Monday, October 28, 2013

"Out to Sea" Beach Quilt

Does anyone else have intense love/hate relationships with their quilts?

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I sat on my hands for so long with this fabric, not knowing what to do with it.  I thought I'd pull off something like this, but then the asymmetry was just killing me.  So I scrapped my plan and came up with the above pattern.  I loved it as I was designing it, then I hated it all while making it.  The turning point came when Anne quilted it for me, and now my love grows stronger every day. (Sigh...)

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I had to work with the dimensions of these ships (above), as well as these maps (below).


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Then I added borders of three- and six-inch patchwork blocks.


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Anne did some great quilting for me: waves with loop-do-loops in between...


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...  I added a Kona solid blue binding to match this great chevron that I got from the Fat Quarter Shop...


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... and we're done!  Finally!  Charlotte is THRILLED, to say the least.  I was hoping to have a beach photo shoot for our "beach" quilt, but alas, we didn't make it there this summer.  We hope to get there next summer, but in the meantime, this quilt is fast becoming a favorite as my kids' newest picnic blanket.  Who needs a beach, anyhow?!

P.S. Measuring 66 x 84 inches, I thought this quilt would be big enough for our family of six to use at the beach.  The kids keep doing this crazy  thing called "growing," though, so now that we've test-tried the quilt, I'm not so sure it's big enough!  Fortunately, Sarah Jane is about to release her latest fabric line; I guess I'll just have to make another quilt!  Stay tuned...


(Linking up with Quilt Story, Confessions of a Fabric Addict, and Crazy Mom Quilts.)
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10 comments:

  1. Sewing MomOctober 29, 2013 at 3:58 PM

    It's lovely and your quilting is great too...that last photo says it all...a quilt that is loved!

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    1. Lauren DeelNovember 2, 2013 at 9:10 PM

      Thanks so much! Yes, the quilt is so well-loved that it was stained with its first use! Oh no! I try to tell myself, "Quilts are meant to be used and loved." :)

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  2. kimOctober 31, 2013 at 5:21 PM

    I think you did a great job with your quilt. I love the map print! I'm glad you persevered with this project, it really was worth it :)

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    1. Lauren DeelNovember 2, 2013 at 9:10 PM

      Thanks for such sweet feedback, Kim. I'm glad you like it!

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  3. a maidenhair fernNovember 1, 2013 at 6:51 PM

    What a great quilt, with a beautiful line of fabric. I too am a care taker, and use quilting as my "therapy". Good luck and congrats on a beautiful finish.

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    1. Lauren DeelNovember 2, 2013 at 9:17 PM

      Thank you so much, and good luck to you in your caregiving role, also.

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  4. Kelly @ My Quilt InfatuationNovember 1, 2013 at 6:56 PM

    beautiful quilt, and perfect for the beach! Yes, I have definitely had love/hate relationships with my quilts before. Fortunately, once they're all finished, I usually love them permanently!

    Thank you so much for sharing at Needle and Thread Thursday!

    :) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation

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    1. Lauren DeelNovember 2, 2013 at 9:11 PM

      Yes! I love them once they're finished, too, and usually more and more as time goes by. :)

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  5. SaraNovember 3, 2013 at 12:56 PM

    Charlotte is looking as beautiful as ever! What a perfect family quilt for ya'll!

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