Well, the quilt I am posting for Park City Girl’s Quilt Festival is about to fly this nest to live with another family… Its amazing how attached you become to your labours of love…oh, where’s my hanky?…sniff..sniff. ; ) I’ve had a brilliant time sourcing materials, choosing patterns, piecing and quilting this baby sized quilt for a colleague’s first baby. I have learnt so much through the process, and I am so glad!
For this quilt I sourced all of my fabric online from Sew Mama Sew and had it flown over from the States {to my home in England} with my family’s luggage when they visited this summer. While I love each and every fabric I selected – not to mention the great service at Sew Mama Sew – I learnt that I prefer to choose my fabrics in person, rather than online. I am learning that I am at my best creatively when I can use my senses intuitively – especially touch. It is exciting to see my creative process develop more and more…
I followed a specific pattern for this one, and I was very glad I did. Being relatively new to the quilting scene, I felt it gave me foundational principles {i.e. machine stippling, colour-work, etc.} and expanded my knowledge of what works – which is always good! These foundations give me the confidence to brave my own designs and bring in the organic creativity that I so love in all my crafting!
I guess the thing I loved most about this quilt is that it was made for a fellow wife who also has a cross-cultural marriage {she is Finnish + he is English} and is, for the moment, raising her first child in a country that isn’t her home and in a language she continues to learn. Being in an American/English marriage, myself, and living in a country I didn’t grow up in, we have a connection even though we have nearly nothing in common culturally. We understand each other. And it makes me happy that through the everyday challenges of living and being married cross-culturally we can encourage each other through the differences we share together. And I think this quilt is my way of giving a little piece of ‘home’ while she’s in this strange place called England.
Behind every quilt is a story! To see more quilts and some of the amazing stories behind them, click on the Park City Girl’s Quilt Festival button at the sidebar. And grab a box of tissues – you’ll be in tears as you hear these people’s stories! Enjoy!
74 comments
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October 9, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Anne
Your fabric choices turned out great, but I know what you mean about wanting to see them in person! It’s beautiful and your friend will love this.
October 9, 2009 at 2:19 pm
dee
Such pretty bright greens. Lovely.
October 9, 2009 at 3:24 pm
arlijohn
What a great quilt and good fabric choices. I mailorder many of my fabrics and it is sometimes surprising.
October 9, 2009 at 3:24 pm
2hippos
The greens and yellows look so cheery!
October 9, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Kaye Prince
I love this quilt – it’s so darling! I’m currently working on a pinwheel quilt too right now!
October 9, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Rhondi
Hi Laura
What a delightful baby quilt! I’m sure the new parents will be thrilled. I know what you mean when you said you need to feel the fabrics. Many of my friends order fabric online but I just can’t do it!
Happy quilting, Rhondi
October 9, 2009 at 4:27 pm
tirane93
cozy! what a pretty pinwheel quilt.
October 9, 2009 at 6:30 pm
Carol Hansen
I’m in a cross culture marriage myself so I can totally relate. Love the pinwheels and the colors.
October 9, 2009 at 6:48 pm
Megan
I seem to keep seeing this pattern poping up around the web. You did a beautiful job with it. Thanks for the inspiration!
October 9, 2009 at 7:01 pm
Sally
So pretty – I love the little chicks! The pinwheels are darling. Don’t forget that you, too, are living in a country whose language is not your own – I studied for a year in Norwich and once told a classmate that I liked her “pants!” She was horrified, and eventually so was I; I meant her “trousers” of course!
October 9, 2009 at 7:45 pm
aneela
Lovely colour scheme, so cheery:) I am afraid I am an advocate of online fabric shopping, it’s just the choice I love!!
October 9, 2009 at 8:11 pm
Katie B.
Beautiful quilt. I love the colors, and the story!
October 9, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Aunt Spicy
So fresh and crisp, love your quilt and the greens and yellows! I love this little festival, it is so fun to meet new quilters!
