My husband’s aunt asked me, months ago, if I would make a quilt that she could give as a new baby gift. Her niece was having a girl, but she didn’t want anything super-girly. I had two charm packs of Hullabaloo in my stash that jumped out as a good option.
I toyed with a few ideas that were ultimately non-starters, and eventually decided to just do straight patchwork. Simple, easy, always good-looking. Except, here’s the problem: those damned charm packs. They SEEM like such a good idea, but then they aren’t all REALLY exact 5″ squares. I’m not saying my points and corners always match up the way they should, but when it’s so obviously NOT MY FAULT… argh, it was frustrating, to say the least.
I added borders to make it just a bit bigger, finishing around 45″ x 55″, but the whole thing just didn’t quite want to lie flat and straight. Hrmph. Maybe this is why I don’t usually do borders? But I decided my initial plan to quilt with straight lines would not be wise, so I did free-motion meandering for the first time in I-can’t-even-remember how long. (Answer: last September. Wowza.)
The back was a mish-mash of things I pulled from my stash. It was just a hair too big to back it with a single piece of fabric, but I was determined not to buy anything new, since clearly I already have entirely too much fabric.
The ultimate destination is somewhat up in the air. My aunt just found out that her niece already has a new quilt, so this one might go to another new baby girl. Either way, though it’s not exactly perfect, I’m glad to have this one done. Though I may never do straight patchwork with a charm pack again.
It’s gorgeous. I know that frustration-I just used a Riley Blake stacker which was about 3/16″ off on one side. I didn’t even realize it until I stacked two squares together and they didn’t match so I turned one 90 degrees and it matched.
gale recently posted..Snappy Birthday
It s frustrating. I’ve been squaring up my charm squares with a ruler which seems so silly. But even then, not all of the squares can be straightened up.
Amy C recently posted..City Girl Holiday Quilt Top Finished
Regardless of the issues you had, it is BEAUTIFUL! I would suppose that any “non-sewer” wouldn’t notice if your points don’t match, only that they received a beautiful hand-made quilt.
How frustrating. It looks good though – very sweet.
Cille recently posted..Flock, Terrain and the 60 degree ruler…
I think it is adorable. I had a similar issue with my Mommy Quilt that used Jelly Rolls, the patterns and solids were not the same width so I had to trim and trim and trim, which seemed to have defeated the purpose of buying pre-cut. I do think that your quilt is gorgeous though, and wherever it ends up will be with a lucky baby.
Jen recently posted..366: Day 149
Ooooo, love this one! Not shockingly, I love a nice, orderly patchwork, and I always love your wandering quilting. I could never do something so lovely and random.
I also love the fabric. And Hullabaloo is a word we use at Texas A&M, so doubly-fun. Wish I had a baby girl to go with it! =)
I’m so over pre-cuts: ) This came out beautifully and I love your choices for the border and binding!!! I’m sure it will be well loved!
alidiza recently posted..That’s so Twisted!
I agree with Emily C. It’s beautiful, like all your quilts!
Amy recently posted..Michael’s Diagnosis (long post)