Liz's quilt
August 13, 2009
Our babysitter, Liz, has been watching the girls since she was in 7th grade. She has been my number one, go-to sitter for six years and she is leaving for college next week. I get a little teary thinking about it - I actually did cry at her graduation party. The four of us are going to miss her, but she is headed off on to her newest adventure and we couldn't be happier for her.
I finished Liz's quilt on Tuesday night and washed it yesterday. I am really happy with how it turned out - in fact, it may be among my favorites. Blue is Liz's favorite color and I wanted it to play a strong role in her quilt. I also wanted the design to be something simple and fresh, young and vibrant just like the girl who is receiving it. I started with a few sets of Anna Maria Horner's Garden Party fat quarters. I cut 30 separate fat quarters in to rectangles measuring 13" x 15.5" (my fabric was pre-washed). I arranged them in a grid and sewed them together. This took me a few hours on a Saturday afternoon in late May.
For the back, I used two pieces of a turquoise solid that I joined using a patchwork strip. The patchwork rectangles were from the scraps of the original fat quarters. The back still wasn't long enough so I added another strip. I told you all what happened with the batting. Once I had a piece that was big enough, it was time for the quilting.
For the quilting, I chose a blue thread that is slightly darker than the aqua that is on the back. I'd call it a French blue. It took me a very long time to decide how to quilt this. I contemplated many different options until I settled on the wavy horizontal lines. I used my walking foot and started sewing the lines free motion - well, as free motion as you can with a walking foot. They were very fun to sew and I love how they look. For the binding I chose a yellow polka dot (not sure who makes it, sorry) because I really thought the quilt needed a good pop of color. I think it works well.
After washing and drying, the quilt measures 60" x 88". Now it's time for us to wrap this quilt up and deliver it to Liz. And then we have to say good-bye. Pass the tissues. I'm going to need them.
ABsolutely gorgeous quilt! :)
Posted by: Anna | August 13, 2009 at 08:13 AM
You did an amazing job. It looks wonderful and the perfect gift for someone going to college...I bet she will love it.
Posted by: Jane Weston | August 13, 2009 at 08:17 AM
oh, erin. she is going to LOVE it.
she will be tucked in by your hands and the memories of your girls every night!
what a WONDERFUL gift.... it is gorgeous!!!!
Posted by: leslie | August 13, 2009 at 08:20 AM
So beautiful!!! Awesome colors and I love what you did with the strips in the back. The wavy lines were the perfect choice for the quilting. Yes, get the tissues!!
Posted by: Mary Beth | August 13, 2009 at 08:23 AM
Those fabrics are really fantastic. What a great gift.
Posted by: Dallas | August 13, 2009 at 08:32 AM
So beautiful! I wish I had been the babysitter. You may have just finished the perfect girly quilt.
Posted by: Jane Dentinger | August 13, 2009 at 08:35 AM
What a special gift. It looks great Erin and different from your style, which is so good sometimes. I've been thinking about wavy line quilting too.
Posted by: Mama Urchin | August 13, 2009 at 08:41 AM
Love, Love that Quilt. Very Beautiful. And you picked the perfect fabrics for it to look very vibrant and young- but also very rich. I'm sure she will cherish that quilt for a very long time.
Posted by: Melissa | August 13, 2009 at 08:45 AM
Love the quilt - another successful project for you
Posted by: carol | August 13, 2009 at 08:50 AM
This is beautiful! I'm sure your babysitter will love this, she's a lucky girl.
I love the turquoise/french blue, so summery.
Posted by: Mary-- The Yellow Door Paperie | August 13, 2009 at 08:50 AM
I love the little fingers peeping out at the top. So sweet!
Posted by: Imperatrix | August 13, 2009 at 08:54 AM
wowee! what a beautiful gift. she'll enjoy that for years! love the colors you chose. I'm working up the courage to do my first quilt. someday. hopefully soon.
Posted by: larissa | August 13, 2009 at 09:01 AM
That is beautiful, stunning seriously. I'm so inspired.
She will just love it. Sorry you are losing your beloved babysitter. It's funny how people come and go in our lives, all touching us deep in the heart even if they have to leave.
Posted by: Kelly | August 13, 2009 at 09:07 AM
It looks so great, Erin. She's going to love it!
Posted by: Tracy | August 13, 2009 at 09:09 AM
That is such a pretty quilt!! I love all the colors! I am sure it will be a well loved gift.
Posted by: Stephanie B | August 13, 2009 at 09:09 AM
Wow, it's gorgeous! Love the wonky horizontal lines quilting...I assume you start in the middle and work your way out? I love piecing, but my machine quilting is very rudimentary...would love to learn some new techniques so I am not so dependent on the ladies with the long-arms.
Posted by: Pam | August 13, 2009 at 09:09 AM
Oh Erin. That's just about all I can say! Wow.
Posted by: caroline | August 13, 2009 at 09:10 AM
Spectacular quilt!! You really do have an eye for putting fabric together. I love how you used the large prints and large blocks on the front, and the back is just so vibrant and crisp. Just lovely.
Posted by: Laura, Lulabellesview | August 13, 2009 at 09:10 AM
This quilt is awesome! I'm finishing my second quilt and I have a question. My quilting teacher taught me to hand sew the binding, which is quite tedious. You seemed to finish this one quickly. Do you wrap the binding and hand sew, or do you have another method that's faster? Your binding looks perfect.
Best,
Indiana Lori
Posted by: Indiana Lori | August 13, 2009 at 09:16 AM
It's a treasure which she will keep for Life!
You're very talented!!!!
Char
Posted by: Charlotta | August 13, 2009 at 09:19 AM
That is so awesome. Congrats to Liz!
