Tutorial Time!
July 30, 2008
The sweet ladies over at Sew, Mama, Sew asked me if I would do a tutorial for a summer beach and picnic blanket. Of course I said yes! I was completely flattered to be asked and had so much fun coming up with a simple, but fun summer quilt.
I've added a link in the sidebar that will take you right to the tutorial. Or you can click here. And of course, while you are there, you should check out all the other wonderful tutorials and project ideas they have. Their blog is a fabulous resource for many how-to's and Sew, Mama, Sew's webstore is filled with cute fabric and patterns, too!
If you make one of these blankets using the tutorial, let me know. I would love to see yours!
Have a great day!
This is cute and useful too! Good job. I'm a procrastinator and reading your blog wants me to get my projects going! Thanks for the kick in the tush! LOL! You have a great day too!
Posted by: aNa | July 30, 2008 at 08:50 AM
Fun, fun. I was thinking of a quilt like this with some of the Heather Ross fabrics.
Posted by: Mama Urchin | July 30, 2008 at 09:09 AM
This is perfect timing as I'm just laying out my picnic quilt. I will probably follow your directions for how to put it together though mine is a bit different in size and number of squares. I really like the idea of the rock pockets. Another idea I had was to put buttons around the border and then make picnic napkins with buttonholes to foil the wind.
Posted by: Allison | July 30, 2008 at 09:11 AM
How cute is THAT!!! I love Allison's button idea. Very clever!
Posted by: caroline | July 30, 2008 at 09:22 AM
Oh! you are so good!!!!!! love it, erin.
Posted by: leslie | July 30, 2008 at 09:34 AM
Thanks Erin. This tutorial will come in handy when I attempt to make my first quilt.
Posted by: Mefuza | July 30, 2008 at 09:38 AM
it's beautiful! way to go, erin!
Posted by: amandajean | July 30, 2008 at 09:40 AM
Congratulations! I saw this over there this morning.
Posted by: Anina | July 30, 2008 at 09:48 AM
So sweet and simple! I've been wanting to make a quilt for sitting on in the backyard for quite some time now...this would be the perfect size. I love Sew, Mama, Sew...thanks for the great tutorial!
Posted by: Michele | July 30, 2008 at 09:52 AM
What timing! I was just about to start my own new beach blanket quilt! I'm planning on adding some straps to carry it onto the beach when rolled up, but I never would've thought of the rock pocket idea for holding it down! Thank you for the inspiration, as always.
Posted by: Linn | July 30, 2008 at 10:18 AM
I love it, of course! What's funny is that I already have squares cut out for one. Maybe great minds think alike. ;)
Posted by: Sarah Jackson | July 30, 2008 at 10:18 AM
Love it! Very pretty! Great tutorial!
Posted by: denitza | July 30, 2008 at 10:23 AM
i can't wait to make one. i just have to bite the bullet and buy that new sewing machine first...
Posted by: emily | July 30, 2008 at 10:32 AM
This looks so fabulous! I actually think I could make this, even though I have limited sewing skills. It's perfect! Thank you.
Posted by: The Knitting Archaeologist | July 30, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Thanks Erin for the tutorial! I'm going to attempt this today! :) I'll let you know if life goes my way and I get it done.
Posted by: Jade | July 30, 2008 at 11:11 AM
Fantastic tutorial! I need to make one of these quilts!
Posted by: sally | July 30, 2008 at 11:13 AM
What a great picnic quilt... and I love the baby items for your new nephew!
Posted by: julie | July 30, 2008 at 11:25 AM
What a great tutorial! I think with your helpful words and pictures even a novice sewer like me could make that blanket.
Posted by: tonya | July 30, 2008 at 11:28 AM
LOVE it, as usual! I can't keep up, but I'll keep trying!
Posted by: Julie | July 30, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Great blanket. I've had a picnic lanket in my head for a while now with the same idea of mixing a few bug prints with more traditional tablecloth checks. Love the idea of the rock pockets. I'll have to incorporate this into my plan! Oh, and get started.
Posted by: Jonah Lisa | July 30, 2008 at 11:37 AM
I was JUST thinking today of making a simple quilt like that!! How coincidental that you posted a tutorial like this! I guess I'll have to go check out how you did yours now...
Posted by: Margot | July 30, 2008 at 12:18 PM
WOW! This is fantastic! I'll be making one of these I'm also adding it today's edition of the Daily DIY!
Posted by: Rachel | July 30, 2008 at 12:41 PM
Beautiful quilt and I love the corner pockets. Thanks so much for doing the tutorial.
