Tuesday, February 06, 2018

a very purple quilt top

Last week I had the random thought, "I can see making a purple quilt someday." I don't know about you, but that thought sure surprised me! I have never had a thought like that before! I'm not a fan of purple...it's definitely one of the hardest colors for me to work with. About 2-3 days later I got a phone call from a friend, who's sister is battling cancer. My friend asked me if I would I be willing to make a purple comfort quilt for her sister to use during the chemo treatments. (Coincidence? I think NOT!)
So, I pulled a bunch of purple (and violet) from my stash....
...and I pulled some purple scraps to round things out and got to work! There is no time to waste.
Here's my block layout....
...and the completed quilt top. The blocks are 9" finished. The quilt top measures 63" x 72" or so. I started cutting the fabric about 10:30am and I had the top pieced around 6pm. I purposely kept the pattern simple and the pieces fairly large so I can get it completed and to the recipient as soon as possible. I'm pleased with how it's coming along.

It's been awhile since I have had this much time to sew and I have to say, it's fun to make an entire quilt top in a day! (Even if it is purple. Hahaha!) Honestly, I'm just happy that I can help in some small way, you know?

41 comments:

Elaine M said...

Lovely and full of quilty hugs.

Charlotte M. said...

Lovely. I am coming around to purple too. I always choose simple designs for these kinds of quilts. No time to waste.

grammajudyb said...

Purple is one of my favorite colors and I have never made a purple quilt! I will have to change that! So kind of you to do this for your friend and her sister. I will tell you from experience, how much a quilt at this time will comfort her. I love it!

AnnieO said...

I love purple so am not sure why so many people find it hard to, but I’m glad you persevered:). Very pretty and colorful gift.

Vasudha said...

Love purple and your purple collection is awesome!

Bethany said...

I am not a big fan of purple, but this is beautiful!! And what a lovely motivation for listening to that voice in your head.

Mama Spark said...

It turned out great, Amanda! Simple quilts can be quite striking. I love a good rail fence quilt.

Robby said...

Isn't it always interesting how we become prepared for such projects? What a great quilt, that will obviously bring comfort in a time of need. Way to embrace the challenge.

Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl said...

The timing is definitely not a coincidence. What a wonderful thing to do for someone and I hope it provides some much needed comfort.

Chris said...

I'm also not a purple fan, but somehow I made a purple quilt a few years ago. The color does make for a striking quilt! I'm sure yours will be deeply appreciated; it's lovely.

Sherrill said...

I LOVE it and that would be perfect in any colors for a quick donation quilt. Need to remember that! She'll love it!

karen said...

That is glorious! Purple is a take-it-or-leave-it color for me, but it seems like everyone I know loves it.

Paula said...

This is a great quilt made for a great reason. One of my favorite quilts is a blue split rail comfort quilt I made for a friend of my daughter. I made that one in a day and quilted it the next, as she was having surgery 2 days later. It was well used and she's now doing great! Best wishes to the recipient of your quilt.

Unknown said...

I like it, although purple would not be my first pick either! Well done, and all the best for your friend's sister!

Jenny said...

Such a lovely gesture, and the purple quilt was meant to be. It will bring comfort to the patient going through such a tough time, and peace and contentment to you as you do this awesome, generous deed.

The Joyful Quilter said...

You are a true friend!! That quilt will be such a comfort.

Julie said...

I happen to love purple and it's funny that you had the urge to make a purple quilt and this wonderful opportunity came along. It's great that you could do this. Great quilt top!

Unknown said...

I love it when God drops an idea in your heart at the perfect time!

Anonymous said...

well I love purple and think this is the best quilt ever.

Grannie Annie said...

I love the purple quilt! You are a blessing to so many people and how wonderful of you to make this comfort quilt. May God bless you and this person battling cancer!

Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting said...

You have such chic fabrics. And I agree, that request was no coincidence. ❤️

Unknown said...

Sometimes we forget how lovely just a simple pattern can be. A simple gesture but look at the outcomes. Even in purple...

Jake_Christine said...

What a fabulous friend, you are... in ONE day! “Just do it!” And all that lovely purple in your stash... lovely stash🤩.

u keep sewing said...

That's so wonderful. Purple is kinda hard to do, but I do have some lavendar/ purple tops.
Thanks for making this world a better place. Best wishes to the receipient.
Have a great day!

Pat Hanna said...

This is a beautiful top. The simple pattern conveys a feeling of strength, and once it is quilted it will be a beautiful comfort to your friend's sister as she endures her treatments.

Ginger Marien said...

Beautiful, and such a work of love. I'm sure your friends sister will feel that love and comfort as she cuddles with it.

Flying So High said...

I love the way your top turned out!
You are inspiring me to stretch my color choices more.

Laura said...

Lovely color selections, and a nice, simple pattern is just the thing sometimes! (Actually, most of the time for me!)

Unknown said...

You know, I never do simple patterns like this, and I think that's a mistake. This really shows off the beauty of the fabrics. I have some special ones that I haven't used because they seemed like they would just disappear in the pattern. I am going to rethink my approach--a stash is great, but how much better if those beauties are out in the world!

Anne / Springleaf Studios said...

Beautiful. You've inspired me. I have a fabric pull of purple and magentas that came about because of a single Amy Butler fabric I bought last year. The thought of just jumping in and using a simple block to make something is something I'm trying to do more of this year to make use of all the various fabric groups I love. Maybe purple will be next. But first it's using my corals.

Unknown said...

I know the feeling about purple, but I keep getting requests for them so have made three in the last three years! The first one was for a coworker who was also going through chemo. I put white stars falling through it and called it “Catch a Falling Star 🌟 “ a song Perry Como sang when I was a child. She loved it. And I have the most recent one off to be longarmed for a friend I’ve had for 65 years. So much purple! I always do something crazy colored when I finish one of those to “clear the pallet” so to speak. Ha!

josiekitten said...

That is such a beautiful quilt. I'm sure it will be a great comfort to your friend's sister, I hope her treatment goes well.

Pam said...

Very nice many years ago I made a purple quilt for a special friend during her final days. Good thoughts to your friend's sister. I hope it all goes well for her.

=0)jessica said...

it looks lovely! do you mind if I ask, your blocks look so perfect and precise, did you use a die cutter or use a rotary?

Sandy Panagos said...

Definitely not a coincidence! I'm not a fan of purple either, but the few I've made have been well loved. Yours will be comforting for sure.

Grammy's Quilting Studio said...

Amanda Jean that message on the purple was sent from above. I went on your blog to send you a message. We decorated our Suntree library to advertise our upcoming quilt show at Seaside Piecemakers. I want to send you the picture of your book in the window. How do I do that? Won't let me add a picture to my comment. Mona Collins

Joy from Days Filled With Joy said...

It's just gorgeous! And it will be such a lovely gift... xx

Lorna McMahon said...

That random thought was right on time! You were fortunate to have enough purple fabrics in your stash to make this quilt top work. It's beautiful and will certainly be a comfort to the sister of your friend in a time of need. Looking lovely!

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

It turned out really great - and I am sure it will be just the perfect hug!

Live a Colorful Life said...

Definitely divine intervention. :)

Unknown said...

This is one of the prettiest quilts I've ever seen!! Purple is my favorite color, it's absoulety beautiful!!! I wish I was able to make such amazing art. I'm sure your friends sister will love and cherish it, and I sure am sending prayers and positive vibes her way. She's blessed to have good people around her to see her through this.