All winter I knew there was a baby quilt on my spring schedule. Our niece was due in March with the first baby of the next generation on either side of our family and finally I'd get to use some of those many 30s repro prints and Japanese children's figurals that I've been collecting forever. When I returned from Japan, I started hunting for patchwork patterns that would showcase each fabric design individually yet would allow them all to work together. I found this surprisingly challenging! Once I came across this photo on Flickr, everything clicked and I was off to the races.
I drafted a 5" block and had lots of fun making up them up in the fabrics I'd been waiting to use for so long. The American Jane pindots were the perfect *print that reads solid* to use for backgrounds on many of the squares.
I ended up playing beat the clock on this project. Because of my lack of machine quilting skills, I decided to handquilt it, which added a little time to its eventual finish. And I don't usually label my quilts, because I'm often skidding in under the deadline if they're gifts. However, I've seen so many lovely ones recently and I like the idea of some identification so once it was quilted, I pored through the stash to find something appropriate that might work as an interesting base.
This Kaffe Fassett fabric wasn't under consideration. I was just moving it off of my table when that single orange & blue beach ball motif jumped out at me.
After ironing some freezer paper on the back to stabilize it, I used a .03 Micron pen to personalize it. Why does my photo look blurry?!! It's quite clear in my files, as is the script, which looks a bit shaky here. *sigh* (The last names are intentionally blurred, however.)
I'm really happy with the final result, which fits the theme and color palette of the quilt so well!
36.5" x 46.5"
It was such a pleasure to make this quilt, though it was a constant reminder of how quickly time flies. It doesn't seem that long since I was working on our gift for Owen's mother when she was born. Baby quilts are so much fun to make...quick and satisfying. I hardly made a dent in my kiddy print stash, so I look forward to the next family *announcement*. In the meantime, however, I'll be polishing up my machine quilting skills!
**On closer inspection, all of my photos have uploaded less clear than the original files. I occasionally have this problem with Typepad...do others? I'm less inclined to complain this week, however, since TP has provided a wonderful search feature which I've just uploaded to my sidebar. Finally!!
A wonderfully happy quilt for a wonderfully happy occasion!
Posted by: diane | April 12, 2010 at 02:25 PM
super cute! :)
will i see you at the quilt show this weekend? i think my mom and i are going to go on friday but i might go saturday as well
Posted by: carolyn | April 12, 2010 at 04:26 PM
That is definitely a cutie-pie quilt! Really fun and sweet! You know, those American Jane pindots are GREAT! White dot, black dot, useful colors. They're perfect with your prints and larger dots. I especially love the orange fabrics you've used. Awwwww...
Posted by: amy | April 12, 2010 at 04:29 PM
Love it! And I love the beach ball label. V. clever.
Must get some of those pindots. . .
Posted by: kern | April 12, 2010 at 05:00 PM
What a fun quilt, I think any child would love one like it! Love the label too, I must remember to look better at fabrics for things like that.
Posted by: Marion | April 12, 2010 at 05:02 PM
That's adorable and you really had a light bulb moment with the label! Love it!
Posted by: Kristin | April 12, 2010 at 05:19 PM
How stinkin' cute is THAT!?!! I LOVE it!!! Baby or not! And the beach ball label...BRILLIANCE!!
Posted by: Kim | April 12, 2010 at 05:34 PM
Love the beach ball on the back with the polka dots, it is just perfect.
Posted by: pinksuedeshoe | April 12, 2010 at 05:43 PM
Owen is getting a super quilt and the label should get a ribbon!
Posted by: Mimi | April 12, 2010 at 06:28 PM
How funny that I just downloaded the tutorial to draft the block yesterday. I love the quilt, it looks so happy with all those wonderful fabrics. The beach ball was a perfect label.
Posted by: Janet | April 12, 2010 at 06:50 PM
What a great baby quilt! I love your label - its perfect. I can relate to the wanting to handquilt something - I wish I was a better machine quilter too.
Posted by: janet | April 12, 2010 at 06:59 PM
Darling quilt and label!