Posted by: Bobbi | August 13, 2009 at 09:21 AM
That is a wonderful gift. Beautiful.
Posted by: Kathy | August 13, 2009 at 09:25 AM
Awesome! I absolutely love it and am very jealous of the recipient.
Posted by: Jenny Craver | August 13, 2009 at 09:25 AM
erin, it's gorgeous! So vibrant, the colors are amazing. And the yellow polka dot binding is perfect. What a lovely gift!!
Posted by: julie | August 13, 2009 at 09:26 AM
Funny...I frequent blogs lots and read familiar ones everyday but this morning I thought...hmm, lets have a peak to see what House on the Hill is all ABOUT...loved reading your ABOUT page...great insight to whom you are...we have 2 girls too and I know how finding time to craft and paint and blog aswell as all the other tasks we try to fit in everyday can be trying...but we manage somehow!
Have a wonderful day!
Char
Posted by: Charlotta | August 13, 2009 at 09:28 AM
It is a stunner, Erin. And I am always so touched by the relationships of long-time babysitters with their kids. I went to a high-school graduation party at the beginning of summer and her baby-sitter drove in for the party.
Posted by: rachel | buttons magee | August 13, 2009 at 09:30 AM
Sorry...House on Hill Road...I was supposed to right!
I'll stop babbling now:-)
Posted by: Charlotta | August 13, 2009 at 09:30 AM
It's gorgeous! All your choices were just perfect, Erin - patchwork fabric, the quilting lines, the binding color and pattern, and my favorite shade of turquoise on the back. Liz is going to love it.
Posted by: Jennie | August 13, 2009 at 09:31 AM
This is so beautiful....she is one special girl to get this treasure. I love the photo of the girls holding up the quilt, only their fingers showing....
Thanks for sharing!!
Posted by: Jamie | August 13, 2009 at 09:37 AM
Wow - what a beautiful quilt to brighten a college room and also for her to remember all of you!
Posted by: Elaine | August 13, 2009 at 09:38 AM
Very nice gift!!!!!
Posted by: Valeria | August 13, 2009 at 09:40 AM
Just gorgeous!!! Blue is also my favorite color and I love This line of fabrics by Anna Maria Horner. I may need to make one of these for myself.
Posted by: Stephanie | August 13, 2009 at 09:42 AM
Lovely. I think the middle patchwork strip on the back is my favorite part.
Posted by: melissa | August 13, 2009 at 09:43 AM
What a terrific going away present - I am sure she will love it and miss you about as much as you will miss her. All the best.
Posted by: Heather | August 13, 2009 at 09:49 AM
What a spectacular quilt and a wonderful gift! She'll have it forever. So sweet.
Also very sweet are those little fingers peeking out from the quilt holding it up ;) Love it!
Posted by: SpiderWomanKnits | August 13, 2009 at 09:57 AM
this is sure to be a gift she will treasure always.
each and every time she uses it she will think of you and your family. and maybe one day, she'll make a quilt for someone special in her life. what a wonderful story.
Posted by: kristyn | August 13, 2009 at 10:00 AM
That is great!
Posted by: Myra | August 13, 2009 at 10:01 AM
Love it!!!
Posted by: HobbyMommy | August 13, 2009 at 10:01 AM
Oh wow, it's just so colourful, vivid and beautiful. She will love it, and it sounds like she is so deserving of this quilt! Thank you for doing a quilt in such bright colours...I love them so much together yet have gotten kind of 'lost' in the bright with white (borders, sashing, etc) trend. this is stunning!
Posted by: Andrea | August 13, 2009 at 10:08 AM
She is going to LOVE it!!! Its BEAUTIFUL...Goodbyes are always hard but it will be just as difficult for her...she will always be a big part of your life :)
Posted by: Renee' | August 13, 2009 at 10:12 AM
It's so beautiful - just right for a dorm room. When Lindsay was looking for a duvet cover she kept rejecting everything that was based in white, because it would get so dingy. So excellent choice on the colors. I love it.
Posted by: Sarah Jackson | August 13, 2009 at 10:24 AM
Oh, it's wonderful, Erin! I love the wavy line quilting. I think I'll try that next time, if I ever get beyond another quilt top.
Posted by: beki | August 13, 2009 at 10:24 AM
Beautiful. Love these quilts with the big squares that are popping up. A trend I'll definitely get on board with :)
Posted by: Fiona | August 13, 2009 at 10:25 AM
What a beautiful quilt and wonderful gift. It will be beautiful in her dorm room and a wonderful reminder of home and good friends. Thanks for showing us. I love the colors together and the binding really does pop.
Posted by: Fun Mama - Deanna | August 13, 2009 at 10:26 AM
gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous! my fave is the binding. i'm a sucker for dots.
Posted by: kirsten | August 13, 2009 at 10:26 AM
LOVE this quilt! Such a fan of Anna's fabric, it's wonderful to see it all together like this.
Posted by: Sarah | August 13, 2009 at 10:27 AM
Lovely quilt.
I like the simplicity in the pattern, and the beautiful colors
Posted by: Isa | August 13, 2009 at 10:28 AM
BEAUTIFUL!!!! what other word can I use???
I love those fabrics, and the simple idea of just squares works quite well!!!
I love the back too!!!
Liz will have quite a memento to have from you!!!
Work well done............ !!!
Posted by: Potiron | August 13, 2009 at 10:31 AM
That is just gorgeous! Perfect choice of binding.
Posted by: Kristin | August 13, 2009 at 10:32 AM
I love it - so simple in terms of piecing, yet so striking - not every quilt that size needs 2000 small pieces, eh?
Posted by: Christine | August 13, 2009 at 10:33 AM