Saturday, June 20, 2009

peaches and cream


I think this quilt will be going to my friend Bonnie, if she wants it. :) I really, really need to become and unselfish quilter again.

For this quilt I pieced the batting using a zig zag stitch that many of your suggested after I posted this. (I have to say thank you for not laughing at me for hand piecing my batting!!!) Machine stitching it together is clearly the way to go. I think I used 9-10 pieces of long skinny batting strips in the process. It's so satisfying to make those ends into something useful. Reclaiming some closet storage space doesn't hurt, either.

I did a simple stipple in cream thread for the quilting. I love how it looks all quilted up.

And I finished it off with a wonderful green polka dot (from JoAnn's) for the backing and binding. I could use yards and yards of this fabric. I just love it.

The quilt measures 49" x 56".

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Edited to add: The pattern for this quilt was based on the snapshots pattern that is found in the book Happy Hour by Atkinson Designs. The block shown here is done at approximately 50% of the large block in the original pattern. (this one finishes at 7") Since this is a published pattern, I am not at liberty to share the measurements or a tutorial for this block.

The fabrics used in this quilt include a few thimbleberries prints, a tracy porter print and a few prints from moda...from the lines waters edge and urban indigo if i recall correctly. there is also one joel dewberry print and one unknown fabric.

oh, and bonnie loved the quilt. :) yay!

85 comments:

Toby E. said...

Gorgeous!!

Cheryl said...

Very nice! Happy Hour, right? I may have to make one of those. Simple, yet stunning.

Kristine Hanson said...

YES! machine basting scraps of batting is the ONLY way to go! I just made a baby quilt for Craft Hope with my scraps and a Father's Day quilt for my dad using batting scraps, LOVE using it all up!

dolores said...

THAT is one awesome quilt...I think that is the pattern I want to try next...I think that is something that everyone would like man, women, child.....dog, cat, dwarf hamster!;) You notice there is a bit of an optical illusion in the big picture of the quilt...the white fabric's pattern makes it look like you quilted a diamond pattern...neat-O!:)

Lyric said...

This took my breath away! I love your blog! Thanks for sharing all of your lovely quilts!

Jessica said...

Well if Bonnie doesn't want it, I'll take it! LOL!
I thought the reason you hand pieced your batting scraps was because your machine only had a straight stitch. Did you get a new machine? BTW, I'm *this* close to getting my husband to buy me a machine like yours. He got a brand new bike for Father's Day and he's feeling guilty (I had NOTHING to do with the guilt, honest!) so he's been asking me about your machine almost daily. My birthday is in November and I'm just gonna keep emailing him info about it until then!!!

dotti white said...

Amandajean...this is a lovely quilt! Thank you for sharing! I'm sure Bonnie will love it!

Carolyn cdn said...

What a wonderful gift for your friend, I can't imagine anyone not loving this.

Rose said...

Ummm, so if Bonnie is resistant to the idea of taking a quilt from you, let me suggest myself to aid you in becoming an unselfish quilter hehe. Did you use a pattern for this and if so where could I find it? I just love the pattern and the fabrics you used, so soft and lovely :)

Anonymous said...

Love this pattern.

Essbie said...

This quilt is gorgeous!
Actually, all your quilts are. I love that you can share all this work with us (even here in Australia ;) ).

CJ said...

Very nice! IS that a happy hour quilt?? I have that book but have yet to use it. You sure do inspire me though. :D

Journeying Five said...

love the fabric! it looks really nice.

Coffeebean's Dailies said...

Gorgeous Amandajean! Love the simple pattern and the stippling. Yeah!!!

Antique Rose Designs said...

That is gorgeous all your quilts are gorgeous. Thanks for sharing and inspiring us. Still haven't had a chance to finish mine. Take care Carol

Anonymous said...

Oooh! i do like that idea of machine stitching batting pieces together, I've always hand stitched mine too!

Ann said...

Amanda Jean, your choice of colours to this quilt is just lovely, and I love the pattern too!. I shall immediately put it on my 'to-do-list'.
That is the main problem with following your blog: my list just keeps on growing!! *giggle*

MissyMack said...

Gorgeous! I love the colours, I love the design, I love the quilting! Its all lovely.

Sipiweske Quilts said...

Very, very pretty - your friend is going to be thrilled. - Marlene

Annie said...

Beautiful quilt, I'm sure your friend will be happy to receive it.

Aimee said...

So pretty!! Your friend is going to be so happy!

Kristine said...

I see a Thimbleberries fabric in there that I used in my MIL's quilt for the cornerstones! The quilt really is beautiful - lucky friend! =)

Theresa said...