October 9, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Kristina
lovely colours, and what a great story :-)
Kristina
October 9, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Allie
Beautiful quilt. I love hearing the story behind it.
October 9, 2009 at 10:05 pm
Zonnah
I love pinwheels!
October 10, 2009 at 1:02 am
Marianne
It’s gorgeous! I’ve been wanting to do this quilt too.
October 10, 2009 at 1:34 am
Stephanie
This is beautiful. It is amazing. Love the color, border and quilting. Thanks for sharing, Stephanie
October 10, 2009 at 1:39 am
Sara
Pinwheels are great! I love them…Really like these colors.
October 10, 2009 at 2:24 am
Kami Mandell
I love the soft colors of green. And the prarie points are an excellent border. Good job.
October 10, 2009 at 2:49 am
V
love those colors! I want to see the whole thing!! pleaze!!!
October 10, 2009 at 2:50 am
Serena
I love this quilt and the story! Thanks for sharing!!
October 10, 2009 at 3:00 am
Karen
Yes, we quilters love to fondle fabric, don’t we? Beautiful quilt and a great story.
October 10, 2009 at 3:07 am
Lemon Tree Tami
Yellow and green makes such a cheerful and happy baby quilt. Love the prairie point edges. I’m with you on buying fabrics in person. I prefer that but sometimes I see a print online that I fall in love with that none of my local quilt shops carry.
October 10, 2009 at 3:37 am
Karen
Hi,
I love your colour combination and beautiful quilting – great quilt!
October 10, 2009 at 4:08 am
Melody
Lovely fabric selection and a sweet quilt!
October 10, 2009 at 4:30 am
Ariane
I love the fabrics you chose. Your quilt looks beautiful.
October 10, 2009 at 11:35 am
Mel
pinwheels + prairie points = Bliss. Very impressive work for a beginner!
October 10, 2009 at 11:44 am
emma
What a lovely quilt – and that little birdie fabric is very sweet.
October 10, 2009 at 1:34 pm
Helen
Fresh spring colours! Perfect!
October 10, 2009 at 1:47 pm
jean kritenbrink
Beautiful quilt and fabric choices. I think online shopping is great for people who don’t have the shops and choices locally, but it is always better to see and feel them in person!
October 10, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Leslie
this is beautiful…i understand how you felt. It is so hard to give away something you have labored so long on and with so much love. i find i fall in love with the fabrics and can’t bear to see them go.
October 10, 2009 at 6:37 pm
Carol
Beautiful quilt and beautiful story.
Carol
October 10, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Aimee
I love the colors. I’m usually not a fan of yellow and green together, but really like it here! I have enjoyed reading all of the stories behind the quilts, too.
October 10, 2009 at 8:49 pm
Mrs Moen
The quilt is wonderful, and I’m sure the gift will be appreciated. I would never known you are rather new to quilting, it looks perfect!
October 10, 2009 at 8:55 pm
Natalia
Love your quilt! I love pinwheels!
October 10, 2009 at 9:29 pm
LauraJ
I love the prairiepoints! And green… I love green especially in the winter.
October 11, 2009 at 1:34 am
Jocelyn
Lovely quilt. And I agree with you, I like to pick out my own fabric too.
Jocelyn
http://happycottagequilter.blogspot.com/
October 11, 2009 at 4:16 am
Madeline
Great color choices and construction. I’m very tactical, too, so I understand what you mean. Thanks for sharing.
October 11, 2009 at 5:09 am
cindy
What a wonderful story behind the creation of your quilt — it’s amazing how some fabric and thread can become a connection between people – those who create and those who receive are both blessed by the process. Thanks for sharing!
October 11, 2009 at 9:27 am
jo
what a fantastic quilt! thanks for sharing your story.
October 11, 2009 at 10:34 am
QuiltSue
What lovely colours you chose.
October 11, 2009 at 2:34 pm
Zarina
I love the color combo. I am in the middle of collecting fabric for a friendship quilt and I am stuck with not having enough yellow fabric. Maybe green will help do the trick.
