Monday, December 10, 2018

Family of three

Hi everyone! Its been a little while, hasn't it? I don't mind telling you that it's been a very stressful few weeks around here.  December is huge month for our family, with birthdays, anniversaries, and Christmas and other religious events, plus all the rest of everyday life.  Oh, and the semester ends, too.  Yikes!  This year we've travelled three out of four weekends for milestone events, so now we're looking forward to spending the rest of December sitting on the sofa. (As if that's likely!)

Today I have a fun, happy finish to show off, in fun, happy colors:


I know what you're thinking-- a finish on a Monday?  Yep.  I made this as a baby gift for my daughter, and her baby shower was this weekend. (For you Catholics out there, it was on the feast of Immaculate Conception, which I found highly amusing.)  Since she sometimes looks at the blog, I had to wait to show it off until after the party.


Aren't these giraffes adorable? This is a pattern from Lorna at Sew Fresh Quilts, and you can buy the pattern HERE.  The pattern is very, very easy and  goes together pretty fast.  I'll warn you that the cutting list is pretty intimidating, but there aren't any weird shapes, just squares and rectangles.  I think it took longer to cut than to piece! Seriously, there are two keys to success with Lorna's patterns (all of which are great and use similar methods): label all your pieces, and cross off steps as you go.  I found it really helpful to mark off each row of the giraffes as I finished them, because those little bits can get confusing.


I don't often make quilts all in solids, but my daughter and son in law are pretty modern, and solids fit this pattern really well.  I didn't write down all of the colors, but all of the fabrics are Kona cottons.  The background is a beautiful color that I just love called Bahama Blue, and the giraffes were made using Macaroni and Cheese for the bodies and Pecan for the spots.  (Those would be great names for the giraffes!) The greens were scraps from the stash and so was the binding, which is a slightly darker blue.


You know I had to add a fun detail to personalize this quilt, especially because it's so unisex and not girly at all.  (Which is great, because there don't seem to be a lot of unisex things for babies any more!)  I gave the baby giraffe a tiny bow on her head, which I made just by making a "house" shaped unit from the square that belonged there.  The squares I used were a little big, but I think it turned out well.


This quilt is a generous baby size, about 40 by 53, which should take her to toddlerhood.  As you can see, I quilted it in straight-ish lines, which was in keeping with the modern look of it.  I say "ish" because I wandered a bit, even if you can't tell.  I never really got the hang of the more "organic" lines, but I think these look okay.  I had a great stroke of luck and found a flannel backing that not only had giraffes, but also a blue background! It worked out perfectly.


In a complete coincidence, without any coordination from us, the baby's other grandmother made her a beautiful crocheted baby blanket in a color which almost matched the background color of the quilt! It's not as obvious in the picture above, but in person they are definitely a set.

So that's my big Monday finish! This is a happy quilt and I was thrilled to gift it to a brand new family of three.  We can't wait until this little girl gets here!


Hope you all are having a good week so far.  I've got some exams to grade, but I should be done by the end of this week, at which time I will sleep for about three weeks.  Or not, depending on how things work out!

Sharing at Let's Bee Social, Confessions of a Fabric Addict, TGIFF, and Finished or Not Friday.

21 comments:

Farm Quilter said...

Adorable quilt!! The giraffes are fabulous and that new baby will love it!!

Frédérique - Quilting Patchwork Appliqué said...

Such a lovely quilt! I love it!

Jo said...

How gorgeous is this. The backing matches perfectly.

karenbbsnow said...

LOVE it!!! Beautiful shade of blue for the background.

Liz Horgan said...

I love it!!

piecefulwendy said...

Cute quilt, and I agree, those Kona names would be great names for giraffes! How fun that the two gifts from each mom match up. I love it when things like that happen; it's like it's just supposed to be! Enjoy your break, I think you've earned it!

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

I like that pattern and it is so cute - the crochet blanket is too

MissPat said...

What a delightful little quilt and the backing is perfect. Enjoy your downtime.
Pat

Home Sewn By Us said...

Hi Mari! What a cute finish. HOLY MOLY, that backing fabric could not BE any more perfect. Aww, you're having a baby girl too? We are too! Happy Monday to you. ~smile~ Roseanne

Louise said...

Aw, so sweet and cute! It turned out perfectly! I love the tiny bow in baby Pecan's "hair." (Do giraffes have hair??) Congrats on a lovely finish that you'll get to see wrapped around your very own grandchild :)

Bernie Kringel said...

Jeez, I love this. I appreciate the insights for the Sew Fresh Quilts patterns. I have a couple of them and the cut list startled me and I set it aside. But I really love the patterns. I will attempt one in the new year.

LOVE the bow on the little one's head - that was a sweet touch. and the backing couldn't be better. You did well Grandma Mari.

Vicki in MN said...

I am a giraffe lover so I had to come check it out! Just stinkin' cute!!! I love that you chose a little darker blue for the binding. And that backing OMG I want some, LOL

Sara said...

The baby quilt is adorable! And how exciting to be waiting for a baby girl to arrive. Is she due soon?

PaulaB quilts said...

Grandmas are the luckiest people! Love the little bow on the baby giraffe. The backing was a real gift from God.

The Joyful Quilter said...

Best of luck with the remaining bit of the semester! Thanks for sharing that darling quilt with us. It is TOO cute!!!

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

I was already planning on making 3 different giraffe baby quilts. I've already pulled the fabrics for one of them. I love Lorna's quilts.

Kelli Fannin Quilts said...

That is the cutest!!! I love it!

grammajudyb said...

I have always loved this giraffe threesome! I thought I was probably done making baby quilts, but our youngest granddaughter will be engaged by Christmas! (shhhh, it's a secret)..so I may have to make a baby quilt in the next few years. No hurry though!!! This one could be one I would do!

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

Adorbale!!

KatieQ said...

The quilt is wonderful. I love that you were able to find a backing that is so perfect. It was really clever to find a way to place a bow on the little giraffe.

Preeti said...

That fuchsia bow is the perfect touch. So precious!!! The straight-isn quilting is my default. A touch of wonky shows your love. Too straight and it is too mechanical. Gosh, please tell me about the backing. HOW did you match it so well? Most important - do you have a scrap from the backing left? Yes, I am drooling over the uber-cuteness of it. Your grand baby is going to be spoiled and rightfully so.