A flannel quilt for the graduate!

I love making graduation quilts. There is so much promise, hope and excitement in watching a young person graduate and take their next steps in life. I think it energizes those of us who have to brush off the cobwebs to remember our own graduations. It reminds us of the possibilities of new beginnings, and how thrilled and scared we were in those moments. Making a quilt for a graduate is our way of sending love and encouragement with the young person embarking on that new journey.

We have two special graduates to celebrate this year . . . our daughter’s boyfriend Cameron and our niece Madison. Cam just graduated from college and Madison is graduating from high school. They are both terrific young people who will make a positive mark on the world.  I look forward to seeing how their futures unfold. Today I want to share some pictures of Cam’s quilt, which we gave to him this past weekend.

The gorgeous flannel fabric you see in the photos is Farmhouse Flannels II by Primitive Gatherings for Moda.  This collection will release in July, and you definitely want to get your hands on a bundle! To tell you the truth, I think I need more of this fabric! It goes nicely in my house!

Obviously, the flannel texture is yummy, as flannel always is. But I also love the rich, masculine palette. The steely grays lean toward blue to my eye, the blacks remind me of charcoal, and the browns have a bark-like coloring ~ the color palette is natural and wonderful.

I knew this collection would make the perfect college graduation quilt for Cam. I searched for a simple, masculine pattern and found one on Fat Quarter Shop's website: “Picnic” by Zen Chic.  This FREE pattern finishes at 72” x 83” and is layer cake friendly.  I had a fat quarter bundle of Farmhouse Flannels II, so I cut my 10” squares from the bundle and used the remaining fabric, along with some yardage, to sew a scrappy backing. Two quilts in one!

By now you’ve noticed the fabulous machine quilting that adds such depth and visual interest.  The pattern is called Diagonal Plaid Bias and the wonderful work was done by Jennifer of Farm Fresh Stitches. Thank you so much, Jennifer! It’s perfect!

Each time I make a graduation quilt, I envision it with the recipient. My sappy hope is that it brings them the comfort of home and the reminder that they are loved. Although I haven’t known Cam his whole life, I’ve known him long enough to appreciate his kindness, sense of humor and genuinely good character. He’s accomplished great things so far, and I’m sure that will continue in his future. Here he is with our daughter, Haley.

In a week or two I’ll share my second graduation quilt with you, Madison’s quilt. Here’s a sneak peek.  This quilt is all sunshine and sweetness, just like our niece!

Thanks for stopping by the blog today!

~Taunja

Bloom-Topia: Release 8

Hello quilting friends! I can't believe it's already the middle of May and there are only a few blocks remaining in our Bloom-Topia Quilt Along with Fat Quarter Shop. What fun this has been! Today I'm sharing my Release 8 block, which is called Corn and Beans.   

This was a super easy block with nicely sized pieces. I took a risk and decided to use a navy print for my background fabric, which I think makes this simple block look more striking. From a distance, that navy background fabric almost takes on a denim tone, which I love. 

All of the prints in this block are from the Harvest Road collection by Lella Boutique for Moda. 

The original Bloom-Topia quilt designed by Fat Quarter Shop features the Summer Sweet fabric collection by Sherri & Chelsi for Moda.  If you would like to make one just like the original, there is still time to purchase a Bloom-Topia kit!

Thanks for stopping by!

~Taunja

Important Links:

Fat Quarter Shop: Release 1, Release 2, Release 3, Release 4, Release 5, Release 6, Release 7, Release 8

Purchase a kit: Bloom-Topia kit
Purchase a backing set: Backing set kit

My intro post: Bloom-Topia Quilt Along
My blocks: Release 1, Release 2, Release 3, Release 4, Release 5, Release 6, Release 7

Fabric requirements: Fabric Requirements & Pattern Release Schedule

Jolly Jabber landing page: Bloom-Topia Quilt Along

Donation page: Make-A-Wish

A sunny Flower Tile quilt block

Last night I was feeling blue. I was missing my quilting buddies and reminiscing about the fun we have when we sew together . . . giggling, talking, snacking, creating. For a moment, I considered throwing myself on the couch and binge watching Netflix. But instead, I picked up my chin and sought refuge in the sewing room. I’m so glad I did, because by the end of the evening I had cheered myself considerably by making this happy block!

Do you remember my Flower Tile pattern? I released it in 2018 and it has always been a personal favorite of mine. My original Flower Tile quilt featured the soft and romantic Strawberry Fields Revisited collection by Fig Tree & Company. This is a charm pack friendly pattern that finishes at 40 1/2” square, making it a great size for a table topper, wall hanging or baby quilt.

I’ve wanted to sew up this quilt in a completely different look for quite some time, and since Moda’s Indigo Chambray (#12051 13) is my new favorite fabric, I decided to use that as the neutral in this quilt. Don’t you just love how the red, green and yellow fabrics pop off of the chambray?

The red and green prints are from Fig Tree’s original Christmas Figs collection, but they are releasing a similar line, Christmas Figs II, this month! This block has a decidedly summertime vibe, so I find it quite fun that three prints from a Christmas collection play a starring role. The warm butter yellow print is from Corey Yoder’s Pepper & Flax collection.  

I’ll keep making more Flower Tile blocks whenever the mood strikes me, whenever I need a sunny pick-me-up. I hope all of you are finding happy times in your sewing rooms as well!

In honor of Mother’s Day, all of my patterns in my Etsy Shop are 20% off through Monday, May 11. No coupon code is needed. Thanks for stopping by!

~Taunja