October 11, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Rene'
Beautiful quilt and the story behind it. My daughter would so love this quilt with the lovely greens. Your label on the back is great too. Thanks for sharing.
October 11, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Linda Moran
Really great story! You will love choosing your own fabrics and increasing your quilting skills! You will be totally hooked!
October 11, 2009 at 5:46 pm
sewpam63
I like your story! Thanks SEW much for sharing. Quilting can definitely be the thread that binds. ; )
October 11, 2009 at 7:25 pm
paula
I love the addition of the sharks teeth to that inner border. It will give the little one something to finger.
October 11, 2009 at 8:22 pm
Angela
I love those greens! Your prarie points look great, too!
October 12, 2009 at 12:43 am
Emily
Wow! I really love everything about this quilt!!
October 12, 2009 at 12:45 am
Carin
Great story! Beautiful quilt.
October 12, 2009 at 12:45 am
Laurel
I love the colors you chose. Nice job!
October 12, 2009 at 3:44 am
amber
Beautiful quilt. The colors are very soothing and it is such a sweet gift to give to your friend. One from the heart. Great job on the quilt!
October 12, 2009 at 4:30 am
Trisha
What a sweet quilt! I love the colors you chose. Perfect for that great pattern!
October 12, 2009 at 4:58 am
Diana Zamora
It´s lovely!!! and a great gift. Thanks for sharing.
Diana Zamora
from Costa Rica
October 12, 2009 at 11:53 am
penny g
I know this quilt twill encourage her in the especially trying times. It is both beautiful and thoughtful.
October 12, 2009 at 3:52 pm
Rebekah
How pretty! I love the three dimensional triangles. What a fun feature.
October 12, 2009 at 11:07 pm
Lisa
Beautiful! Your friend will love it!
October 13, 2009 at 1:32 am
Jeannette
The triangle details will be much loved by little fingers I suspect..or maybe even litle mouths! I am always amazed when I see really togehter quilts and the blogger is confesing they are new to quilting…amazing.
October 13, 2009 at 1:42 pm
Erin
I really like the lemon-lime fabrics combined with the pinwheel. It’s one of my favorite blocks. The prairie point border is a neat touch.
October 13, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Karen
An excellent quilt!!
October 13, 2009 at 4:52 pm
Page Borski
Wow, it’s beautiful. I love the colors. I have this pattern on my to-do list. Hopefully will get to it someday.
October 13, 2009 at 4:52 pm
Amy - parkcitygirl
Your quilt is beautiful! I love the colors and the story makes it even more precious. Happy quilting!!
October 13, 2009 at 5:42 pm
Lis Harwood
Hi from Lincolnshire. Your quilt is gorgeous, I love the colours.
October 14, 2009 at 12:06 am
Mary
Green and yellow is one of my favorite colorways and yours is great.
Love it
October 14, 2009 at 1:48 am
beth
this is a beautiful quilt! glad you could give it to someone special!
October 14, 2009 at 4:51 am
Genevieve
BEAUTIFUL!!! I love the color combination.
Genevieve
October 14, 2009 at 7:19 pm
Suzanne
Lovely! I’m sure it will be much loved.
October 15, 2009 at 5:50 pm
Aimee
Very beautiful! What a wonderful friendship to have when you are so far from home!
October 15, 2009 at 7:58 pm
Carolyn
Your quilt has such happy and cheery colors. I love it!
October 16, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Patty
Your quilt is beautiful. I love green!
October 16, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Sandra
Dearly love these soothing colors and they are Perfect for a quilt. What a labor of love, I know what you mean about sending them away even to another good home -smile-.
October 16, 2009 at 5:37 pm
Marika
I like it the quilt very nice.
Marika
October 18, 2009 at 11:54 pm
JC
I absolutely love your quilt. The windmill blocks, meandering stitching and the colors you chose are beautiful and the prairie points always add something special to any quilt, imo. :)
July 31, 2010 at 6:32 pm
Quilt Festival – Fall 2009 » Amy's Creative Side
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