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Tuesday, August 12, 2008

bento box


After seeing so many fabulous bento box quilts, I knew I had to make one. This one really did me in. I love what this pattern does with plain solids. All the fabric was from my stash.

I was going to try to branch out with the quilting this time, but in the end I chickened out and fell back on my old stand by. After quilting the vintage sheets quilt so loosely, and being less than thrilled with the results, I took my time and stippled it very small. Each of the center squares is 2" finished, so you can get a feel for how small the stippling really is. I think the quilting alone took me 3 days. It sure makes the quilt nice and bunchy after washing.

The backing is something I picked up at Mill End awhile back, and I love it!!! It's one of the main reasons that I am keeping this quilt for myself.

And yet again, I used a pieced binding because the remaining green fabric I had wasn't quite enough. There are 2 tones of green used for the binding. I made sure to limit the colors because I didn't want it to get too busy and detract from the pattern. I love how my fabric diet really pushed me to be creative and use what I have.

The quilt measures 48" x 72".

63 comments:

  1. I've done a few bento box quilts. I love that pattern. It always comes together so beautifully whether it's solids, batiks, or prints. In fact, I might be feeling another one coming on now!

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  2. Anonymous4:25 PM

    WOW! It's so beautiful! I love your choices of color - really such a lovely balance of tones. And the quilting... I can only imagine how long it took to do it so densely, but the pay off is amazing!

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  3. Love it! Thanks for sharing!

    I'm looking to make one of these as well - and knowing the centers are 2" was just the info I needed! Hee hee!

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  4. It is super cute. I love it. I want one.

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  5. I love your Bento Box quilt! The colors are gorgeous! Your new fabric purchases are beautiful! Enjoy them!

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  6. Anonymous5:07 PM

    I love your blog; I look at it every day!!
    That's why you have won an award for me!
    Check out my quilting blog for the details!

    Kate

    http://katesquiltsnmore.blogspot.com/

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  7. Love the clolours you have used in this one!Your small quilting looks awesome.

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  8. I keep seeing these all over blogland. Yours is really terrific and I am inspired to try it myself soon. I love the soft calming colors you used.

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  9. Anonymous5:33 PM

    lovely!!!

    i haven't tried the bento yet, but have been dying to!

    love the color choices! the pattern really stands out!

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  10. I love this! I need to get me a pattern for this one, I really love it.

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  11. love bento boxes as well and yours is just stunning! another fabulous job

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  12. I like this pattern so much and your colorscheme on this quilt is really good!

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  13. it's gorgeous! I love it!

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  14. Oh its just gorgeous. I love the colors you used and the quilting as well.

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  15. I really love this quilt. I love the simplicity of the solids, yet the pattern gives it visual texture.

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  16. It looks great, but I have to tease you for sticking with habit... I'll get you to change your stipple yet.

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  17. I love it! No wonder you're keeping it! :o]

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  18. I love Bento Boxes, and yours is beautiful. I have the pattern, and its on my list.

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  19. Another lovely quilt, Amandajean. You are one talented lady.

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  20. Wow that is just fantastic..just love it...I did try and do one of these but my fabric was far too busy...

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  21. This turned out so beautiful! I have a bento box on my list, due to this quilt I think it has moved closer to the top!

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  22. very nice, I would keep it for me too!
    Jodie

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  23. It turned out beautifully!! I love the colors! And in case I didn't comment on your fabric ( I can't remember) I LOVE it all. Especially those stripes and numbers - I adore them!!

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  24. Such a beautiful quilt! I do agree I just love the small stippling it really makes in nice after washing!!!
    Kristie

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  25. ahhhhhhhhh! love this. and the colors. fabulous!

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  26. this is absolutely gorgeous! What a wonderful way to show of solid colors!

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  27. I absolutely love this! I want to make one of these and I think you are right using solids, they look great. I also love the pieced binding. This quilt is a work of art!!!

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  28. The color combinations and the use of solids on this one are just perfect. Good for you for keeping it for yourself!

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  29. I LOVE this pattern! You're definitely right, solids look amazing, simple and understated, but amazing at the same time! nice work!! I can only imagine that 3 days of quilting for you is like 3 years of quilting for me! ;)

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  30. This is such a great pattern! And yours is beautiful! I love these quilts made from solids :-) I didn't buy it before I went on my book-and-pattern-diet, so I guess I'll have to wait until after Christmas :-(

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  31. Anonymous4:26 AM

    This is so soothing to look at - colors & all.

