Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Stripe Quilts

Not much sewing has been going on around here due to that crazy thing we call real life.  So... How about a flashback post? 
 
The first stripe quilt I quilted was this one.  It was pieced by my mother's friend. 
 
 
And it has minky on the back. 
 
 
I learned a lot through this experience. 
 
First, I learned to be more selective about quilts I agree to quilt for others.  Let's just say that the quilt top is not 100% cotton.  (In fact, it was a mixture of fabric types.) 
 
Second, I learned that not all minky is created equal.  The minky she purchased was very stretchy and difficult to work with. 
 
Third, I learned that I don't like quilting minky this close together. 
 
Fourth, I learned that stressing myself out and getting a migraine over someone else's quilt, is not worth the effort.  Next time after I look at someone's quilt and seeing these things, I will sweetly say that I cannot quilt it.  It is okay to say, "no."
 
 
 
The second stripe quilt I made was for my Monkey.  Here is its story...
 
When I was pregnant with Monkey, I decided to decorate his nursery with monkeys. (See this post for pictures of his nursery.) When I went looking for cute monkey fabric, I couldn't find any. The only thing available was sock monkeys, which aren't my favorite. So when I found this monkey stripe fabric when he was a year old, I quickly purchased it. 
 
This quilt is completely inspired by Christina of A Few Scraps.  She hosted an awesome Quilt Along, and gave much inspiration for the quilting process.  She has since written a book which is on my wish list. 
 
 
Because this quilt is just stripes, it went together super fast.  My husband took the boys to run errands one Saturday, and I finished it in one day.  I even pieced the backing. 
 
 
Knowing it would probably be washed a lot, I did the binding by machine.  (The colors are more accurate in this close-up.)
 
 
Monkey sure likes his quilt. 
 
 
Quilt Stats #51
Name:  Monkey's Monkey Stripe
Pattern:  Inspired by Christina's Quilt Along
Size:  about 42 x 50
Batting:  Hobbs 80/20
Date Finished: 2012
What I learned: 
  • Stripe quilts are fast and fun.
  • FMQ stripes is so much fun
  • I love quilting my boys' names on their quilts. 
 
A couple months after making Monkey's quilt, my husband's boss requested a couple of commission quilts for some of their clients.  He asked if I would be willing to make two baby girl quilts.  I actually sent Monkey's quilt to work with my husband and said that I would be happy to use the same pattern.  They loved the monkey stripe quilt, so I made these two quilts in less than one week. 
 

These two quilts are made from a couple different lines from Me and My Sister for Moda. 


I have learned a lot about photographing quilts since starting my blog, and I wish I had better pictures of these quilts.  But I figure that poor pictures are better than no pictures.  ;)

I hope you enjoyed this little trip down memory lane with me.  I see more quilts like these in my future stash busing.  They go together quickly and easily, yet they are super fun. 

I hope life calms down enough for me to do some quilting.  My next project will be another BLUE quilt, not the red string quilt I was hoping to do.  I just found out that one of my uncles is having some health challenges, and I want to make him a quilt.  I think blue is perfect for him.  ;)  I have found that it is a lot easier to give a quilt away when I have already made a couple-or more-quilts out of the same fabric.  LOL.

XX,
Jasmine

P.S.  I will be linking up with Let's Be Social at Sew Fresh Quilts/ 

12 comments:

  1. Lol, I'm doing sock monkeys for the Little Man's quilt and I can't find fabric anywhere! Everything is regular monkeys (or owls!)

    Love the stripe quilts - bright and cheery and fast!

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    1. Moda has sock monkey fabric. I saw some at my local quilt store.

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    2. Yes, I'm working on an online order - I checked five LQSes and not one has it! No one has Dimples, either - I thought that was the most basic of basics. At least there's online shops.

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  2. My favorite is the monkey quilt. And it's rather cute that your son is dressed in clothes to match. Nice work.

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  3. Those striped quilts are all sweet, but especially the one with the monkey wrapped up in it. And that pattern does look like a lot of fun to piece and get quilted when you want a fun project that needs to be done quickly. Low stress! I have not yet quilted with minky, so I appreciate your tips about the quality and the quilting lines not being close together. Thanks so much for sharing, Jasmine!

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  4. Photos are great - I'm still working on prettifying mine. It's a pain. Sometimes I just want to take a picture, blog it, and be done with it!

    Love these quilts, but your little monkey is the shining star! What a cute little man!

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  5. These quilts are just adorable! What a great idea for a quick and easy baby quilt - going to put that in the memory bank! The monkey quilt is my fav but I have to agree with Jennie, your little monkey is definitely the shining star of this post! :)

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  6. Love the rick rak! Also appreciate you sharing lessons learned. I plan to use minky as a backing soon on my eye spy quilt and was thinking the quilting should be "large". (Love your little monkey too...precious!!!)

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  7. Best monkey quilt ever!!! Thanks for sharing it.

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  8. Those are adorable! We made a very simple quilt at my first retreat (here's mine:http://www.busyneedle.ch/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Peaks-1-finished.jpg) and that pattern was so quick & easy! It's from the booklet Fab Five by Abbey Lane Quilts. That pattern has gone on to be used for quite a few other quilts because it is so versatile. Minky can be a great thing but you're right about checking the quality. Well done!

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  9. Oh, I love the monkey quilt and your cute little monkey that it was made for, Jasmine. Too darling!

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