I love how the binding and backing blend - I must try that....I'm sure the secret is the subtle print of the tiny polka dot. Well done Amandajean. Another lovely completion....and I know what you mean about giving them away! I'm in the throws of making a quilt just because a girl in our building is having a baby - I hardly know her aside from meeting in the kitchen but it's a great excuse to make a baby quilt!

heather said...

Looks GREAT!!! She will LOVE it!! I'm going to have to take my scraps of batting to my moms and try it!! the zig zag trick!!:)

Sarah said...

Adorable!!! I love the green polka dots!

Ruth said...

Very pretty and the quilting looks great! I love the colors.

Linda at Roscoe's Ma said...

I love this quilt! Your blog is one of my favorites. Thanks a bunch for sharing!

M. Regina said...

Your work is amazing,....lovely to visit your blog.hugs from Brazil

Liz Jimenez said...

Beautiful, as always! I like the sweet, somewhat muted colors. Refreshing as I feel like I've done a lot of bold, saturated colors recently.

And really, who can resist a good polka dot!

Liz @ teeny tiny quilts

Julia said...

It's beautiful and I love it!

MichelleB said...

You silly girl - "if she wants it". I'm betting she'd LOVE it! Who wouldn't?

Suzanne said...

It's fantastic, Amandajean! I am so happy to hear others talk about piecing batting. I hated to waste those long strips especially when the price of batting keeps rising.

Janet said...

I too piece using a darning stitch on the machine. You do have to be careful not to stretch either side. Your friend is a lucky girl. We just can't keep them all.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful!!! As all your quilts are ;)
What fabric line is that?

Kristen in OK said...

Splendid! Thanks for the finished photo - I love the fabric.

Maya Madhavan said...

That is a combination that makes my mouth water - no wonder you chose 'peaches and cream' for the name. It is a beautiful quilt! You have quite an eye for colour and fabric. The fabric with the white background in the corner block in the second picture gives the quilt a wonderful feel; like a hidden grid in the background. Gorgeous!!

Anina said...

I've been giving some of my quilts to Ronald McDonald House and it feels good to know that someone else will appreciate and use them rather than having them sit in the closet.

quiltmom anna said...

AmandaJean,
The quilt is so lovely and soft looking- it makes you want to wrap yourself up in it. I am sure your friend will love it- Such a pretty gift..
Regards,
Anna

Anonymous said...

Such a beautiful quilt! Your friend is very lucky, I know she will love her gift. And you have to love those polka dots!

Leslie said...

So very, very pretty! You did a terrific job with it!

Tif said...

So pretty amandajean!!

Jocelyn said...

Wow I really love this quilt. Great color combination!

Sue said...

Amanda Jean, I absolutely love this quilt and have a Happy Hour quilt in progress that seems similar to this. However sometimes I am disappointed with the fabric from JoAnn's. I love the polka dots you chose but sometimes my fabric from that store fades quickly when washed often as in a child's quilt, what do you think?

Barb said...

What a wonderful quilt...

Kimberly said...

Yummy and fresh quilt! I'll take it if Bonnie isn't interested ;)

And I just read your batting post... um, I always thought it was around the $18 mark here at Fabricland (Abbotsford, B.C.) but the last time I was in, it was $35 (maybe for reeeaaaly wide stuff?) So $10 or so at JoAnnes is what I'm more than happy to spend!! More than well worth the hour drive down to Bellingham, Wa.

Have a great rest of the weekend!
Kimberly

Heather said...

Well if your friend Bonnie doesn't want it I'll take it off your hands. It is very cute!

Dorrie said...

I love this! I've been meaning to make one of those "Happy Hour" block quilts, but the huge block size didn't appeal to me. I love your smaller version. The colors you've used are so summery and crisp.

Jessica Christensen said...

I still hand-piece my batting sometimes. It's relaxing I guess. You know, if Bonnie doesn't want this quilt, I'm sure there are plenty of others who would take it off your hands. It's beautiful. ;)

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

....if she wants it??? Who wouldn't? It's beautiful.

Dawn W said...

...Tutorial coming? :) What a beautiful quilt!

Kristin said...

Gorgeous...simply stunning!

TiLT said...

fabulous! I just love the look of this piece - how could she not want it? :P

audreypawdrey said...

It is beautiful and I love that you used pieced scraps of batting. I keep saving mine, and I may have to try this!

Gari in AL said...

Such a beautiful and calm quilt.

Unknown said...

