If ever I thought a pile of fabric could be the actual death of me, it might have been this quilt. I truly thought I was never going to finish it. Actually, what I really thought was "I am never going to be done quilting this quilt! It is never-ending."
I took a look back through my social media and blog to see when I first mentioned working on it, and I'm not at all surprised to say that it was in July 2022. Three years ago.
I know it took me a while to piece it and assemble the quilt top, but that's not unusual. I tend to have several quilt projects on the go at the same time, usually in different stages of completion.
But once I make the "quilt sandwich" - the backing, batting and quilt top - I usually get the actual quilting done fairly quickly and easily. But not this baby.
For one thing, it is huge (89" x 86"). I've machine quilted a few bed size quilts over the years. (To clarify, I quilt on my regular sewing machine. I don't have a long-arm machine or anything close to it.) But I thought this quilt was going to do me in. I tried setting daily goals - I'll quilt 3 lines per day. I tried setting weekly goals - I'll quilt 10 lines a week. Yep.
She sat in the corner of my sewing room many weeks without being touched. I got about two-thirds of the quilting done and hit a wall. I think that was last summer. Or maybe fall, I can't remember.
Then the holidays came along, and then it was time to start the serious prep for the Nashville Needlework Market in March, and she just stayed in the corner.
Once we got through March, I decided to get this quilt off my list once and for all! I did something I've never done to a quilt project...I chopped 18 inches off the end of the quilt! Turns out, that was a great decision. It fits the bed perfectly at this size, it looks great and you can't even tell where I chopped it off.
I loved piecing this quilt, it was so happy and cheerful to work on. I wasn't so happy with it during the quilting process, but now that it's over (and I'm over it) I love this quilt. It's the perfect touch of "happy summer sunshine" for our bedroom.
As a bonus, I used a gorgeous navy floral for the backing, so I can just flip this puppy over and it'll be a great fall/winter quilt too!
For those who like the details about such things. I used a couple of Bonnie & Camille charm packs for the top. It was the Sunday Stroll collection for the main blocks. I used an Art Gallery Fabrics solid in Icy Mint for the stars, and the background is a Bonnie Christine fabric for AGF. It's called Aves Chatter something and it keeps it from looking too matchy matchy.
Jimmy said it makes him smile to look at it. I couldn't agree more.
Beautiful quilt. I like the story.
It’s absolutely stunning! I used to quilt many years ago & I know how you wondered if you would ever finish it. Perseverance is the key to quilting.
Where can pattern be purchased?
Where can pattern be purchased?
What is pattern called? Where can pattern be purchased?
I'm Robin, the designer behind October House. You've found my blog, where I ramble on about stitching and sewing and anything else that catches my fancy!
I love quiet colors, gentle stitches and making things by hand.
"My best friend is a person who will give me a book I have not read." - Abraham Lincoln
Patricia Huff
June 10, 2025
Would love to know where I can get the patter for this quilt