Elliot's Quilt Finished

I needed to wash this anyway, so I decided I would take pictures in the snow.  So, here is Elliot's twin-sized quilt. 

The featured fabric is Alexander Henry's 2D Zoo.  The sashing is green Essex linen/cotton.  The other fabrics are a mix of mostly geometric patterns including some dots, some gingham and some fancy-schmancy Italian shirting cottons.

 

This isn't really so much of a pattern, but I did do the layout first in Excel.  There are five columns of 9.5" wide blocks with 4.5" sashing between them and at the top and bottom.  (Measurements include seam allowance.)  Blocks are three heights: 2.5", 3.5" and 4.5".  In addition to the 2D Zoo, I used sixteen prints, which I divided into four color families.  On my Excel spreadsheet, I noted whether each block should be the feature fabric, the sashing fabric or one of the four families and them chose which specific print from each of the families as I worked.

    

I used the idea from the Stacked Coins quilt in Last Minute Patchwork and Quilted Gifts of having some of the "coins" be made of the sashing fabric and I liked the way that broke it up.

I laugh looking at these photos now because when I took them yesterday morning, we had maybe 3" of snow in our yard.  As I type, we have at least 8 - 10" which is now being coated in freezing rain.  I'm glad I don't have to go anywhere today!  We ended up postponing the party we were supposed to have last night -- the one for which I was making all the cookies -- because of the horrible weather, so the cookie posts are going to pick back up next week, leading up to the new party date on January 5. 

 

My kitties are going to be so sad when I finish working on Christmas quilts.  They've both been taking turns laying on the stack of quilts that's been sitting on my printer waiting for binding.  Now that Elliot's quilt is finished, I've washed it and wrapped it up in plastic so the cats can't get any hair on it!

Comments

[Laurence]

Very beautiful quilt. I love your quilting.

[Kelley]

beautiful! I was going to make your cookies for gifts! Thank you for sharing they look amazing. I am in Central Oregon and we have A LOT of snow too. At least a foot!

[Cheri]

That's such a great quilt. I agree, having a few horizontal coins of the sashing fabric makes a big difference.

[Genny]

Just found your site and LOVE IT! I have been sewing since I was a kid and recently took up a quilting class. I ran out of fabric so I improvised and the instructor was a little snippy about "not following the plan". I love the way it turned out...and your creative quilts really gave me some motivation to venture out of the quilting box!

[Shannon Storms]

Lovely quilt, I love those greens and blues.

[Marie]

Love the quilt! And I'm a big fan of the kitty pics... My kitty (also a tabby) is an avid lover of laying on my fabric and quilts wherever they may be.

[Alissa]

Oh it's wonderful! And I can so relate to your cats. I always wait until the last moment to wash a finshied quilt 'cause it's pretty much a useless cause to keep it away from the cats!

[Jane Weston]

Cute pictures all around...love the quilt for Elliot...and a great setting to take the final pic.

[Sarah C]

Thank you so much for sharing the dimensions for your quilt. I really like the way that it turned out.

I also love the cat pictures! We have a black cat, a white one, and a tabby looking manx. We can never get a good picture of our black cat...at least not the way that you are able to capture yours.

[Holt Gallery Quilt]

I loved Elliot's quilt. Hope I will make one and post on my blog someday soon. My goal for 2009 is try to finish 30 or more quilts (excluding table runners or other small quilt projects which I have been doing lately due to my health but I am getting better). Thank you for sharing and give us a boost to quilt more!

[Anne]

The quilt turned out great, looks great on the snow. And your kitties are too adorable!

[Emily C]

I love the colors. That Alexander Henry fabric has been on my wish list for awhile now. Just don't have a project in mind for it yet.

[Nic]

Elliot's quilt looks fantastic! The colour combination is gorgeous.
Here in Australia we are meant to have a lovely hot Christmas, but lately the ridiculous weather has left us expecting a white Christmas too.

[jennifer]

i've got a couple of really fuzzy cats. they love getting on my projects. everything that's in progress has a layer of fuzz on it.

[Abby]

Your cats are cuties! And the quilt is amazing! Ah, I love it when a quilt is finished....

[Patty]

I love it! Please tell us what Elliot thinks of the quilt when he receives it.

[Cheri]

You make such beautiful quilts, I love the colours and fabric on this one...and of course, your cats :)

[sonia]

beautiful! I love that fabric...and the pattern you made up is great. Your kitties are so darn cute. They just can't resist a quilt can they? Merry Christmas!

[quiltdivajulie]

Congrats on the finish - love how you took photos in the snow! And the kitty photos are SO adorable! (I do have a soft spot for kitties on quilts)

[beesnestdeb]

I love the stacked coins quilt! I live in Portland and have enjoyed having the unexpected snow days to finish up some Christmas crafts.

We were going to have a cookie and cocoa party last night for a bunch of friends too but only a few could make it so now I have so many cookies. My neighbors are each going to get a huge plate full!

[Handmade]

Lovely quilt - great snow photos - the background with the clean and crisp blues and greens are stunning!

[Jess]

I'd love to see the Excel file for that, as a non-quilter who is now (thanks to your blog) quilting-curious.

I like the cookie recipes too! Congratulations on the snow!

[Ginny]

Hi, I would also love to see the Excel file or a tutorial on how to use Excel to plan a quilt. Thanks for the inspiration!

[Robin (rsislandcrafts)]

The quilt is stunning, but the last shot of your kitty is priceless.

[Tammy Seguin]

Love your blog - I chuckle everytime I see cats resting on quilts...check out my blog to see my "puppy" resting on my latest quilt!
http://little-itchy-foot.blogspot.com/