Oh I love this! I am a new quilter and was trying to figure out the block..is there a specific pattern you used? I really love the polka dots too. Hey I have found some really great fabrics at JoAnnes lately..its worth using that 40 to 50 percent coupon!! :) Oh, a little p.s....I have followed your site for a while but couldn't get my comments to appear, I think I have it figured out now. Love all you work!!!

Judy said...

Lovely job,,,love that green! May I ask please what size binding do you use? Looks almost like 1/2 inch to me. Is it? or just 1/4"?

Thanks!*s*

Jessica said...

After you posted about piecing your batting I gave it a whirl...I love not wasting it...and I can never tell the difference :)

Sherry said...

I love this one, the colors are great. That green polka dot fabric works perfectly with the quilt. I'm sure Bonnie will just love it. I haven't tried piecing my left over batting pieces, but I sure need to give it a try. Thanks for sharing!

Kristen said...

What a beautiful quilt!! I love the polka dot fabric. And I'm with everyone else...waste not, want not. I think it's awesome that you came up with a way to save all your batting scraps. I have some of my own, but I use them for coasters and the other things you mentioned. I don't sew enough quilts to use up closet space like you do though...hehe.

Thimbleanna said...

I would never laugh at you for hand piecing your batting, 'cause that's the way I do it. I just use a quick mattress stitch which seems even quicker than sewing it by machine. Love the cute quilt!

randi said...

Beautiful! I love the soft colors!

PunkiePie (Jen) said...

It is SO pretty! I wish I could whip out quilts as fast as you AND I wish I could stipple as nicely as you do.

Robin said...

what a beautiful quilt! your friend is ver lucky! I love that pattern too!

Julie @ Jaybird Quilts said...

i have a pattern similar to this one that is on my to-do list... i just need to decide which fabric to use!!

Rebekah said...

Very pretty! I love the soft colors in this. I need to start piecing my batting together. I've got lots of little parts stuffed into my craft closet

karylsquilts said...

cute quilt.. the pattern is listed on http://www.patchworktimes.com/patterns/

lera said...

Why WOULDN'T Bonnie want it?!?!? :-)

I love the green dotted back. I'm pretty sure I have that same fabric that I bought for a shirt. And didn't make.

Sarah said...

Hi there! I just wanted to tell you that I just finished a tote bag from a tutorial that you posted on Moda bake shop. It turned out great! Your directions were really easy to follow...thanks!!! (I put a pic of it on my blog)

Anonymous said...

I love how different this quilt looks from far away and up close. And what can beat a good polka dot print? :)

Clair said...

Fun blocks. Maybe I should make something like that for Emili's baby's quilt.

Bonnie said...

I love this quilt and I enjoy your blog every day.

Unknown said...

Super cute! Love all the colors! And the backing is just gorgeous!

Ruthie said...

BEAUTIFUL quilt!

Anonymous said...

Hi! Here's another idea for piecing batting scraps..use a light-weight fusible interfacing to join the scraps..just straighten the edges, butt them together and iron the interfacing on top...works great and does not make it difficult to quilt through..really like your quilt and will be sure to try it!!!

Unknown said...

Hi Amanda Jean,
I've finished all 49 of my patches for the 9-patch quilt and am now ready to sash. Since I'm not a very straight cutter or sewer, some of my patches aren't quite 6.5"--they're a little bit over or under on some. Would you suggest that I trim up my patches before I sash, or try to even the squares out when I sash? Thanks,
Hillary (you can comment on my blog with the answer--http://hillandcam.blogspot.com or I will check back here later)
Thanks!

suz said...

What a lovely quilt - Bonnie is very lucky!

dutchcomfort said...

Fabulous quilt! It reminds me of icecream. Pistache, cherry, vanilla, blueberry and strawberry! Yummy!

I piece batting together using a zig-zag stitch. It works great!

Jenn Boerger said...

Beautiful quilt! I love this Happy Hour pattern - it really shows off gorgeous fabric well.

Amanda Jean said...

hillary,

that's really up to you...i would suggest cutting down any that are particularly large and make the rest fit together when you sash it. at least that's what i would do. i think. :)

aj

Jennifer said...

Absolutely beuatiful. Love seeing all your work.

Nancy said...

Love this quilt! Love your blog too! I plan on being a follower ... you are so inspirational! Thanks!

jacquie said...

so soft and pretty... i'll bet this is just gorgeous in person.

Chara Michele said...

So lovely! (Lucky Bonnie! :)

Di~ said...

Amandajean: What is that fabric that is in the corner? The white with the cute scrolls? I love it?

Donna said...

That is a lovely quilt! I love using those little polka dot prints for backing and binding.