Looking back and stepping gently in to the new year
Cutting Room

Mary Graceland: A quilt

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At the beginning of December, having decided not to go through with my book, I found myself freed up from commitments and decided to make a few Christmas gifts. I don't know about you, but I find that as I get older, it is very hard to come up with gifts for my parents that they want let alone something that they need. I can almost always find something for my mom, Mary Grace, but this year I didn't have anything that I was excited about giving her. So, as these things happen, she moved to the top of my handmade gift list and I knew that only one thing would do: a quilt.

While I had some time, I didn't have a ton of time so I knew that it would have to be a fairly fast sew. I also wanted this quilt to live at my parents' house in Telluride, where we spent Christmas and where we have so many great family memories. I landed on the Proverbial Quilt by Denyse Schmidt, spelling out the nickname one of the carpenters gave the house when it was being built years ago, Mary Graceland.

I wanted the quilt to be classic and simple so I limited myself to just three fabrics: one for the background, one for the letters (and backing) and one for the binding. I bought all three at Purl Soho when Fatty and I were in New York. The background fabric is a Robert Kaufman chambray and the letters were pieced with Liberty of London John in Navy. The binding is also Liberty - Agandca in Navy.

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The back, shown here horizontally, was pieced out of necessity. Otherwise known as bad math on my part. That said, I love how it came together. I improvisationally pieced the 2014  (thank you, Denyse, for showing me how to do that!) and made the rest of it work, using almost every little bit of Liberty and chambray I had. I imagined it would be used to cuddle up on the couch with and it ended up being a good throw size - about 57" wide by 70" long.

I used a cotton batting that I had on hand (I think Warm and Natural) and quilted it with free motion loops in navy thread. I don't think I will ever tire of this style of quilting. It has interest and movement without being too busy for such a simple design. I did wash and dry this quilt before giving it to my mom. The chambray and Liberty combination is a winner: it is super soft with lovely drape and a good amount of crinkle. Cozy!

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Comments

Teri

Beautiful as always Erin

Michele(Maryland)

Love it, Erin!

Sarah

beautiful! i always think a quilt is such a meaningful gift. you hit it with this one!

Emily

That is so pretty and what a great combination of fabrics!!

Jenny

that is just lovely...so snuggly im sure.

Suzanne

The style of your quilts is what keeps me coming back. What an awesome gift!

Barbara OC

Beautiful quilt, Erin. Just knowing how soft and cozy it must be, makes it even better! Mmmmm

Blair

I love it Erin! What a beautiful gift!

leslie

i just love it. and the story about the name of the house! please tell miss mary grace that i now allow the children to say "crap" freely. :) xx

Darcy

Coming up with Christmas gifts that re meaningful has become the bane of my holidays - you nailed it with this one. Hope she loved it!

Julie

lucky mom! talented daughter! That is so beautiful AND functional! Love the sentiment behind the words.

emily

wait! i want to know what your mom's reaction was!!!

Mary Grace Burke

The quilt is beyond beautiful! It is one of my favorite presents for Christmas! I am a lucky woman to have such a talented and generous daughter. I love her and I love my new quilt! It looks great in our family room......perfectly made for our mountain home. I love the fact that I think of her every time I see it. Thank you, Erin for such a thoughtful gift. I will always treasure it and of course, you, my beautiful talented daughter. Thank you, Love you, Mom

JCasa

Oooh, I love it! And how sweet to read your Mom's lovely comments above. So clever are you to give a gift to the house :)

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