Monday, December 16, 2013

waiting quilt

Before I start my post today, I wanted to say a BIG thank you for all your wonderful comments on my scrap vortex quilt. Each and every one is much appreciated! THANK YOU!
I'm sure you've seen -and you probably own-at least a few mini charm packs. Each one contains 42 2 1/2" pre-cut squares. Moda aptly calls them Candy. (I'm not sure what other companies call them.) They are cute, sweet, and too good to pass up! But, what DO you do with them? EVERYONE that I talk to asks that. Since I have a deep love of the 2 1/2" square (as you can see here, here, here, here, here and here) I thought I would tackle this "problem". I'm developing a line of Candy Patterns that highlight these little gems. I was going to work up 3-5 patterns to start with and release them all at once, but I am way to impatient to do so!

My first candy pattern is called "waiting." Fabric is scrumptious by Bonnie and Camille.
This idea has been in my head for years and years. I'm excited that it has finally been translated into fabric! It was inspired by the loading icon on my iPhone. You know, the one that spins around when files are waiting to load. (How's that for everyday inspiration?) I thought that it would be fitting to turn that design into a baby quilt, as there is much waiting when that new special bundle is about to arrive.

Believe it or not, this pattern uses just one mini charm pack for the blocks. The background and cornerstones are additional, obviously. But still, not too shabby! It's been awhile since I made a quilt with a white background. I love how crisp and fresh it is!
I used the serpentine stitch on my Janome to quilt it. (Setting #19, for those of you who have a Janome Horizon.) It took awhile to quilt, but the texture is amazing! This was a new to me technique and I was nervous to use this quilt as a guinea pig. Every 2"-5" or so I drew a guideline with my hera marker to make sure that my lines were on track and mostly vertical. The quilt shifted quite a bit, but I always worked from the top down, so the shifting was evenly distributed. Phew!

For the binding I used some children at play fabric that was aging (nicely) in my stash. Cut on the bias, it makes a beautiful finishing touch for this quilt. I do love me some red gingham!
The backing is a sweet little red riding hood print by Tasha Noel for Riley Blake. I had just enough for backing and I'm sad that I don't have many scraps leftover. I keep reminding myself that fabric is to USE, not to hoard....and maybe some day I will actually believe it! :)
The quilt measures 38" square. The pattern is available as an instant download and you can purchase it here if you are interested.

Happy Monday to you!

61 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love 2.5 inch squares too, but I use them to make hexagons for my hand sewn quilts. Perfectly sized, perfectly portable, perfect for my travel sewing kit.

Anonymous said...

I love 2.5 inch squares too, but I use them to make hexagons for my hand sewn quilts. Perfectly sized, perfectly portable, perfect for my travel sewing kit.

Cara said...

Oh! It's lovely! I've been out of the fabric world for a couple of years, and noticed these teeny little charm packs everywhere nowadays as I make my return to Quiltopia. I really appreciate seeing someone do something with them, because I'm having a hard time telling myself "No."

It's a gorgeous little quilt!

Tennjenny said...

That is sooo cute. I just got my first bit of candy in a swap on Saturday and wondered what I might do with it!

Auntie Pami said...

Very cute! I need this in a big girl size. Any chance of doing it with charms?

Unknown said...

This baby quilt is absolutely darling and a wonderful way to highlight the Scrumptious collection! Great job!

Unknown said...

Sweet quilt! GREAT idea to make patterns for those little squares. I'm a fan...I've had a 'box of squares' that size for gazillion years (while cutting for a project I always cut a stack for the box)...so YES bring on the pattern series!! Woot. 8)

Debbie said...

Really cute and a great idea for a pattern series!

sonia said...

Amazing idea! Love the pattern and that you give as insight into your inspiration process!
I'm amazed too by your scrap vortex, I finished a small quilt with a spiral quilting and I know what it is! You are a master of the universe! Congrats!

Carmen said...

I love it! I too have many packs of candy waiting for inspiration. Can't wait to see the other patterns in the series! Xoxo

Frances Meredith said...

Pretty, pretty quilt - I love the serpentine stitching, it made me look closer. A great effect.

Beth said...

I have been totally in love with charm squares since I first saw a pack, I can hardly pass a single one by. Then Candy started showing up and it is even worse. I can not stop myslef from buying them. LOL
I love the pattern and I will be back to buy it. I am so excited that you are designing using these adorable littel pieces.

Anonymous said...

They are totally perfect for baby quilts (http://bloominworkshop.wordpress.com/2008/03/29/baby-steps/)... Christmas stockings... potholders... placemats... table runners... or work them into a scrappy trip quilt... So much fun in a tiny little package! Yours is lovely!

Vicki in MN said...

Cuteness!!

karen said...

Cute quilt. I have a new niece--want her address? :)

I like using minicharms to make disappearing nine patches.

FlourishingPalms said...

It's adorable, Amanda! I like the simplistic freshness of it. I don't buy charm packs, but can sure imagine it with fabrics from my stash. I have recently discovered that I'm a bit of a hoarder too! We need to organize a Hoard Less Club! Sure like how your quilting turned out. Like the quilt design itself, it's sometimes the simplest ideas that turn out best. Thanks for sharing your beautiful work with those of us who are not skilled designers.

Schulz Family said...

wow, cute gorgeous and simple. What a stunning look

Carla said...

As one who loves scrap quilts and small squares for my continual leader/ender projects, you can imagine that I have my fair share of those little Candy packs! i adore your pattern....very creative! Great job, Amanda!

Di~ said...