I need to get my eyes checked cause all of the pictures lately have been a little fuzzy to me so I am no help in that area. Sorry. :)
Posted by: Judy's Common Thread | April 12, 2010 at 08:02 PM
What a cute quilt!! The label is perfect!
It is a great size for a little boy to grow into and get pleasure from for years!!!
Posted by: Miriam | April 12, 2010 at 08:09 PM
That Kaffe fabric beach ball made a great label. Truly inspired!
Posted by: wishes, true and kind | April 12, 2010 at 08:37 PM
Love this quilt, I have made that block a few times and it's a favorite. That's a really great baby quilt, bright,colorful, love something that's different and not pink or blue! Great fabrics...back on here computer crashed, daughter got married in Aruba, a great vaction. Came home Friday, finally get to clean sewing room and S.E.W.! thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Wendy | April 12, 2010 at 10:08 PM
The quilt is really awesome, and your images are not at all blurry on my computer!
Posted by: Lori | April 12, 2010 at 10:30 PM
That is a marvelous quilt ... lucky Owen!!
Posted by: Ruth | April 12, 2010 at 11:07 PM
Wow! It's fabulous Jan -- I'm sure your niece will be thrilled. I've always loved that pattern -- I think it's perfect for a baby quilt!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | April 12, 2010 at 11:13 PM
Great pattern and works so well with the children theme fabric. I just love the dots paired with the juveniles. And handquilted! Wow! Lucky baby!!
Posted by: Carla | April 13, 2010 at 12:21 AM
I really like how you used the pindots as whirligig backgrounds and I love, love, love that label you made!
Posted by: Meghan | April 13, 2010 at 12:25 AM
love the pinwheel pattern!
Posted by: Monica | April 13, 2010 at 04:06 AM
Love this baby quilt!.... and yeay to you for documenting with that cute label!!
Big QUILT show this weekend ! I am taking the "old lady bus"( yes me included)up on Friday... will we see you there taking pics of the vintage applique???*wink*
Posted by: Schnoobie | April 13, 2010 at 09:02 AM
I've loved this pattern for quite a while. Yours is terrific!
Posted by: Kay | April 13, 2010 at 10:05 AM
Love it! (Did I miss it on flickr?)
Posted by: Amy | April 13, 2010 at 11:00 AM
What a great quilt - I just love all those fabrics. It looks so happy!
Posted by: Debbie | April 13, 2010 at 12:18 PM
Great pattern which perfectly showcases those wonderful fabrics. Lucky Owen!
Posted by: KathieB | April 13, 2010 at 03:13 PM
What a cute quilt and the label is adorable!
Posted by: Vicki W | April 13, 2010 at 03:26 PM
beautiful quilt Auntie Jan! glad you put your name on it!!!
Posted by: Lazy Gal Tonya R | April 13, 2010 at 03:52 PM
Jan, the pin dots with the little prints is perfect.... I have some of that hedgehog fabric, I have been trying to figure out how to use it. That's great inspiration!
ps... yep! finally got my blog up and going, a slow start, but it's fun. hope you come and visit some time!
Posted by: Pam Cope | April 13, 2010 at 06:17 PM
Its beautiful... I have no other words... The idea of the ball label is fab...
Posted by: Shruti | April 14, 2010 at 05:43 AM
Adorable quilt. That's a great pattern for those novelties. Very clever idea with the label. I'm sure it will be cherished forever
Posted by: tami | April 14, 2010 at 06:44 AM
what a lively little baby quilt - wonderful!
Posted by: barb | April 14, 2010 at 08:50 AM
That is sweet, love the beachball the most.
Posted by: Jen | April 14, 2010 at 12:50 PM
Delightful quilt. I'm sure your niece will be thrilled. For some reason I haven't been getting your updates - and I can see that you've been very busy - so I have some eye candy in store!
Posted by: Deb King | April 15, 2010 at 03:56 AM
I love this quilt and the tag you made is amazing!! Great job!
Posted by: beth | April 17, 2010 at 03:25 PM