12 December 2014

A Finished Baby Boy Quilt Top


Charles Caleb Colton once said, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."

I sure hope so.

Although I am still in the process of refining my quilting and photography skills, this post is meant to be an imitation of what you would routinely see on Red Pepper Quilts.  Rita is a master of both.





I was surprised, delighted and a little apprehensive when approached through email to make a custom order baby quilt.

The customer explained, "I was referred by Rita at Red Pepper Quilts. Looking for someone who can design a quilt for a baby boy."  Something in soft green and blues and other accent colors.  She wanted "a whimsical and fun patchwork quilt with striped black and white border (binding)."  Then passed along pictures from Rita's blog post here.

I agreed to make a patchwork quilt the same size, using 3" finished squares, and attempting to get the same feel with the fabrics.  Of course this meant, to acquire suitable prints for this project, an online shopping spree was in order.  Two shopping sprees actually.  One from Fabric Spot here.  And one from Mad About Patchwork here.




I do have a wide range of solids, but...  As I explained to Rita, "I certainly don't have the lovely stash or many years of experience that you do.  And am not trying to copy your quilt, but am very excited to be making one that is similar (I hope!)."


Rita replied, "I don't feel that you are copying my quilt, after all, they are just plain old squares - no need for any credit!!"

So humble.  And so darn nice!




While reading a recent post for another baby boy custom quilt, I came across this quote from Rita's blog post here.

"So simple! All squares and a mix of blue, black, grey and white prints. Pulling together a combination of fabrics like is my favorite part of the fabric-play process, but I do think that I make it look just a little easier than what it really is. I've had a lot of practice at this. It helps to start with a clear vision of how you want the quilt to look, and also to have on hand a variety of fabrics to audition."

And she's not kidding.  You may look at a simple patchwork quilt and think, "That's so easy!  Anybody can do that!"  Sure.  Try it.  Go to your stash and pull out 40 to 50 different fabrics.  Cut them up and throw them up on the design wall.  How does it look?





An eclectic mix of whimsical, geometric, and text prints featuring soft aquas and greens.  With a little yellow and orange thrown for contrast.  Some grey neutrals to balance the whole thing out.


 
304 squares each measuring 3 inches x 3 inches (excluding seam allowances).
Quilt top measures 48 inches x 57 inches.
50+ different printed fabrics.








Now ready for basting and quilting.  Thank you, Rita!


Linking up to Finish it up Friday with Amanda Jean of Crazy Mom Quilts....
And TGIFF! hosted this week with M-R at Quilt Matters.







 Keep On Quilting On!





http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/5578781

To follow Sew Fresh Quilts by email....

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner
Craftsy

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

39 comments:

Bower Bird Patch said...

It's truly delicious Lorna. I'm a big fan of Rita's fresh fabric choices and admire her ability (and stash!) to be able to put them all together like she does. You've done so well and I reckon your customer will be stoked with it.

Karin said...

So true...not that simple to get the balance right. I love your choice of fabric.

margaret said...

what a wonderful collection of fabrics you have got in this quilt and to get all the seams spot on amazing

Judy@Quilt Paradigm said...

Wonderfully done, Lorna! In my pre-quilting days, I was one of those people who would look at quilts like this and think, how easy that would be. . . haha You are so right! So much more to get the look and the right balance and you did a fabulous job with this one!

Patricia said...

Great quilt with all the colors and patterns. Yes, it does look easy but then there are all those corners to match.

Sarah Fredette said...

Anything with the word 'simple' in the description is bound to be waaaaaay harder than it looks. :D You did a really really great job with this. :D Looks perfect for a happy little boy!

Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty said...

I'm an admirer of Rita's work, too. (Actually, I have a quilt inspired by one of her projects planned for next year.) I think this quilt top is lovely -- a beautiful, cohesive palette with the perfect balance between color and neutrals. Well done!

Dominique said...

You nailed it, Lorna. both with the quilt, and with this post. You have the balance just right, and yest, I know it is not as easy as it looks! Great job!

mlisshouston said...

It looks absolutely perfect!! Excellent job!!
Have to admit, it would be more fun shopping for all those fabrics than placing them.

Vicki in MN said...

Nice job, you pulled it off, it looks like Rita's style with a Lorna twist!

~Diana said...

I too am a fan of Rita's designs, and yours turned out fabulous!~ Well done!

Red Pepper Quilts - Rita Hodge said...

Yep - like Dominique said, you nailed. I love how it turned out; and with your own "sew fresh" signature style. It's perfect!

