Friday, August 28, 2020

New Neighbors and New Baby


Somewhere in the middle of our pandemic, brand new neighbors moved in next door.  They are a fun young couple with a 2 year old little girl.  Last week, they had their second - another little girl.  I've gotten a few peeks at this sweet one - all socially distant of course - and am excited to watch her grow up.

I wanted to make a simple baby quilt and found a charm pack from Kate Spain Paradiso.  After trying out several layouts, this one was the winner!  


For the back I combined large scraps of this pretty gray fabric (also used it as binding) with a scrap of another Kate Spain line.  The colors really work with the front of the quilt and the back is pretty enough to be the front!


I use my walking foot to spiral quilt leaving a circle open in the center. Once all the quilting is done, I mark a finishing spiral and use my FMQ foot to finish things off.

I washed and dried the quilt before gifting.  Frankly, I'm always torn about this for a gift quilt.  Since the quilt is design to be used and loved and therefore washed and dried a lot, I do think it is helpful for me to do the first washing.  And I love the crinkle from the dryer look.  But I also love the crisp look of a freshly quilted quilt!

 

I am thinking about writing up a quick tutorial for this quick HST project.  Interested?

Have a wonderful day! Patty

23 comments:

  1. I really love your quilt! My girlfriend always washes quilts before gifting; I never do but I have a small dryer. I'm sure your neighbor will love it!

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  2. I love the quilt, it's very pretty. I am also always torn about washing or not washing a gifted quilt as I love the crisp way it looks before washing and the crinkle effect after. I now give quilts unwashed unless it has any marks on it. I have always done this with baby quilts as the new mother can then use whatever washing powder etc she is going to use for the baby.

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  3. I'm always a bit torn about whether to wash or not, but so many people might not know that the crinkles is to be expected so I err on the side of pre-washing as well. What a kind gift for the new baby. I'm guessing your new neighbors have had quite the year with a move and new baby in the middle of everything else.

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  4. I love that design! Looks like the perfect gift for your new neighbor. Yes, a tutorial would be wonderful!

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  5. What a sweet gift for your new neighbors - they will LOVE living by you!!

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  6. i would love a tutorial for this quilt and maybe a few more tips for the concentric quilting.

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  7. definitely interested
    SewingGranda@gmail.com

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  8. Yes, please on the tutorial. The quilt is very sweet.

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  9. Lovely quilt--your new neighbors will be so enchanted with it I am sure...as it is lovely..
    I, for one, would definitely be interested in an HST project --hugs, Julierose

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  10. Lovely colors and great layout! What a fun babyquilt. And I agree, for gifting I prefer the clean look of an unwashed quilt. But for "quality control" or if there are marks on it, I might also wash it. So it is not a general thing I do but more a "what fits this quilt and recipient" thing :) Enjoy your finish!

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  11. This is beautiful quilt and a tutorial would be great.

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  12. This is a perfect gift for a new baby. It makes me want to search out a Charm Pack and get stitching straight away! The spiral quilting adds a lot of interest and texture to the patchwork - washed or not!

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  13. Great idea of FMQ the middle circle. I always struggle with the start.

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  14. This is one of my go-to quilt patterns. Easily made with HST, and can be made quickly! Your's is a beauty! Lucky neighbors!

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  15. What a sweet thing to do. I love the pattern and the quilting. I started washing more of my quilts that I give, so people aren't shocked when something looks different!

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  16. Such a pretty quilt! I love your spiral quilting. I haven't washed a quilt before gifting it. My recent Arrow Point Path quilt was gifted unwashed to my nephew. He received it in a box smashed and half open, therefore he immediately washed and dried it without fear! I think I'll start washing them beforehand after that experience! But I do love the crisp look of an unwashed quilt.

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  17. LOvely, and sure to be loved by your new neighbors. I'm with you on washing vs. not washing a gift quilt. I too like the freshly quilted look, but recipients are less intimidated about using it if it's already washed. I do wash the baby quilts I donate.

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  18. Love this quilt, what lucky neighbors!

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  19. Gorgeous quilt Patty!
    A tutorial would be lovely!
    Barbara x

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  20. Yes, please! Would love to make one of these beautiful, brightly colored baby quilts for a gift. Good job, Patty, and thanks for the hint on how you approached quilting it.

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