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  32. Now I really want to work on mine (A direct flickr lift - but I asked if i could be a copy cat... DS Katie Jump Rope blues & greens with Kona Snow)

    Must finish other stuff, Must finish other stuff, must finish other stuff...

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  33. Anonymous6:42 AM

    Oh I love this quilt!

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  34. Hi Amanda Jean, this would qualify as a finish for your Summer Stash Challenge..no?

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  35. Anonymous7:47 AM

    What a beautiful quilt!

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  36. That one did me in too. And yours is beautiful also. Not much room on my to do list for a quilt right now, but I keep finding inspiration here on your blog.

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  37. that is really beautiful. I love how a quilt looks after a good washing

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  38. I just bought the bento box pattern and can't wait to use it. I love how yours came out! The solids are so pretty, I love the unexpected purples and blues. Great!!

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  39. its perfect! love the small stippling. kinda one of your trademarks if you ask me!

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  40. Anonymous9:21 AM

    Love it! Love it! Love it! The colors...the pattern...the quilting....just stunning!

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  41. Amanda,
    This is so beautiful! Your colors are perfect. Your quilting is perfect. I am just in plain awe.
    Where can I get a pattern for a Bento Box quilt? I'm so inspired.
    ~jane

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  42. jane,

    I didn't buy a pattern...just figured out the measurements that I wanted to use based on the center square. if you google "bento box quilt pattern" a ton of sites will come up where you can order it. or else check your local quilt shop.

    aj

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  43. I love this pattern too!

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  44. Oh my gosh! It's lovely! One of these is on my to-do list too.

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  45. It looks great! Sometimes the standby is best that way your comfortable :) Enjoy it - I'm glad your keeping it!

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  46. So pretty! I love the colors!

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  47. This is my favorite Bento Box so far. I love it done in solids and you selected a wonderful grouping of colors. Well done!

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  48. Wow! It's Beautiful. And the back -- LOVE it too!

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  49. Anonymous8:13 AM

    you must be wonderful to have so many generous friends!!!!
    i love your quilts! they inspire me.
    my fav. colors right now are those blues/greens in that quilt you just made. such a cool quilt.
    i'm going back on my fab. diet after i buy the rest of a fabric line i'm getting for a new quilt!! (and my REAL diet after i figure out how to make almond croissants that don't look like my dog got to them first!)
    congrats on potty training success!!
    have a great week!! and fun with that new fabric!!!!

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  50. It's gorgeous! I love it! I love purples and greens together.

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  51. Love the colors (and workmanship) in the Bento box.

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  52. Anonymous9:39 AM

    I just bought this pattern and your quilt is
    just gorgeous. If you wouldn't mind telling me what line of fabric you used in it?

    Thanks, Marilyn

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  53. This is a lovely quilt with great use of colours! The pattern is new to me but definitely something I want to try someday, clear and simple.
    This would also qualify for the Summer Stash Challenge as another quilt of yours.

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  54. Fabulous Bento Box quilt! I love the quilting on it.

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  55. Anonymous10:47 AM

    What a beautiful quilt. Thanks for sharing.

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  56. I love this pattern, and I love that you can make such a large quilt, all from your stash, without that 'scrappy' look!

    Beautiful.

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  57. I love the pattern and the colors you chose. It turned out so beautiful! I love the tight quilting, too. I too am more of a fan of tight quilting over the looser quilting. Good job!

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  58. Beautiful, nice colors chose!!
    OH, now you are in my faves in my needlework blog, come and see.!

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  59. Anonymous9:59 AM

    Beautiful quilt!

    I think I'm going to have to make one now. :-D

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  60. Anonymous5:49 AM

    i've been contemlating a bento box quilt for a while now... i think erhaps this has just done it for me!! it's beautiful.. good job!! Lx

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  61. This is just lovely! I want to make a baby bento. Limes and browns.

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  62. Marcia in AZ6:00 PM

    Marcia in AZ: Just finishing the 2nd Bento Box top for my granddaughter. Idiot that I am I must not have read the instructions well enough to put the little squares together. Duh!!!- On the first one I just took the backing and wrapped in around to the front to sort of form a border. Will that be a problem? I hope not.

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