Prep-tastic

 

Whew!  This top took a long time to finish. 

 

This is the Clothesline Quilts pattern, aka the one that can be made with 9 pillowcases.  I refined the pattern a little to provide for strip piecing the 81 small nine-patch blocks and to tighten up the larger nine-patch arrangement on the front.

This version is being made with nine 3/4 yard pieces of the Moda Prep School fabric I posted about this weekend and natural linen sashing.  (Kaufman's Aiden in Natural) 

You could also use thrifted men's shirts for a similar effect.  The forthcoming tutorial will explain how to use nine pieces of yardage, nine pillowcases or nine shirts to make the blocks, back and binding for this quilt.

 

I really love the preppy look of this quilt top and am hoping it looks even better when it's finished!

ETA:  Yes.  This is the same project from the earlier photos.  Also, if you're collecting thrifted shirts for the tutorial, you'll need long-sleeved, size L-XL.  If you're collecting pillowcases, you'll need "standard" pillowcases (i.e. at least 20" wide by 30" long).  Pillowcases with a wide hem work best.  If you're collecting yardage, you'll need 3/4 yard or each cut.  (Nine of each.)

Comments

[Amanda Elizabeth]

this.is.amazing!!! It's like all the best parts of summer met with J.Crew and then had a party at your sewing machine! I love love love it!!!

[darlene]

It is so amazingly great! I can't believe how well the plaids all look together..nice that they all come from one line of course! Very nice!

[hayley l.]

So great!! I am normally not a plaid person but I am loving the watercolor painting look of this. I can only imagine all the work that went into the cutting, arranging, piecing, etc.

I've been meaning to ask you if you know anything about those fabric cutting machine thingies (that's the technical term, I'm sure...) that supposedly cut perfect squares/rectangles. I am intriqued by this, because I cannot cut perfect squares/rectangles. I'm sure they're a hefty investment but I'd be curious if you've had any experience with them.

Hope you're well!
hayley

PS- I'm still collecting vintage linens in blues and greens because SOMEDAY I'll make mySELF a quilt. I received some great ones from you during the swap; I just need to make some time!

[Elizabeth]

Thanks, everyone!

Hayley,
I've never really used those cutting machines. I think my mother might have one, but I've never seen her use it.

To me, they seem like more trouble than they're worth, but I'm also someone who finds rotary cutting to be quick and easy. If you find that you just aren't having success with rotary cutting, maybe that's something to look into.

If cutting is a hassle for you, another idea might be to look into working with pre-cut strips and squares.

Good luck!

[Michele]

*ohmyGodIloveitsomuch* It is so pretty, I have been a fan of mixing plaids like this forever, and now the designers are doing it! Oh well, I guess it just makes it easier for me to find stuff to work with. I am so impressed with your mad-crazy-fast skills, BTW!

[Anna]

Bravo!!
Beautiful colors !!!!!

[Barbara J]

I love the look of plaids but tend to shy away because the fabric isn't all squared up. You know how when you cut, the plaids just goes wonky on you. And I tend to prefer matching straight lines and squares ... What's your take?

[kim]

I love it! But I'm wondering . . . when do you sleep? lol

[Paula in NH]

I like how you set the small 9-patches into a larger 9-patch and then made the quilt one large 9-patch. It's a great quilt.

[Robin (rsislandcrafts)]

I love it! I like how the plaids are brighter than I usually see in shirts.

[Nancy]

Love it! It still looks like Sudoku.

[Alissa]

Such great use of the fabric & colors!! I love the linen sashing too... this one is a looker! Can't wait to see it all finished.

[Barb]

Oh, I can't wait for your tutorial! I have been saving vintage pillowcases for this project!

[Emily C]

I would so do this with thrifted shirts!

[jerilyn]

this makes me crave a summer picnic. i will certainly start picking up thrift shifts!

[Splomo]

I love this. And thank you for making a tutorial for strip piecing. I learn so much from the instructions you write.

It's a beautiful quilt. Just to be a complete quilt nerd, when I do this one I might fussy cut my plaids so each patch looks like a tiny nine patch.

I ain't making _nine_ of these quilts, though. That would be a bit much. :)

[Splomo]

Waitaminute, waitaminute. A few posts back, you showed us some vintage pillowcase strips, a cut up blue plaid shirt, and madras .... is this still all part of the same project?

What have you got up your sleeve?

[Jesselyn]

I totally love it!

[Jane]

What an awesome combination!!! You are an amazing quilter and inspire me daily!

[jaybird]

thanks for posting the large pic and the close up one.. i really like how different the quilt looks in both!

[Nanci]

Love it. I've been collecting vintage sheets and this is a perfect quilt to use them on, I can't wait for the tutorial. I'm with Kim, when do you sleep?

[Trisha]

This is so cute! I love how you grouped the blocks into their own nine patches. Love it!

[Jennifer]

GORGEOUS! It makes me want to have a picnic at the beach :)

[Jeanne]

Love those Madras Plaids. This pattern is so versatile, I LOVE IT. Thanks for sharing.

[Splomo]

Thanks for answering my question in your ETA footnote. Still curious here to see more, and checking back several times a day. :)