Blue Squares (my first quilt)

[annam42]

Inspired by this post, I made my first quilt - which we are now sleeping under.  Feels like a whole new bed!



I machine quilted, and then hand-sewed the binding (actually it's just fabric from the back folded over. The finished thing is about 84" x 96", big enough to cover our queen-size bed. I still would like to wash it so that it can get that lovely wrinkly quilty look.  Here is a shot of what the back looks like. I'm thinking sometimes we'll just flip it over since this batik is so pretty.

[kaishabackwards]

This is so great!!

[HSG]

Love the pattern and the way you placed the shades of blue. Excellent quilt work.

[bookgrrl42]

Congratulations on your first quilt!  It looks great and I love the fabrics you chose for it.  As a new quilter, I wish I had been more aware of my local guilds and joined one of them.  Now, six years later in a new city, I've finally done so.  Quilters are a unique blend of creative, supportive, fun loving and silly.  I have so much fun with my guild, and I learn so much from my fellow members of all levels of experience and knowledge.  You can participate as much or as little as you like and there are members from new quilters to seasoned veterans in the group.  I encourage you to check out and attend a meeting at your local guild.  I wish I had done so sooner.  It's been a great way to share my love for quilting and meet new friends.  Awesome quilt!

[ademareej]

I love the blues!  And kudos for your patience...I have tried quilting several times, and have yet to actually finish any of them. 

[sugar-magnolia]

Wow, that is beautiful!  It's so clean and modern, but still quilt-y.

[Lufah]

I love the modern-ness of it, too.  Especially the addition of the one pastel fabric  - I think that adds a nice bit of contrast to the other colors.

[digital misfit]

I love the contrast of a classic quilt with such a modern design.  The colors are gorgeous.  You did a great job!  I would never have known it was your first quilt! 

[Eowynt]

  What a beautiful quilt - it is hard to believe that it is your first one.

[stick]

I am in awe of this.  I would really like to attempt to make one myself but I am at a total loss on how.  Any chance of a tutorial or some instructions?   

[bamabess]

I love this pattern so much... it looks really beautiful. Washing quilts really does improve their look. The crinkly-ness and softness take them to a whole new level--you'll love it even more!

[grammardog]

GORGEOUS!  I did the Red Square one, inspired by a lady named Chaelaanne, who designed the basic pattern.  I think she hangs around here... I hope she sees your work!  How cool to have inspired someone ELSE with a quilt of mine. 

[kaolin]

Awesome.  Love the coolness of the oceany colors

[KyTriplets]

That is your FIRST quilt???  What a fantastic job!  Good for you!

[kategirl]

oh, wow, that's beautiful!

[annam42]

I am in awe of this.  I would really like to attempt to make one myself but I am at a total loss on how.  Any chance of a tutorial or some instructions?   

Not sure how to do a tutorial for something as involved as a quilt! I did page through a few books at the bookstore to get a sense of how to attach the top to the back and to do the machine quilting. For figuring out the top, nothing beats some graph paper. Just figure out some kind of scale (for me, it was every square = 3") and draw out what you'd like to make. It's basically a pixelated pattern!

[stick]

I am in awe of this.  I would really like to attempt to make one myself but I am at a total loss on how.  Any chance of a tutorial or some instructions?   

Not sure how to do a tutorial for something as involved as a quilt! I did page through a few books at the bookstore to get a sense of how to attach the top to the back and to do the machine quilting. For figuring out the top, nothing beats some graph paper. Just figure out some kind of scale (for me, it was every square = 3") and draw out what you'd like to make. It's basically a pixelated pattern!

You just answered my question!!!  Thank you annam42!  They are small squares attached together to make the larger block just like a normal quilt... duh!  Blond moment, I apologize!  This make so much more since to me, and am such a basic quilter that I thought that the squares were full pieces of fabric appliquéd on.  Thank you for clearing this up for me!

[SpicyChicaLisaAnn]

I love this pattern, such clean lines & modern, very nice color choices too! 

[Taz]

It's really pretty.  I could use it in my bedroom. 

Can I ask what kind of batting you used?  I'm just starting out with machine quilting and have a quilt top about that size.  After working on a crib size, I'm wondering how I'll ever machine quilt something so big.

Thanks

[annam42]

It's really pretty.  I could use it in my bedroom. 

Can I ask what kind of batting you used?  I'm just starting out with machine quilting and have a quilt top about that size.  After working on a crib size, I'm wondering how I'll ever machine quilt something so big.

Thanks

I used the organic cotton batting that Joann's sells. It's much flatter than the polyester kind, which I think helps with the quilting - plus the no chemicals appealed to me. They have it in all different sizes (though not I think crib size - you'd probably just have to cut another one down to size).

[Kyrie04]

That's fantastic! I love the colors!

[Mumblety]

(actually it's just fabric from the back folded over.)

I do that lots too! For some reason it seems easier to do it than cutting the long strips. Plus I kind of like the look of it on the backside...

Anyway, great job!

[SpicyChicaLisaAnn]

i love the look of these square pattern quilts- awesome job & colors!

[mellybelly81]

that's so beautiful. Definitely going to bookmark this one!

[Yarn or Fabric]

That is a really awesome first quilt!
I think you're a natural

[suzyyy29]

This is beautiful! I love it!

[mudbug1096]

This was your first quilt? Wow- I am amazed. It look phenomenal. Great job!

[DancinInTheDark]

That is gorgeous. <3 You did a really great job on it-if you hadn't said it was your first quilt, I wouldn't have known it was. 

[Thimbles71]

The pattern is really sleek!  You did a lovely job.