Simple Patchwork

Some months ago, I bought yardage to make two quilts for the twin beds up at the Downieville house. Currently those beds are just lovely, piled high with old blankets and sleeping bags. Ugh. I had been sketching and playing with different ideas for these quilts until I realized that I wanted the quilts to be finished.  Done, not sketched. Usable, not being planned.  Know what I mean?

I pulled the fabric and washed it all.

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Then I added a few more scraps from my purples and greens.

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Working swiftly, I cut piles of 10.5″ blocks.  Here is where some planning would have come in handy! The fabrics are all 42″ wide so once I squared the fabric, I was able to cut three blocks and then ended up with a nine-inch piece. I should have made the blocks an inch smaller and I would have utilized the yardage far more efficiently. I now have a stack of 9″ scraps. My plan is to make the second quilt with smaller squares or to frame those 9″ blocks and bring them up to 10.5″.  Not sure yet.

I laid them out on the spare bed and started sewing. I put very little thought into which square went where, obviously trying to not put any of the same side by side. It is seven blocks wide by 10 blocks high, so measures 70×100″. It is oversized because the beds are extra long twins and Julia said she wanted the quilts to be really big. (She must be pretty cold, sleeping downstairs!)

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The colors look a bit washed out as the sun was so bright. I took this out at our gazebo on the pond. We have this pond on the edge of our property. The water level is steadily increasing with all of the welcome rain we have had. Winter is harsh and the berm along the edge is not very green at this time of year.

IMG_20160127_4517I have a simple purple print for the backing and binding. But first, I need to wash and prepare it. My plan is to get it sandwiched, quilted and bound in the next week.  Then I will start the second one. At least one bed will look decent!

There is something to be said for a simple, get-it-done project.

Linking to Crazy Mom Quilts and Let’s Bee Social this week!

16 thoughts on “Simple Patchwork

    1. Bernie Post author

      Thanks. It is a tiny room that is basically filled with the two beds. But the quilts will definitely make it much cozier.
      We are supposed to get major rain tomorrow. Keep it coming!!

      Reply
  1. Linda

    Oh I love your fabric choices! I think it’s just beautiful. Every time I see “Downieville” I get excited. 🙂
    On Twitter and Facebook I follow several weather sources and this morning I saw 2 satellite side-by-side photos of California comparing last year to this year – the difference is astounding – this year CA is green!

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      You are so right. We are enjoying the green and damp earth. Hopefully this summer will not be riddled with fires. Tomorrow is supposed to be a really rainy day and I am looking forward to it. Time to baste this purple monster. Take care Linda.

      Reply
  2. Kristi

    Sometimes I think simple is best! When the fabrics are fantastic a basic pattern can make them shine! Love the addition of a few solids, that really makes it perky!

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Kristi, I love basic patchwork. Some of my favorite projects have been patchwork. It is so classic and really all you need to do is pick the fabrics. Thanks for coming by – haven’t heard from you for a bit. Hope all is well.

      Reply
  3. JanineMarie

    Pretty!! I love the purple and green combo. And yea for simple and fast, especially for a quilt that big!! And it will be fun to see what you end up doing with those leftover squares. Have you decided what batting you’re going to use?

    I’m glad to see your pond is filling. The gazebo setting is a lovely backdrop for the quilt top.

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      I stuck with the usual Warm and Natural batting. (I think that is all I have ever used.) Julia will still need some thick blankets on the bed but the quilt will be much prettier than the yukky ones that are down there now.

      We really like the gazebo and pond. Somehow we hardly ever go use it though. We seem to forget to take advantage of it. It is very peaceful and pretty out there.

      Reply
  4. Colleen

    Your quilt is lovely. Are you going to use cotton batting or ? I wonder if one quilt per bed will be warm enough…..I am thinking of a Three Dog Night would that equal a three quilt night?

    Anyway it will be so nice for you to have it done.
    Colleen

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Hi Colleen – The beds definitely need blankets under the quilts. It is pretty darn cold in there (though nice and cool in the summertime.) Now I need to decide how to quilt it.
      Hope all is well and that you are finding time to sew!

      Reply

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