The most popular post in my 10 years of blogging was about the restoration of my young niece's Blankie in 2007. Though comments have been closed on it for some time, I still get email about it! Eight years later, Rachel is preparing to head to college this fall, so I decided to make her a quilt for her graduation.
If you recall, in December I wrote a review of Sujata Shah's fabulous book, Cultural Fusion Quilts. I was really excited about the concepts in the book and wanted to revisit them ~ this quilt was the perfect opportunity. I chose the zig-zag design for both its ease of construction and its graphic possibilities and then started pulling large, bright prints from the stash.
If you're familiar with Sujata's block, you may have noticed I changed it to a nine-patch from its original sixteen-patch formation. This was because of my desired finished quilt size, 60"x72", which would neatly use 5x6 12" squares. If I used the original sixteen-patch block, the graphic prints I was using would have been chopped down too small for my preference. This choice, however, was a bit time consuming because while Sujata's blocks can be set side-by-side to get the zig-zag effect, I needed two different block sets to achieve the same graphic result.
It's been a long time since I made a utility quilt this size and I loved every minute of working on this one! The blocks went together quickly and I pin-basted for the first time ~ it's official, I'm a dinosaur! ~ before machine quilting it.
First, I stitched in the ditch around the block edges, vertically and then horizontally.
Then, I stitched a line through each light value zig-zag course, diagonally. My plan was to stop here as the three layers were more than sufficiently secured, but I thought it would look nicer with the dark zig-zags stitched as well and I was right. Because of the slightly wonky nature of the design, no marking was necessary ~ it was very enjoyable to see this coming together!
I chose this wonderful purple Tula Pink stripe for the binding. You may not have noticed, but one of my design decisions was to avoid any white or very light unpatterned colors. I'm not such a dinosaur that I don't remember college days and I wanted this quilt to be used with abandon ~ comfortable on a floor, around food, etc without worrying about occasional stains.
I loved this quilt so much that it was a little difficult to part with ~ wouldn't it look great on my computer room couch? Of course, I couldn't wait to gift it to Rachel and she seemed pretty excited when she opened it graduation weekend.
This is my favorite shot of the weekend. After she opened her gifts, I commented that the first graduation quilt I ever made was for my brother, her Dad. My nephew jumped up, exclaiming, 'We still have it, Aunt Jan!" He dashed off and came back with it, looking not unlike Rachel's original Blankie ~ patchwork side recovered, new binding attached, only the backing original. Thirty-two years later, well-used, the comfy cover to grab when watching tv down in the family room. That's why we make quilts, right?
Your quilt is wonderful! What a fabulous graduation gift! I LOVE the story of the graduation gift for your brother :0)
Posted by: janet | June 22, 2015 at 01:06 PM
What a great quilt, right down to the striped binding. Such movement and energy in the prints and the setting. Perfect for college. I have the book and am working on a project too - I love that free piecing.
Posted by: Cynthia | June 22, 2015 at 01:07 PM
Love this quilt so much, and it looks like your niece was really pleased with it. Really enjoyed the story of your brother's quilt - they are made to be used and loved. I was so pleased that my daughters and their friends wore out so many of my early quilts - one was nicknamed "Mr. Red," and was literally a pile of rags at the end. Those were the days of the "Quilts in a Day" so it didn't take long to make them.
Posted by: Dixie | June 22, 2015 at 01:32 PM
I just love everything you make! Very nice graduation present/gift! So beautiful? Love all the fabrics in it!
Posted by: Lina | June 22, 2015 at 02:39 PM
Oh my … disregard my "?" . . .
Posted by: Lina | June 22, 2015 at 02:42 PM
This quilt is like a fabric celebration, such happy fun fabrics. I love the photo of it being used and the story of the 32 year old quilt is golden!
Posted by: Rachaeldaisy | June 22, 2015 at 05:49 PM
What love!
It's gorgeous, of course - but how nice to see how much your hard work is appreciated.
Posted by: blackbird | June 22, 2015 at 07:31 PM
That is gorgeous! I love how colorful it is and the quilting is perfect for the style and fabrics. I agree that we make quilts to be used and loved.
Posted by: Carole | June 22, 2015 at 07:34 PM
Jan, I love them on the couch wrapped up in your quilts! The quilt is as fresh as a summer garden. Thank you for sharing the process. The nine patch block worked out great for the size you needed.
Posted by: Sujata Shah | June 22, 2015 at 10:31 PM
Wow Jan. What a great story and a GREAT quilt! You're a dream of an Aunt -- I'll bet Rachael was thrilled! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the quilt. It's much more complicated than I thought -- as proven by how long it's been since your last post -- holy cow -- I thought it had only been about a month. The wonders of Instagram I guess LOL.
Now. Your Loyal Readers MUST demand a baby post!!!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | June 22, 2015 at 11:26 PM
Fun story, and a perfect hang-out/be-cozy-at-college quilt. I must get Sujata's book!
Posted by: Linda K | June 23, 2015 at 12:35 AM
Totally why we make quilts. I gave my god daughter a quilt when she was 4. She is now 22 and that well worn quilt goes everywhere with her
Posted by: Brenda | June 23, 2015 at 05:00 AM
What a fabulous graduation quilt and wonderful story! Isn't it lovely when family really appreciates what we do?
what a heartwarming photo.
The binding is perfect on this fun quilt!
Posted by: barbara vedder | June 23, 2015 at 06:27 AM
Wonderful!! I loved both posts. I still sleep with my 45 yr old blankie every night. Sadly, it's definitely showing it's age and well-loved-ness, but I will keep it until it's a scrap. Thank you for sharing your family!
Posted by: Cara | June 23, 2015 at 07:43 AM
Absolutely love when they are well used.:) What a fabulous gift!
Posted by: audrey | June 24, 2015 at 03:17 AM
beautiful!
Posted by: Tonya Ricucci | June 24, 2015 at 04:55 PM
Great quilt, Jan. Another winner!! You really have the gift. Just one question. Machine quilted? You must have had time constraints.
Posted by: Phyllis | July 03, 2015 at 11:26 AM
Such a great story! It must make you so happy to know your quilt was used and loved for so many years!
Posted by: Diane Harris | July 16, 2015 at 12:00 PM
That is a beautiful, beautiful quilt!
Posted by: Violet | October 29, 2015 at 07:22 PM