Thursday, April 12, 2012

Modern Strip Quilt

Remember when I mentioned in this post that I had a baby quilt to make for a good friend?  Well, I finally got it finished.  The modern style of this quilt totally fits my friend perfectly!  And, I had enough of this fabric left over that I made a similar one for my son too.  I just don't have that one finished! :(


I just cut strips that were the width of the fabric - and all different widths.  Sewed them together and there you have it!  Very simple!


It was so quick to come together that I really shouldn't have taken so long to get this thing finished!


For the backing, I chose some lime green and white polka dot soft and cuddly fabric from Joann's.  Of course, right after I bought it, it went on sale for 50% off.  That will teach me to forget my coupon at home.


I quilted rows across the top parallel to the strips.  The rows were each about 2-3 inches apart, and I stitched in the ditch in each of the seams.


It is sooooo soft and I really liked the way it turned out.  As for the fabric....the elephantsgiraffes, circles, and green pinstripes were all purchased from Fabric.com.  (Updated 8/1/12:  The fabric I used is no longer available on Fabric.com.  The links provided above are similar to what I used, but I believe are a heavier weight of fabric based on feedback in the comments.)

(I really like the zig zag pattern - didn't notice those when I bought the fabric a long time ago.)  I bought the black polka dot and the black/white geometric pattern both at Joann's.


I dropped it off to my friend on Saturday before Easter.  Her little guy was adorable and I think (I hope) she liked it.  Surprisingly his room was also decorated in these same colors, which worked out perfectly!!!


Actually, I got to see all my good friends on Easter weekend.  We got babysitters and had a great night out on the town!  (Normally, a night out for us is a trip to Red Robin with the kids....or something else lame like that!)  Then, we enjoyed a weekend full of Easter festivities with both sides of our family.  The boys loved their gifts from the Easter Bunny, and the Easter Egg Hunts too.  So, all in all, it was a great weekend!!!


34 comments:

  1. Love your easy quilt- just ordered this fabric! thank you for sharing

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  2. So cute! What are the dimension of the finished quilt?

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    1. Thank you! I actually don't know what the final dimensions were, and I've given it to my friend. I should have measured that! But, I just used strips that were the width of the fabric, and then trimmed it up after I had quilted it. So, it was approximately 40" wide and probably ~50" long. I'll measure the one that I am still trying to get finished up for my son! I'll post it on here after I do that.

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  3. This is exactly the style I've been wanting to do for a quilt for my baby (my MIL is helping me). Did you use any batting at all? I have some high quality cotton fabrics for the front of my quilt and pastel pink minky for the back. I wonder if it will be heavy enough? And what dimensions are your quilt?

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    1. Thank you! I did use batting because I wanted to make it soft for my friend's baby. I just used regular quilt batting - I think a Warm and Natural cotton batting is what I used. But, you could use a thicker one if you wanted to make it really soft. Someone also posted using flannel as an option for batting. That is a great idea too. With the soft and cuddly backing, you probably don't need a batting. Just depends on how much loft you want.

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  4. Hi there- I just received my fabric and I wanted to ask you - was your fabric more decorator type versus quilting fabric- I was really dissappointed to see that it is more canvas feeling than nice and soft- if yours is the same and you are using for your own son- how is it working out? thanks

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    1. I think I know what you are referring to. I bought it on Fabric.com because I just liked the fabric, but I remember it was called "sheeting" which seemed odd to me because I didn't really know what that was. When I got it, I thinking that it was kind of stiff - and kind of thinner than regular quilting fabric that I usually buy. But, after I sewed it together, added the backing/binding, quilted it, and washed it - it seemed really soft to me. The stuff I ordered didn't feel like decorator weight though - not like upholstry fabric or something like that. It was much thinner. I hope that helps and good luck!!

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    2. Actually, I was looking at the links I provided above. Those are the same designs that I used and I did order mine on Fabric.com, but I noticed that it must not be the same exact fabric that I used. I don't think they sell what I used anymore. When posting this, I was only able to find those on their site and thought they were the same thing. I'll update the post above so it doesn't cause anymore confusion. Hopefully you can still use if for your blanket!

