0
0 In For the Mamas/ Playing with Fabric

Julia’s Quilt – Joie de Vivre

Before I begin I just want to thank you all for your gorgeous responses to my last blog post. I don’t always write a lot about my personal life but for some reason that post just had to come out. I typed it out at 1.30am on a sleepless night, hit publish and then went to bed. I was worried people would think I was being petty but I am so grateful that all I received was kindness.

Now back to the pretty!

I spend a lot of time online – in fact I bloody love the internet. Any spare quiet second I have is spent on google images looking up different quilt patterns and mentally filing them away for future use. I always work from the fabric first when designing a quilt and as you know the fabric always comes first which is why in most cases I opt for ultimate simplicity.

I had been sitting on Bari J’s fabric range Joie de Vivre for a while. I ordered it as soon as it was released but then didn’t know the style of quilt I wanted to make from it. I wanted a bit of detail and some fussy cutting but still an overall random quilt. The range is spectacular and I wanted my favourite fabrics highlighted. I only had a fat quarter bundle though so creativity was somewhat limited and I knew I wanted to use every single scrap of fabric.

It was during one of my many searches that I found the perfect quilt pattern – called Olivia’s quilt it had exactly the right mix I wanted. For anyone wishing to purchase you can find it here.

The quilt consists of 3 blocks – all quick and easy to assemble. I had the squares all made in a day including cutting. And with a bit of smarts I was able to use all the fabric I had. I picked my favourites for the feature squares first and then went from there.

Once I assembled the top I realised I had forgotten to do one very basic thing and that was check the finished size. I must always remember to do a conversion. The quilt, while gorgeous was only 120cm square so too small for my standard mama thrown which I was making. Luckily I found the perfect fabric in my stash to sash it with and I loved the finished look. I definitely want to make another one which is edge to edge so am trying to work out which fabric to play with to make it again! I have another Bari J range here so that may be the winner I think!

To quilt I used simple wavy lines which is a stitch on my Janome. After quilting at 2.5″ wide I wasn’t completely happy so did another row in between each one. I am so happy – it turned out lovely and crinkly but not too stiff. Feel sorry for anyone who orders quilts from me for the next little while as I think this is my new favourite stitch! To finish I bound her in white, I wasn’t sure in the beginning but after she was out of the wash I loved it – it adds a lovely frame to it.

After a wash and dry she was ready for her photo shoot. It was perfect timing actually as I had just spent some time prettying up my lounge room to make a corner where I could take some decent throw photos. Everything came together perfectly and it is my new favourite corner now!

Then I got a wee bit creative. I always rush my photos and am frustrated with the finished product. This time I was a wee bit more deliberate and even got a bit <<cough cough>> arty.

 

Before I continue a quick mention of my beautiful vintage machine on my dresser. I pulled her out of my sister in law’s garden a few years ago and love her to bits. She is so heavy and just perfectly rusted. Pretty sure even thought I was crazy when they heard my squeals lol.

Finally a quick shot of the quilt in all her glory. Unfortunately it was blowing a gale when I went to photograph her so it had to be a quick inside shot. Still while the background isn’t fabulous I am pretty confident all eyes are on the quilt where they belong!

Now this fabric was always in mind for my gorgeous step mother Julia. I have been meaning to make her a quilt for years and this seemed the perfect range for her. I am happy to report that when she opened her Christmas present this year there were tears – the kids told me off for making her cry but at least it was from happiness lol.

Now I clearly have the mama throw bug at the moment. They are the perfect size for snuggling under on the couch and I love them. Throughout the year I will be making quilts from all the patterns I have saved and will be popping them in my etsy store. Every single mum deserves something beautiful to snuggle under forever.

Until next time

xxxSarah

 

You Might Also Like

No Comments

Leave a Reply