I did it: I finished my first real quilt, using Elise’s tutorial. It is about 45″ x 60″ and covered in flowers and foxes and birds. The triangles don’t quite line up, and the binding isn’t 100% even, but I couldn’t love the quilt more.
I ironed and cut the fabric while watching Portlandia episodes with Dan. While he studied on the couch in the guest/craft room, I sewed all the squares and strips together as we listened to, and sang along with, our favorite playlists. (My favorite: a Broadway mix. His favorites: a cappella and Casey Abrams and Mumford & Sons.)
Now I’m turning my crafting focus to catching up on Project Life and sewing stuffed animals for our friends’ and cousin’s soon-to-be babies, but I’m already dreaming up my next two quilts: another lap-sized one for the office and a t-shirt quilt.
Max likes the quilt, too… this is where he tried to sit while I was taking the quilt photos!
What are you crafting lately?
Other beautiful quilt projects that look suitable for beginners:
How to make a triangle quilt from enJOY it
Modern ombre + b/w triangle quilt from See Kate Sew
Pretty solid colored triangle quilt from enJOY it
Strip & flip quilt from Cluck Cluck Sew
15 tips on making your first quilt from Wild Olive
Broken herringbone square from Play Crafts
I LOVE IT! It’s so savvy – so you! love the colors and the prints (which you know because I’m quite certain we had an email exchange with megan when you found at least some of them!)
GREAT WORK, dear! You have inspired me to challenge myself with a crafty project very soon!
Do it! Maybe someday you’ll even break out the sewing machine
Your colors are beautiful! I helped make a quilt when I was in high school (a family friend did the binding for me) And then after college I wanted a tshirt quilt, but didn’t want to wreck my tshirts in the process, so I paid a family friend to do the project for me (totally worth it, its wonderful) But I really want to make my own quilts, maybe this is what I’ll work on next winter. Were the directions you followed easy for a beginner?
Up until the last few steps, it was very easy to follow. The last bit was a little confusing, but just took reading through a few times and trying a few things. I’m sure you could look up other tutorials for the binding piece, too!
It’s super cute. And the mismatched edges and border make it authentic. Reminds me of the first and only quilt I made in my high-school sewing class. I still have to put a border/edge on it…more than 10 years later.
yes, I’m calling it authentic/ “real”
Congratulations! Finishing your first quilt is always such a great feeling.
I love the fox fabric! Where did you find it?
I got it from http://www.drygoodsdesignonline.com/ , but I don’t see it there anymore. It is from Michael Miller, though!
your first quilt looks very pretty, love the colours you choose!
So impressive! I love the colors and patterns.
Lovely, Julie! My first quilt also was a pinwheel quilt. My grandmother is a serious quilter, and she made me pull out any stitches that weren’t perfect. Needless to say, it wasn’t much fun. I haven’t made a quilt since I was 16 as a result! I applaud your patience.
I use both of my quilts every day, and they have lasted over 15 years. I REALLY like the fox fabric, too.
Ouch! That would take forever. I can see why you’d be hesitant to make another!
i. love. it. you chose wonderful colors & patterns!
oh yeah, also. i’m using that same orange criss-cross pattern that you used for your backing on my quilt, but in blue!
I thought it looked familiar!
lovely color selection! Nice work on your first quilt.
Thank you!
Beautiful quilt! Love the model you hired for the photo shoot.
haha, thanks