I lied, like, a little bit.
The x-pluses didn’t really want to be first.
Really, the x-pluses want 1) more grey fabric (I am making the 12” size and I need 5.5” squares of grey! Not effective to cut from fat quarters, so I have a pile of half-yards coming); and they want 2) me to keep them. For myself, forever.
Really, this quilt is, I think, Samantha’s fault. I whined to her about having had to give away the Washi Dress I made out of the precious, can’t-find-it-anywhere-anymore tiny Kokka strawberries-on-navy print. Pragmatically, she responded, “Don’t you have scraps? Make yourself a pouch or something!”
Oh, I had scraps. A whole pile, wadded up on my bedroom fabric-catcher table. (You know you have a place where your fabric and blocks that you’re not QUITE ready to put away yet land.) I took that scrap wad and made not lemonade but
jam.
I really do have to give this one as a wedding gift, though.
One small note on block construction: You absolutely do not need any kind of tutorial or whatever to make these. You can do it yourself. BUT, but. It is kind of nice when the measurements you choose make it easy to cut one nice width of fabric, selvege to selvege (WOF) strip per block, yeah?
I started with a 4.5” center square
sashed it with a 2.5” strip
and sashed again with a 2” strip. That last 2” strip I was able to cut just WOF, and had a teeny rectangle leftover, like in the second photo (improv block for the back, anyone?).
The blocks are 11.5”, 11” finished (such a nice easy number to multiply to figure a final quilt size).
(A final PS, for the weirdos: I wanted to call this quilt “For Reverend Green,” my favorite song off of Animal Collective’s Strawberry Jam, but my husband made a face and said no one would get an Animal Collective reference. ONE OF YOU GETS IT, right?)
Adrianne said:
Fantastic quilt top – I totally see why you want to keep it for yourself. Sadly, I don’t get the Animal Collective reference but I am totally in favour of giving quilts obscure, insider joke names. Keeps things interesting!
Kim @ Robot Mom sews said:
This is so lovely! I love the colors in it. Too bad you can’t keep it but I’m sure the recipients will cherish it!
Beth said:
I agree with Adrianne about the name. I love that strawberry print too – do you have any more left to make something for you? A pouch like your friend suggested? The quilt top looks great – nice mix of colors and fabrics.
Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation said:
love your quilt! I’m such a sucker for quilts with lots of squares. love the colors too!
-Kelly š
mlwilkie said:
Love the quilt top – cute strawberries. I know I should know WOF but I don’t, what is it? Also I sadly don’t know the Animal Collective reference either but I went and listened to them in iTunes – I am all over alternative rock and looking for new bands – you never know š
In The Boon Docks said:
Such beautiful colors very modern!
Ashley said:
i love this. i love the strawberries, the low volume, the obscure name. i even love that making this means you get to buy more low volume fabric. yes. and, and, AND, i love that this means you’re keeping the X-plus quilt for yourself! YES.
hydeeann said:
When life gives you scraps, make jam.
I think you just coined a new quilting mantra. š
Totally awesome top!
Fran said:
Lovely quilt top! And I Do get the Animal Collective reference – very clever!
Lucy @ Charm About You said:
That is so gorgeous! Love the fabrics and thanks for the block instructions š
cloudcoucou said:
Great quilt, I love that colour combination at the moment….. and I’m happy to say I love that album too, I dug it out the other week to listen to while sewing!!
Leanne said:
Very, very pretty. I love the fabric catcher table too…mine is the hutch in my dining room, which is where I sew.
Stephanie said:
Girl, you are a machine lately!! I’m so jealous of your quilty work ethic – I’ve been feeling uber lazy lately and need to get it together and get working. These fabrics work so well together. I love black/white/grey with pops of color. Great use of such fabulous scraps!
Nikki said:
I really like this!! It’s a great use of those cute little scraps. (When i have scraps that I adore, I make little zip bags, which I carry in my purse to keep my stuff organized. š
I also really like the name-I’m not creative enough with my quilt names!!
(And I don’t get the other name reference, but that’s not saying much!)
wombatquilts said:
Love the colors in this quilt.
pomegranateandchintz said:
Love your strawberry jam – looks good enough to eat!!
Rachel at Stitched in Color said:
I love the name and the close up of that first block. Pretty!
Laura C said:
The light was just about gone by the time I got outside to do photos. I kind of love what late afternoon light does to a quilt on the grass, though! Thanks! Laura
Sarah @ Quilt Candy said:
I love the colours in this quilt, the pinks and the greys work so well together š
Karen@littlebirdiequilting said:
I love the look of your blog-the colour photos show up so well with the fresh background.
Samantha said:
Well if you are going to complain about making it and blame me you can always send it to me, lol. Okay fine keep your scraps and your awesome quilt top!!!!!!!!!! I love it! And you were super duper quick too!
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