actually have something to show.)
I'm linking up today with TGIFF, hosted this week by Sew Fresh Quilts. Oh, and did I mention this finish is from my Q2 FAL 2014 list? Because it totally is.
This is such a sweet, simple, cozy looking quilt! I love the aqua backing. My four year old LOVES to sew with me, though it only happens every once in a while. He's so proud of the results and love to be involved.
ReplyDeleteIt's adorable- sure to make someone smile. You hit one of my pet peeves- fabric/yarn stores with crap lighting. There's on LYS out here that is notorious for it- I've gotten yarn home in the past only to realize it totally doesn't work for my project, ugh.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteAnd yeah, what is that? I'm going to be really hesitant purchasing fabric from there in the future. :(
Yay for a great finish using stash fabrics, Audrey! I know the frustration of thinking you've found a match and then finding out that it doesn't in better light. So annoying! As you say, I'm sure the white will soften with use. Have fun sewing with your four year old. I'm planning on getting my four year old quilting with me this summer too.
ReplyDeleteGreat quilt. Love the animals. Stopping by from TGIFF
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet quilt to gift (the prints on the front are wonderful!), no one is going to mind that the colors don't coordinate exactly. And I do imagine this getting drug along a-la Linus and the matching rather quickly anyway. Congrats on the finish and being so productive just before Fava!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilt!! Love the fabrics! Don't worry about the binding too much... I think it looks great. And you're right.. I'll probably get a little darker with use anyways ;-) Happy Friday!
ReplyDelete~ Jess ~
Everything Is Coming Up Rosie
I made a quilt with white binding and was worried about it, but then I thought "how is a white binding any different from using white as a background ALL OVER a quilt" so I haven't worried about it since. Then again, I'm not a messy, pooping-all-over-everything baby ;)
ReplyDeleteThe prints are so cute though!
I think it's easy -- as quilters, as artists -- to focus on the parts of our projects that don't go as planned. But think of it from the recipient's point of view: you devoted serious time creating this quilt. What an act of love and service -- especially for someone you don't know! This quilt will be cherished, white binding and all.
ReplyDeleteOh, you're 100% correct. And when I make a mistake in a top, I always feel like it is glaring and super obvious--and sometimes it is--but most of the time, people don't notice it, or if they do, they think it was an intentional design choice! I heard Jacquie Gering speak recently, and she made a good point. When it comes down to it, we're making blankets. And blankets shouldn't stress us out! :) Thank you for the good reminder. I hope this quilt is well snuggled and loved!
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