Evelyn's quilt
January 10, 2012
I just realized there was some unfinished business around here, namely that I never told you all about the one handmade Christmas gift this year. I think I mentioned it was a quilt, right? I made this one for my niece, Evelyn. She was born last May, ending the nephews-only run that we had been enjoying for the past 10 years. While I have enjoyed making many, many things for the little fellows, I was secretly (or may be not so secretly) thrilled to have another, littler girl to sew for.
The quilt is made entirely of half square triangles. I used the better part of 2 charm packs for the prints and a solid white from Moda for the, um, white. I chain pieced it using this method described on the Purl Bee and then set about piecing. Jane helped me with pattern placement - she's got a very good eye for color and balance. I completely eye-balled the size - just went with something that looked proportionate and a little bigger than crib size. It's backed in a pink solid and trimmed in a small aqua print. The quilting is straight lines 1/2" on each side of the diagonal seams (Does that make sense? I think it does, but let me know if you don't get it).
My very favorite part? I free-motion quilted my niece's name in the bottom corner. It's super subtle, almost invisible. And pretty dang sweet, if I say so myself.
Ok. Unfinished business now finished. Back to whatever it was you were doing.
Wow! What an amazing gift. You do the best quilts Erin.
Posted by: charlotte | January 10, 2012 at 07:09 PM
Beautiful...and I happen to have some of those very charms laying around! Thanks for giving me an idea of what I could do with them. :)
Posted by: Annalia | January 10, 2012 at 07:10 PM
Oh, Erin. What an amazing gift! It's beautiful. xx
Posted by: betsy | January 10, 2012 at 07:19 PM
love.
Posted by: emily | January 10, 2012 at 07:26 PM
that's just beautiful! was it really tricky/hard to free-motion her name on the quilt?
Posted by: Megan | January 10, 2012 at 07:26 PM
Erin tha tis just a stunning quilt. I just love how the white pops out from the beautiful rich colors.
You are such a good auntie and I just know little Evelyn will treasure this forever!!
Posted by: seashoreknits | January 10, 2012 at 07:29 PM
What a fun quilt and not at all baby-ish which means she should love it for a long time.
Posted by: Mama Urchin | January 10, 2012 at 07:55 PM
erin, that turned out amazing!
Posted by: kirstencan | January 10, 2012 at 07:59 PM
Oh, Erin, it's amazing and so beautiful! Congratulations on the niece, I love her name, and the quilted name is so perfect. Love!
Posted by: Grace | January 10, 2012 at 08:44 PM
It's divine! I've really got to try some half square triangles again some time - they are so versatile!
Posted by: beth lehman | January 10, 2012 at 08:48 PM
sigh, it's beautiful!
Posted by: jane | January 10, 2012 at 08:53 PM
Love it! Your niece is one lucky little lady to have such a creative aunt!
Posted by: Debi | January 10, 2012 at 09:07 PM
what a lucky, lucky girl!! well done.
Posted by: Carol | January 10, 2012 at 11:03 PM
I LOVE it! The color balance and combination is really fabulous. Way to go Jane! I'm very much in love with the free motion quilting of her name. I'm afraid I might have to make up reasons to do this on future gifts. Very inspiring, as usual.
Posted by: Erin | January 11, 2012 at 12:18 AM
Oh wow, it's GORGEOUS. Love that design and the colors.
Posted by: kristin | January 11, 2012 at 12:32 AM
Dude. That is all I have to say.
Posted by: Sarah Jackson | January 11, 2012 at 12:33 AM
Awesome--especially the signature!
Posted by: Suzanne | January 11, 2012 at 08:40 AM
lovely!
Posted by: carolyn | January 11, 2012 at 10:02 AM
i LOVE the name stitched in. very clever.
Posted by: ivey @durangomom.com | January 11, 2012 at 10:44 AM
Awesome!
Posted by: Kathy | January 11, 2012 at 12:41 PM
as if i didn't have enough temptation to start another quilt today. this one may send me over the edge. LOVE it!!
Posted by: amandajean | January 11, 2012 at 02:26 PM
Beautiful work Erin. It looks even better in person! It only took me about 5 minutes of looking before I saw her name there. The subtlety of it is awesome. I'm pretty sure she'll be cherishing it for a long time.
Posted by: Ryan | January 12, 2012 at 08:39 AM
This is just gorgeous! The colors are just wonderful and your quilting is so perfect!
Posted by: Jan | January 12, 2012 at 10:52 AM
That's lovely!
Posted by: Wendi | January 13, 2012 at 09:56 AM
I love, love, love this quilt! The color, swoon! The design, aaaah! Marvelous! Is there a pattern for this somewhere?
Posted by: Laura Zarrin | January 13, 2012 at 09:58 PM
Beautiful. I've been dreaming of blocks paired with a bunch of white...I love this.
Posted by: Stacy | January 13, 2012 at 10:26 PM
Thanks, Laura! There is no pattern - it is just a bunch of half square triangles laid out in diamonds. It's very easy to do.
Posted by: Erin | house on hill road | January 14, 2012 at 07:05 AM
Beautiful and sweet at the same time. I love this!
Posted by: Andi | January 14, 2012 at 09:44 PM
Please please PLEASE show me how you did that free motion, its beautifully done! I love half square triangles, you and Jane are excellent collaborators.
Posted by: Account Deleted | January 15, 2012 at 07:46 PM
drop the feed dogs and make some practice sandwiches! you can totally do it, blair. Two layers of acrylic felt is great for practicing too.
Posted by: Erin | house on hill road | January 16, 2012 at 06:36 AM
I never tire of a half-square triangle. Love the name fmq in. Perfect touch.
Posted by: sewkatiedid | January 17, 2012 at 12:11 AM
oh, erin.
i want to make quilts like you.
this is spectacular!
Posted by: leslie | January 18, 2012 at 05:11 PM
wowee, it's the perfect quilt. It's so appealing in every way! love the subtle name embroidery.
Posted by: Larissa | January 24, 2012 at 07:56 PM
That quilt is amazing! And I love how you quilted her name into it!
Posted by: Chase l Oh The Cuteness! | January 28, 2012 at 05:49 PM
Oh, this is gorgeous! I love the subtle embroidery!
Posted by: yarnydays | January 30, 2012 at 12:53 PM
I am totally going to use your twist pin idea on my son's bed~ thanks for the tip! Lovely quilt... and the name just makes it more personal and special.
Posted by: ~Kelly~ | February 01, 2012 at 09:38 PM
I love, love this quilt! Stitching baby's name is one of the sweetest details I've ever seen.
Posted by: Meg | February 04, 2012 at 09:38 PM
This one is beautiful too! Lucky little girls.
Posted by: Julie | January 15, 2017 at 12:56 PM