This quilt has been finished since July...and I've had it back in hand for a few weeks already, but I never found the time to blog about it. (It's so difficult not to share things in real time!) This one was named by my friend
Stephanie...who thought it looked like café umbrellas. Isn't that a fitting name?(Thank you, Stephanie!)
All of the fabrics in the front of the quilt are from my
good neighbors fabric line. (I added
solid white, which is also from
Connecting Threads.) The idea was to design a block where the stripes make a diamond design. There is quite a bit of extra fabric leftover because the triangles are cut twice on the diagonal (rather than once) so the stripes form the pattern. The fabulous free-motion quilting was done by
Steffani K. Burton. She does SUCH a nice job!
I have big plans for the leftover triangles...they will be some sort of flying geese some day. Probably in another year or two! Ha!
For the backing, I used 8 different 1/2 yard fabrics from my stash in colors that match the front of the quilt. There was a lot of auditioning to get just the right mix, but it was worth it! I love using up stash for quilt backs.
Polka dots, pigs and stripes...
...more polka dots in various sizes and a fun text print.
The scale of the teal dots (also from the
good neighbors line) work so well for binding!
I thought twice about using this large gray dot on the back, because I wanted to hoard it until the end of time...but the scale was too perfect not to use! I'm glad that I did use it. After all, that's what the fabric is for, right? (I need the reminder sometimes!)
I really enjoyed piecing this quilt! It was fun to make something a little more traditional and I love the secondary design that the blocks make. There is a pattern for the café umbrellas quilt
here, if you are interested. Connecting Threads has
kits for this quilt on sale (today only!) for 50% off while supplies last. It's a great bargain!
The quilt measures 59 1/2" x 76 1/2", which is a nice lap size. It's nice and bright and cheery, unlike the weather today. :)
Happy Monday to you!
Awesome! The name is perfectly fitting. I just picked up a bunch of your line from CT this morning along with a lot of fabric on sale. Looking forward to seeing it in person.
ReplyDeleteThat last photo is a great twofer—the quilt and a scrappy rug. So much joy is wrapped up in your finishes.
ReplyDeleteGreat colors!!!
ReplyDeleteI just ordered your fabric from Connecting threads - can't wait to get it, now I am going to have to get the pattern , ha ha . great job.
ReplyDeleteWonderful use of colors. I love the pattern!
ReplyDeleteI ordered the kit, you're right, it's a great deal.
ReplyDeleteI make lots of quilts, but I have never made a quilt from a kit, so I'm hoping it will work out! I don't do so good following the rules. We shall see what happens.
I love how you utilized the stripes!! This just says "fun" to me.
ReplyDeleteI love this quilt! Your friend's name is perfect for it, too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely quilt - such pretty colours.
ReplyDeleteAnother beauty!
ReplyDeleteWhat a super fun quilt! Great fabrics and fun colors. Love how you pieced the backing together.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilt and the name is perfect.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link to CT for the kit. Went over there and bought the kit. What a great kit and great price.
ReplyDeleteLovely quilt...the colors are perfect.
ReplyDeleteAnother fabulous quilt. I love the colours and the fabrics you used for the backing.
ReplyDeleteperfect pattern for your fabric. Loce the bright happy colors.
ReplyDeleteEverything about this quilt is darling! What a great use of stripes. The backing is perfect! The binding ties it all together. Anyone would love this quilt.
ReplyDeleteEverything about this quilt is adorable! Great work!
ReplyDeleteI bought the pirhouettes quilt kit from CT during their sale last week, and was tickled to discover that it got me nearly the ntire collection of Good Neighbors fat quarters for only $23. and change ! Good stuff !th
ReplyDeleteSorry about the errors, but for some reason, my comments don't show while I am typing them. They're INVISIBLE !LOL ! This one too ! They only show after they're published !
ReplyDeleteAnother real beauty! Just love your good neighbors :)
ReplyDeleteHoarding until the end of time--haha. I have a few fabrics like that. In 2016 I'm using them up!! Love this quilt. And love that I was standing next to it when Stephanie came up with the fabulous name!
ReplyDeleteLove the text print, it's all places in Paris, I think? Fitting that it would go on the back of "Cafe Umbrellas" as those are seen at the street cafes there. Isn't it interesting that you finished this quilt in the wake of the terrorism there?
ReplyDeleteL-O-V-E everything about this quilt!
ReplyDeleteGreat quilt, love these colors and your fabric!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilt! I always love your color palette and the way you mix prints!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to use those stripes. I tend to shy away from stripes for anything but binding. Thanks for the inspiration to be a little more brave about that. Love the colors, too.
ReplyDelete