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/