BQF: Fava's Quilt.

For Blogger's Quilt Festival this fall, I'm entering Fava's Quilt in the small quilt category. Let me tell you right now, this is easily one of the most exciting and fun quilts I have ever had the opportunity to make. The design is original, though I made the center medallion using a bee block tutorial from Sylvia, and the paper pieced feathers are from a free pattern of Sarah's. The finished quilt is square, and the sides are all about 42" long.

Fava is my third son, and I finished this quilt back in July just a few weeks before he was born. As I pieced this, I thought a lot about who he would be. I prayed over it, knowing that this little boy would change my life a third time in a super positive way. And he has. Fava is so sweet, and by the time he is old enough to fend for himself, he will understand the word "longsuffering" like no one's business. (He has very enthusiastic older brothers who adore hugging and kissing him.) Having a new baby pretty much kills any opportunity I have for sewing (or even showering!), but he is totally worth it, and I am so thankful for him. While this quilt took forever to piece and finish, I am happy that I took that time to make him something really special. 

When I first started planning this quilt, I knew I wanted to make a medallion quilt. Deciding on fabric was hard. I remember crying to my husband--remember that I was pregnant--what if I can't find any fabric that will be perfect for him? But then! I saw a F8 bundle of Violet Craft's Waterfront Park, and while I almost never use an entire line, I couldn't say no. I absolutely adore that line. I added solids in teal, navy, red, and white, and a some grays and khaki in the scrappy binding.

The back is more Waterfront Park. Apparently, if I'm going to use a fabric line, I'm *really* going to use it seriously. But I love this bridge print, and my husband loved it too, so using it as a back was an awesome way to showcase it.

The binding is one of my favorite parts. I was trying to decide what solid to use, when my friend K suggested I use all of them. YES.

The quilting was really simple--echo quilting in the solid fabric areas. I briefly considered using fancy FMQ, but the top is so extravagant on its own that I didn't want to take away from it.

Here the quilt is, hanging up on Fava's crib. This crib was also my husband's, and he and his three siblings used it. My two older sons used it. And now, my sweet baby Fava is its current resident.

Thanks for visiting--and thank you following friends for indulging me yet again with this quilt--and I am so happy to list this among the other fabulous quilts that are taking a part in BQF this fall. There is so much talent, and I can already feel my brain working as I get inspired by other quilters' creations.