Saturday, November 19, 2016

Green String Toddler Quilt

For once, an easy finish. The stash of presewn blocks made this a quick job. I laid the blocks out and sewed them up in one afternoon. Small tops take very little quilting time. I channel quilted on the diagonal using the walking foot and casually spacing about the width of that foot. With this design, it's important to keep the quilt square with your hands or it can warp into a diamond.

Green String toddler quilt

Continuing my vow not to save fabric for a {possible but unspecified} future use, these two made a delightful back. The yellow moons with lilies have always made me smile.

Back of Green String toddler quilt

Originally I cut some light green binding but didn't like it. When I added it to the little box of leftover binding I found lots of green remnants. They work much better for me. The purple dot is the last of an apron made two years ago for my dear sister who's passed away. It's a cherished memento.

Binding and quilting detail on green string toddler quilt

Off to my darling grandson this week.

Quilt Details
Size: 40" x 48"
Batting: Mountain Mist Cream Rose 100% cotton
Thread: Gutterman green cotton
Quilting: Walking foot on a domestic machine

The next AHIQ linkup is the coming Tuesday. What utility or improvisational quilting do you have to share?

This Thanksgiving I hope we all consider how we can share our many blessings with others.

Enjoy the day,
Ann

18 comments:

Annie said...

I absolutely love that green string quilt, so adorable! I'm in need of a green throw, that would be a nice idea for my next quilt.

linda said...

What a delightful quilt.

LA Paylor said...

ooo you know I like this one! Especially the surprise diagonal of red

Ann said...

The blocks were made to use up my scrap bag and each is a single color. I liked the green best, too, when I decided to finish these off. I look forward to seeing your finish. It's the time of year for a new throw.

Ann said...

Thanks for writing, Linda. I'm pleased you like it, too.

Ann said...

Oh, Lee Anna, I'm certain it would have some fun surprises if you'd made this. I was very pleased to work that last bit of paper piecing in. Of all the block sets, this color attracted me the most; probably because of that red.

Paul said...

I love the quilting! You have given me inspiration for a couple of similar quilts I have sitting on my pile of completed (or almost completed) tops that I have been waiting to quilt, but lacking the time and inspiration. I can see that those straight lines create such wonderful texture, and I'm envisioning playing with the thread colors and weight to create a secondary texture going through my diagonal blocks. Thanks for sharing your wonderful work, it's truely amazing!

Ann said...

I haven't heard from you in a while, Paul. Glad to know you're still quilting. Channel quilting looks good, doesn't require much effort or ability, and is quick. (Perfect for these quilts.) My batting shrinks after washing and that enhanced the texture, too. Your plan to vary thread color and weight will improve the design. Great idea. The only thing to watch for while quilting is to keep the quilt square. While quilting, I held the blocks so they were straight-of-grain and alternated the direction of the stitching (lower left to top right, then top right to lower left) to keep the quilt from stretching. It worked very well; only 1/4" distortion at the end.
I want to see yours when you finish.

KaHolly said...

Looks great! I think the binding looks really good pieced. I can't shar what I've been working on. It's secret sewing! XO

Ann said...

With the approaching holidays there's lots of secret sewing. What fun it will be to see it in January; a treat to save us from post-holiday blues! I'll look forward to the big reveal.

Lisa J. said...

Great finish!

Mary Marcotte said...

Love this quilt, Ann. The backing made me smile, too, but those greens look wonderful together. I haven't made a string quilt in a long while. If only there were enough time to make all the quilts!

Ann said...

Isn't that the truth, Mary! I made these blocks in January to clear out my scrap bag. It's overflowing again. There are so many other quilts I want to make, too, but string quilts are very useable and fun.

Ann said...

Thanks, Lisa. I'm glad you like it, too.

patty a. said...

The quilt turned out wonderful! The purple dot fabric is perfect in the binding.

Ann said...

Thanks for the kind comment, Patty. It's such a meaningful scrap; I miss my sister so much.

Cathy said...

I like the unusual appearance of those red squares. Hmmmm. I never thought of cutting up some orphan blocks to use with strings in a string quilt. What a clever idea.

Ann said...

I'm not sure why I kept it so long except that I liked the colors and fabric. It was difficult to make the first cut. Then it was a breeze. I've also seen other quilters overdye their orphan blocks to great effect (although it was after the tops were made.