Mari said...

Lovely! I bet it was fun picking out those fabrics, but exhausting too! Turned out beautiful!

Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl said...

You did a fabulous job, Lorna! It can definitely be a huge challenge to get that many prints to play well together and you nailed it!

Carla said...

You nailed it! A fresh fun baby quilt that I'm sure the customer will love. Rita inspires us all : )

Unknown said...

Beautiful quilt! I agree 100% with your statement, 'You may look at a simple patchwork quilt and think, "That's so easy! Anybody can do that!" Sure. Try it.' I tried making a similar quilt this summer and while it came out nice it didn't have nearly the softness of yours. Rita is going to be in the US teaching this Spring. I really, really, really wanted to enroll but just didn't have enough vacation time to use for both Quiltcon and a long quilt weekend. Guess I'll just have to stop working.....right?!? :-)

Becky J. said...

Love the fabric and the simple design. Matching up all those little points is not an easy one...but it looks wonderful in the end.

Kathy@KayakQuilting said...

So beautiful! And yes this does look a lot like the quilts that we see on Rita's site...but it is all yours! I love the grey you added, makes for a wonderful overall visual! And, my goodness, your photographs are stylistically like hers! I need to work on my skills in this area. Always seems like I just drop the quilt on the floor and photograph it!!

Daytona Damsel said...

I have a time laying out four or five different fabrics, 50! Oh my. Cudos to you for coming up with a great layout. What design are you quilting on it?
Debbie

Rachel said...

Very pretty! You did an awesome job at balancing the lights and darks! All I know is that when I did a french braid quilt with 12 fabrics, I was stuck for an awful long time at 11! Great work, the recipient is going to love it!

Beth said...

Well done - you completing achieved it in my opinion. I love this quilt.

Lara B. said...

You nailed it Lorna! It sure isn't as easy as you and Rita make it look, I know! Oh - I see some very sweet fussy cutting in there too. The whole quilt looks marvelous!

Mareenchen said...

Absolutely lovely and not just for a boy. I'd totally take it for my girl, too. :)

Zenia Rene said...

LOVELY!!

greeneggs said...

I love RPQ and I love this warm crisp little quilt! Great job!

Lisa J. said...

It looks great Lorna.You did a great job with the fabrics.

M-R Charbonneau said...

Fabulous, Lorna! Great job mixing the fabrics -- wow! Very Rita, but with a dash of Lorna. :)

Vicki said...

All of these prints are dreamy! I love patchwork quilts. It will be fun to see how you end up quilting this one.

Heather Graves said...

Pretty, always inspired by red pepper quilts, she makes it look easy!

Christine S said...

You done Rita great, this looks wonderful! Love it!!

Sarah @ mila+cuatro said...

It looks great, random but balanced.

Anonymous said...

Lorna, I don't know why you doubted yourself I think you make beautiful quilts.
This quilt is proof of that. The problem with "simple" is, it isn't. A lot of hard
work goes into making "simple". I hope from this commission your business will grow.
J. Mary.

JanineMarie said...

Ooh, you nailed it with all those fun prints. I think finding the right prints is a challenge for boy quilts, but your quilt and Rita's are great models of what can work. Thanks for sharing all the close-ups!

Laney said...

It's lovely! Looks so good. Nice job.

Jennie @ Porch Swing Quilts said...

Well, your photography is stunning, just like Rita's, and it helps that the quilt itself is gorgeous. You've done a fabulous job!

Lisa in Port Hope said...

That is definitely a finish worth celebrating. I can't wait to see quilted in all its crinkly goodness.

Jak and Will by Stephanie said...

I spotted some 'Mixed Bag' fabric in there, isn't it great! I'm hoping to soon post a ball I've made this week using that fabric. I love it!

CeLynn said...

Very nicely done Lorna,this is a beautifully balanced quilt,and so fresh too!

Kim S. @ Leland Ave Studios said...

This is such a lovely quilt, Lorna! Its simple, its honest, and it's fresh! It's going to make a perfect finish, and I can't wait to see!

Follow me Everywhere!

Follow on Bloglovin'

Follow by Email HERE...

To have new posts delivered to your inbox, enter your email address, and click on Sign Up! FeedBurner will send a confirmation message. Click the verify link within that message to start your subscription.

Visit my Pattern Shop...



Wholesale printed patterns?
Contact me at
sewfreshquilts@gmail.com


Join Our Sew Along on Facebook

Back to Top