Posted by: AJ | July 30, 2008 at 01:24 PM
Love it Erin! This could be a quick and easy project to motivate me to sew!
Posted by: lucy | July 30, 2008 at 01:45 PM
I cant wait to make one!
Posted by: Melissa | July 30, 2008 at 02:55 PM
Wonderful! I'm more curious about your magical powers of time management. Didn't you just get back from vacation? again? I'm not sure how you do it, but I'm so glad you do. xoxo
Posted by: miss chris | July 30, 2008 at 03:39 PM
This is so great. Thank you SO much. I've been looking for something exactly like this. I've never quilted and although I know I'd probably have no problem with it, it's always intimidated me. So this is something that looks like it would be great to start with. And perfect for summer and fall picnics!! Thanks again! I can't wait to make it :)
Posted by: Bluebirdbaby | July 30, 2008 at 05:39 PM
Beautiful as usual!
Posted by: Annie | July 30, 2008 at 09:21 PM
Great idea- I think I may just give it a go.
Posted by: Natasha | July 30, 2008 at 11:26 PM
Oh how wonderful - thank you!
Posted by: Mary | July 31, 2008 at 01:19 AM
With your tutorial in hand, I'm going to try my hand at sewing and quilting one of these this fall. You've inspired me! Thanks! Love the rock pocket idea!
Posted by: Kristyn | July 31, 2008 at 01:53 AM
I love this idea and am saving it to my favourites! Thank you.x
Posted by: Kristy | July 31, 2008 at 05:36 AM
this is great1 i may just try it out , soon!
Posted by: nicole | July 31, 2008 at 11:42 AM
that is a very cute blanket...perfect for reading outside!
Posted by: Amy | July 31, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Love it! I might give it a try, but I've never done anything close to a quilt! I'm pretty basic when it comes to sewing!
Posted by: Wendy | July 31, 2008 at 08:52 PM
Thank you! This is so doable and looks easy, fast, and fun, plus a great way to use my fabric stash.
Posted by: cathleen | July 31, 2008 at 10:29 PM
I had to go over to the tutorial to figure out what the rock pockets are for:)
My first thought was "oh, for young boys to put their rocks in, instead of their own pockets..."
the quilt is lovely -I really like the large squares. It looks so modern this way compared to most quilts that have so many tiny pieces.
and this looks like even I could manage to make it.
xo
Posted by: martha | July 31, 2008 at 11:18 PM
That's a great picnic blanket! Simple but yet so pretty!
Posted by: tiennie | August 01, 2008 at 12:00 AM
taping the backing down is pure genius, i tell you! awesome tute!
Posted by: melissa s. | August 01, 2008 at 12:43 AM
Love the pocket for rocks - ingenious! I'll be whipping one up. Thanks for the tutorial :)K
Posted by: Kim | August 01, 2008 at 12:45 AM
I want to be you. I'm totally making one of these and will for sure add it to the flickr group.
xox
Posted by: **Morgan** | August 01, 2008 at 01:51 AM
what a great idea adding the stone pockets - not seen that before!!
I have left you a tag over at http://perfectcupcakes.blogspot.com. Looking forward to reading your answers!
Posted by: maxine | August 01, 2008 at 04:40 AM
Great blanket.
This is a great beginner for me.
Posted by: Risa | August 01, 2008 at 03:49 PM
Gorgeous blanket! That picture reminds me so much of my summers as a kid - I was often curled up with a book on a blanket in the yard.
Posted by: Lil' d | August 01, 2008 at 11:35 PM
oh what a lovely picture. I can't wait until my children just sit down like that--right now it seems like they run from morning til night. (and the blanket is pretty fantastic too)
Posted by: meg | August 03, 2008 at 02:43 PM
Super cute, Erin. ;) I actually never thought of sewing the edges with it inside out. I'll have to try that with the next little blanket.
Posted by: Tracy | August 04, 2008 at 02:52 PM
Hi, this has got to be the easiest quilt ever. Love it. Put it on my to do list wich keeps getting longer. Just wanna let you know that I'm having a giveaway if you're interested for 1st year blogoversary. Bring some friends. We'll have fun Have a nice day.
Posted by: Nathalie Brault | August 04, 2008 at 03:50 PM
Super! Thanks for the idea and tutorial. Love it.
Tanya
Posted by: Tanya | August 05, 2008 at 07:28 AM
I LOVE the colors you used! It is so pretty!
Posted by: Grace | August 05, 2008 at 11:54 AM
so nice to meet you I love your work at sew mama sew...
Posted by: Jennifer Paganellli | August 09, 2008 at 09:15 AM