FF: Northern Lights, Number 3.

And I finished my third Northern Lights quilt yesterday. Woo! That's one quilt down, three more to go before Fava arrives.

I should have been really awesome and actually paid attention to the names of the solids I used, but I wasn't. I liked the color progression, and that's all that matters. (For the record, my amazing quilting sensei helped me pick out this color palette when she was last in town. I'm considering kidnapping her the next time she comes for a visit, that way, she'll never be far when I need help with a fabric pull.) They're a mix of Bella and Kona solids, but from the feel of the fabric, I'm guessing that yellow is something else as it has a much different hand than the others. The pattern is the incredibly awesome Northern Lights pattern by Jaybird Quilts. This is the third time I've made this quilt, so I guess it's pretty obvious how much I love it. One day I'll actually find time to make a big one for me!

I used a Modkid fabric from Joann's for the backing. I really enjoy this print anyway, but when I was pulling bolts looking for something that might work, I realized this print is almost an identical match for the colors on front. How could I say no to that? So I'm pretty stoked for that.

For quilting, I went with the exact same plan I used for the first two. Double echo quilting along the vertical seam lines. I love the finished look, and it makes for a soft and cuddly finish. 

The binding is a darker blue solid. I had really wanted to sneak that blue onto the top somewhere, but the progression wasn't right. So we added another blue instead, and thankfully, I still got to squeeze it in as binding. This is my best machine binding job so far. (By FAR.) I guess I am improving a bit. I read a bunch of machine binding tutorials last week, expecting to discover some new tricks and tips, but for the most part, my execution is the same as "the pros" so practice (and perhaps confidence? skill? luck?) must be the differing factors.

This is all ready to go to its new home in Alabama. It's headed to a baby boy who is due only two days before Fava. I'm really quite thrilled I got it done in time. Baby boy is not only a first baby, but I believe he's also the first grandbaby on both sides, so he needed an extra special quilt.


I'm linking up today with TGIFF hosted by the super awesome Jo of Riddle and Whimsy and the Jaybird Quilts Sew Along at Sew Sweetness! 

FF: Northern Lights Quilt. (Again.)

This is the third time I've made Jaybird Quilt's Northern Lights quilt. You could definitely say I'm getting my money's worth from this pattern. And I think this might be my favorite one yet! (I have always been hesitant to use prints with this pattern, thinking they might look choppy with the half hexies, but OMG, I love the version using Arizona that Julie's working on right now. I totally want one for me, but that might also be because I'm really really excited about Arizona coming out.)

This is for a little bambino who is due two days before my own. His Mama and Papa know I'm making him a quilt, and I got a bit of an idea about their likes and dislikes. I had originally thought to make a simple patchwork quilt for time's sake, but ditched that idea because I knew in my heart I wanted to make them something a little more exciting!

I have to say, this pattern was much easier to piece the second time around, and the third time has been a charm. I matched practically all of my seams on the first pass, and I only ripped out and fixed a handful of spots.

See? Perfection. I need to get this bad boy basted and quilted, and while I could branch out and do something different, I really like the quilting I did on the first two, so I'll be echo quilting the vertical seams.

I picked up more of this Patty Young print from her Rendezvous line for Joann's. The colors go so well with the solids on front, it looks almost as though I picked out the backing first and went from there! I really love this print, so I'm glad to have more of it. (I'm also really excited to see Patty Young's High Society line for Joann's--when will my store get some???)

This makes my third quilt top finish that is waiting patiently to be quilted. I'm really dragging my feet when it comes to basting lately. I just don't wanna!


I'm linking up today with TGIFF, hosted by M-R at Quilt Matters.