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  5. This is a lovely quilt and so easy! Aimee...sometimes a layer of flannel is used in place of batting for a more light weigh blanket. When I make this style blanket for a throw, I use a flannel or a good quality homespun and I don't use batting. Thanks for sharing.

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  6. This looks as easy as my jean quilt I made in H.S. that I should be able to manage making it. Any chance I can post on my pinterest board (with proper credit of course) for quick and easy access & to share your site with others?

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  7. what did you use and how did you bind the outside edge?

    Terry

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    1. Hi Terry! I binded it with solid black fabric. When I do binding, I cut my fabric in 2.25" strips pieced together, fold in half, sew the open edge to the front with a 1/4" seam, fold around to the back, and then hand sew all the way around. I believe there are several tutorials out there on the web on how to do it. Just send me an email if you have any questions though.

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  8. Can you tell me where the top fabric is from or the brand? Thanks.

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    1. Unfortunately, I don't know the brand name of the fabrics. I purchased them on Fabric.com. See the other comments and links above for ideas. I'm not sure they still sell the same prints though. Good luck!

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  9. Found you on pinterest! This is so beautiful! I know your friend must be VERY happy with it!!

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  10. Awesome quilt! Is the backing in strips as well? It looks layered in the photos.

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    1. The backing is all one piece. The layered look might be coming from the horizontal quilting I did. I just quilted horizontal lines a couple inches a part.

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  11. I teach a beginning quilt class using a similar quilt. It's a 3 day class - 1st night we finish the top, 2nd the quilting is completed and the 3rd is machine-sewn binding. I love that every time the fabric does all the talking and the beginners go home with an "I can do this" feeling.
    Love the color scheme.

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  12. Prettiest quilt ever! I'm not a quilter but I think even I could make this work! I love the color combination as well. {{newest follower}}

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  13. LOVE!! I want to make a baby quilt but I'm afraid my lack of sewing machine skills and no baby have pushed it to the bottom of the priority list. Definitely pinning for future reference!

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  14. Love, love, love the modern strip quilt. I'm new to sewing/quilting (4 months now). I made my first baby quilt - the amish star, but I'm loving yours SO much more. Thank you for sharing!

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  15. I love this quilt and am on my way to buy fabric but I'm not sure how much to get? A quarter yard dor each strip on the front? Im a beginner quilter and have only used patterns that spell it out exactly for me. Thanks!

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  16. This is darling! I recognize the fabric. It's premier prints and they have a website where you can order directly from them. It is a drapery weight but they also will make it in quilting/apparel weight.
    http://premierprintsfabric.com/

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  17. I love this quilt and feel as a complete newbie it is something i may well be able to undertake.

    Can you tell me do you attach the batting to the quilt or the backing?

    Thanks

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  18. I love your quilt. I tried to find similar fabric patterns but no luck. I wondered if you use quilting fabric or flannel fabric?

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  19. Can i ask where you got the fabric from? I am in love with this quilt and want to make it :)

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  20. She doesn't seem to reply anymore. I asked her

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  21. Just got notification on your comments and I apologize for not responding sooner. Unfortunately, I don't keep this blog very active anymore. With my kids getting older I just can't seem to find the time! I got some fabric for this quilt at Joann's back in 2012 when I made this quilt, but I'm sure they have similar modern looking black and whites that you could pick from now. The elephants and giraffes were purchased from Fabric.com a long time ago as well, but another commenter posted that she recognized them from this website: http://premierprintsfabric.com/ They make them in heavy weight fabrics, so look for the light weight or quilting cottons. I hope that helps and good luck!

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  23. Love this pattern and simplicity. It inspired me to make my first quilt for my two-year old to make his transition to a toddler bed extra cozy. Used construction prints.

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  24. I've had 2brain surgeries, &math wasn't grwat b4-2 gma's quilted & I just tried...I've made 20now.I make up my own pattern, I'd never seen strips B4-I just finished 4th strip baby quilt (lt. Blue camo & pink camo strips)-I think it's GORGEOUS & UNIQUE! Bless You-sharing ur quilts,tips & tricks!!
    Always, Candy

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  25. I finished one and am doing another... love the design. Trying to find a way to upload a picture.

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    1. Send me an e-mail and I can send it that way.

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