Oh My Lanta, girl, you are killin' me with all this cuteness that is this quilt! nice!

leanne said...

this is so adorable and love the quilting too ! any chance of adding the gorgeous mini charm pillow you made last week to the pattern shop at craftsy too ??

Bee said...

You did such an awesome job with this quilt design. Love those little 2.5" squares, they are so cute!

Theresa said...

Lovely job and brilliantly thought out!

Melanie said...

Love this quilt!

Nini said...

Thanks for the inspiration, I love the candy I started finding when I would visit family in Indiana. Can't find it here in California, but I have little stashes of them now from my visits home, so can't wait to play with them now!

SewPsyched! said...

adorable!!!! Thanks for the patterns, they will help alot with my sweet tooth!

Kay said...

Love it!!! I adore charm packs and use mine to make small fabric baskets.

*Cornelia* said...

oh wow this is just beautiful love it

Betty said...

How cool is this?!?! Since I keep getting orders for baby quilts, this is an excellent alternative to blocks and opens up many other possibilities.

patchworkdelights said...

Oh wow and wow that is spectacular, I love it!!!

suemac said...

I have so many mini charms from Quiltcon. I need something to do with them. Thanks for the great pattern. I went right to Craftsy and bought it.

Diane said...

you are like a "new design a minute woman"!!! that's a great new pattern!
look forward to seeing more

Suzanne said...

You are on a roll with finishes and designs! This is a great way for folks to use the candy packs or even people like me who cut up their scraps to make our own.

ps. i just bought a hera marker. I'm happy to hear you mention using one as well.

Thimbleanna said...

OH. EM. GEE.

Woman -- are you on crack??? How on earth do you continue to crank out these fab quilts??? I LOVE this one too -- especially with the inspiration story.

You're Amazing.

Or Crazy.

Mostly BOTH!!!

Love that cute binding HA!

Deborah said...

You NEVER fail to inspire me! Off to buy your pattern!

Shauna said...

What an adorable baby quilt and a great pattern!! You are vary creative. I often wondered what to do with those 'candy' pieces so have never bought them. I won't be as afraid to anymore.

Live a Colorful Life said...

Great pattern. Fun to make too!

Unknown said...

Amanda, I love this quilt, it is just adorable. I have a baby shower to attend in a couple of months and I would love to make one but am wondering how difficult it is. I have been sewing for many years but fairly new to quilting. Is it something that a beginner could make?

Amanda Jean said...

Kathleen,

Yes, this is a perfect pattern for a beginner. It's small and it comes together pretty quick. Hope that helps!

AJ

MaterialGirlQuilts said...

This is super cute! Love the quilting too.
Amanda

Rene' said...

Brilliant!! Love the idea, the quilt and both meanings of the name "waiting". I just had a friend who adopted a baby and thinking this is the perfect quilt to whip up as a welcome.

Lynda Halliger Otvos (Lynda M O) said...

Lovely, Amanda, Just adore the way the backing and binding play into the field of color on the front. Another delightful quilt !~!

Leez506 said...

Love this! Can anyone tell me where to find Amanda Jean's darling fabric "stamp" instructions? She pinked some fabric and put on cardstock so that they look like stamps - so cute, all ready to make them, can't find example - please help if you remember:)

Gazynia said...

It's fantastic quilt!!! I love it!

Andrea Johnson said...

Very fresh looking! And the vortex quilt is nothing short of fabulous!

nanajsews said...

Love this "Waiting" quilt so much that I jumped right over and bought the pattern! Thank you for the delightful fresh-looking new design.

Christine S said...

Love this so much!!

Lyndsey said...

This is so cute! Can't wait to see more of your candy patterns!

margaret said...

amazing what a 2.5" square can do. Very cute backing fabric too

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Judy said...

Wow!! You are simply amazing as is the quilt!

Pam said...

Love this quilt! Very nicely done! I also love pre-cuts. The question to me is "What can't you do with 2 1/2" squares (or charm packs or jelly rolls or . . .) So many options! Love your blog!

MalinisQuilts said...

The "Waiting" quilt looks fabulous. Its amazing what one little mini charm can do. Great pattern!

✾Jamie Lee Cooley✾ said...

What a great idea and fun way to use all the fabrics in a line relatively in expensively!

Unknown said...

beautiful quilt!! your creativity is inspiring! perfect fabric for the backing too. i know what you mean-it's hard to use a fabric up!

Tracybug Creative said...

I have this "candy" and it's so perfect! mini charms have become my latest hoarding trend...but they are fun to complete a quilt with!

It's awesome!

Vera said...

It is beautiful. What a fun inspiration and great name for pattern :-)

Unknown said...

WOW! I just love it and have already purchased the pattern to make this weekend

Lee said...

I love this pattern, Amanda! It's so adorable! Question about your serpentine quilting - I also use setting #19 on my Horizon, but it drives me a little crazy that the stitches are tiny at the tops of the curves and longer in between. Looking at your photos, it doesn't look like yours is doing that to the extent mine does. What stitch length and width settings do you use? Just trying to figure out if there's a secret to getting it to stop doing that! Thanks, and happy holidays! : )

Michelle@factotum-of-arts.com said...

This is a fabulous finish - love it. how clever with the idea about the phone. I love the simplicity and love the white.

Crystal said...

I am a smidge behind in my emails but so fun when I get to sit down and go through blog posts emails for food and sewing. I LOVE this quilt. I love the concept and the design and fabric you chose are wonderful. It has a simple, light, beautiful and feminine feel to it. Really nicely done.

Candy said...

This has turned out to be my FAVORITE quilt! Not what I was expecting! And I love the meaning of it, as in waiting 9 months of waiting, or expecting! Just really beautiful. Beautiful!