Hi everyone! How are things at your house these days? Have you been venturing out? Here in Maryland, we've done a decent job of keeping the virus in check, and our numbers are pretty good, so I've felt safe enough to go to a couple of places this week. Don't worry, I always have a mask and hand sanitizer, and I have a semi secret stash of Clorox wipes in my car, too. But I went to a farmer's market, and I had lunch-- in person!-- with a good friend. It meant so much to me to see her that I may have dropped a few tears as I was driving away. I have really missed seeing actual humans that are not on a screen.
After lunch, I came home and confronted a problem I've been having: the quilt I'm supposed to be making for my nephew. A long time ago, I started a quilt for him, using a free pattern from Kevin the Quilter. The ones that I've seen online turned out great, so I had high hopes. Alas, it was not to be! Sorry, Kevin, but I just couldn't face one more 4-patch. Time to turn to a different pattern altogether:
Yes, I grabbed all the pieces of orange and gray (his choice!) that I hadn't cut into 4-patches yet, and used them to make Elvira, which was a quarantine quilt along pattern by Gudrun Erla. If you look closely, you can see that I also used up some of the 4-patches that weren't stitched together yet. Hey, you gotta do what you gotta do to get rid of all that ornage.
Because I was determined to use those 4-patches, I had to adjust the widths of the strips, which turned out okay because my nephew is a very large man and needs a very large quilt. He's going to get his wish, because this quilt top is about 64 by 84. This will make a nice lap quilt for him, don't you think?
I call this quilt "Big Orange" because, really, what else could you call it? If you have very sharp eyes, you will notice what I did when I ran out of big enough orange pieces to finish making the B blocks from the pattern, but just looking at it, I can't really tell that there is any issue. I don't think my nephew will notice, do you?
I've ordered some batting, and will baste this quilt as soon as that gets here. I've got a wide back gray polka dot for the backing, and I'm really hoping it doesn't give me any trouble. This is a bigger top than I'm usually comfortable with doing on my own, but I've got a plan, and I think if I baste it well enough it will work out okay. I'm not sure I have orange thread to quilt it with, though, so I should definitely check on that!
I only have these three pictures of the quilt top because it's so big that I can't get a picture of the whole thing. I've really got to get some landscape areas where I can hang big quilts. As it is, I'll have to have my nephew hold it up when it's finished. I do have one more orange-ish picture, though:
Aren't those flowers pretty? I do really love flowers, but i'm still learning about what will grow here. This is a daylily that kind of showed up here by surprise, and I like it! I think it can stay, but it might have to move to a slightly different spot this fall. For now, though, it's pretty cheerful where it is.
Hope you all have a happy Independence Day in these strange, party-free times, and keep on being careful and staying healthy. Potato salad is quite tasty on your own porch, too!
Sharing at Confessions of a Fabric Addict, Finished or Not Friday, Brag About Your Beauties, and Quilt Patchwork Applique.
20 comments:
Lovely, I love the addition of the four patches, it adds great interest, bright and cheerful. Just what’s needed at this time. It’s so lovely to get out after being at home for a while, we are just starting to come out of lockdown in the UK, although a bit fast for my liking. I’m going out for food shopping and have finally been able to visit our elderly parents, but my fabric shopping will be internet only just yet. This is me making a big effort, after being very withdrawn, I empathise with you.
Great version of "Elvira"
You had me at 'the big orange quilt'.
Oh, I love all that orange, and the design is great. I have left over 4-patches from my Kevin quilt, since I stopped at the first border (or something). I'll keep this idea in mind for those leftovers! Great way to rethink a quilt, Mari!
I'm hope you get your batting order mine seems to be lost somewhere and I have contacted the company to place my complaint and have not heard from them - will need to follow up with a phone call but I have heard if you do that you are put on hold forever or get dropped - second order I have had problems with from them. Glad you go to see your friend in person I hope it helped you - I thought you have sounded a little down lately
I also ventured out for lunch with a friend. I picked up take-out and we visited in the shade in her yard properly distanced. She is a breast cancer survivor who is still quite frail and she hasn't gone anywhere but one medical appt. The day lilies are delightful, but I should warn you, the deer love to eat the buds right before they open, so be careful where you relocate them.
Pat
We also finally had a backyard takeout dinner with close friends. So good! I have many Kevin blocks in various stages that I don't think will end up in his SSSS. Collecting other ideas for these.
I'm so glad you figured out a way to make that big orange quilt for your nephew! The Elvira pattern is really a neat one, and incorporating the already made 4 patches was a great idea, too. He's going to love it, Mari!
Since your nephew loves orange, he's going to love this quilt! A BIG orange quilt for a BIG guy...he's gonna have BIG love for it :)
Hooray for Big Orange - I think it is marvelous with those four patches worked in. Good luck with the basting and quilting.
Love, love, LOVE your SSSSQ solution, Mari. Big Orange is awesome!! I have that same lily by my mailbox. It's one of my favorites!
The orange quilt is great. He will love it.
Love how you used those 4 patches and adapted the pattern. Great job! It gives me some ideas for a quilt. Thanks for sharing.
Big Orange is full of happiness and joy. Love the simple and bold pattern. Do you really need orange thread to quilt it? I'd use ivory or sand.
No tears were shed when we met :-) Food, fabric and fun galore :-D I am sorry that you had no quilt models or holder-uppers. Next time we can coordinate this too :-)
Your orange and grey make a great combination. Love that you used the four patches, it adds a nice texture to the overall pattern. Enjoy the quilting. Sounds like you have a great plan.
Hey Mari, I really like this one. I think orange and gray look great together. It is bold and bright. Good luck quilting this beast!!
Glad you got BIG ORANGE top done! That one would have me cringing... I am definitely NOT an orange person. Love that lily, mine are all ORANGE! Yours shows to be more on the PINK side which is nice.
it looks great!! Orange is such a happy color!
I don't know what your nephew is supposed to notice, so I'm going with no. I love those gray sections and the four-patches on Big Orange.
Love your version of this quilt! The 4 patches add interest and it is a very happy looking quilt!
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