I'm calling this quilt "first" because it's the first quilt I've made that uses only solids for the top. I wanted a sea-glass sort of look to it, so I chose 17 different green and blue connecting threads solids to make it.
First is 60X75" and is backed with a connecting threads flannel. I wanted a lightweight, drapy summer throw, so there is no batting. Also, I turned it instead of binding it.
Today I'm going to walk you through the steps to make your very own "first" quilt.
And if you leave a comment on this post, you'll be entered into a drawing to win a "first" kit so you can make one for yourself exactly like mine! I'll leave the comments open till Friday. And please keep in mind, you need be present to win! i.e., I will post the winner here, so make sure and check back!
What you will need:
1/3 yard of each connecting threads solid: verdigris, meadow, peridot, turquoise, jade, french blue, spring green, bluebird, cerulean, ocean mist, sprout, teal, aqua, sapling, cornflower, sea breeze
3/4 yard connecting threads solid white
4 yards connecting threads squiggle squares flannel
1 spool tangerine essential cotton thread
Steps:
- Cut your solid fabrics into 5 1/2" charm squares. You will need 180 for the quilt, and will have extra at the end. I used all of some colors and not as many of some colors so having extras will give you choices on placement.
- Sew your squares into 15 rows consisting of 12 squares each.
- Sew your rows together, making sure to line up the seams in each row. Press the seams to one side.
- Piece your flannel backing so it is at least 64X79". (To do this, I cut my flannel into two 2 yard pieces and sewed one of the selvedge edges of the two pieces back together.)
- Use a bowl or plate or pan to trace around to round the corners of the quilt.
- Lay your quilt top right sides together with your flannel backing and pin around the edges of the top. (your backing will be a few inches larger than your top, we will trim the extra backing and the corners of the top off later.)
- Using a 1/4" seam and backstitching at the beginning and end, sew around the edge of the top, making sure to leave a 6" or so opening for turning.
- Trim the excess backing from around the top.
- Turn your quilt through the opening.
- Press the quilt making sure to get your seams on the edges open and then pin baste your quilt (thanks for asking about pin basting Douglas!).
- Using a slip stitch, hand stitch the opening closed.
- Use a walking foot and the tangerine thread to quilt, straight line stitching to the right and left of each seam. My juki has a great thread cutter that cuts the threads to the back of the quilt, so I just sewed my quilted stitches right off the edge of the quilt and then backstitched once and used the thread cutter on my machine and at the end, went around the backside of the quilt and trimmed threads. (thanks for asking about this Dan!)
You are done!!
Thank you to Connecting Threads for supplying the fabrics and thread and for offering up a "first" kit to the readers of sewtakeahike!
The giveaway is now closed!
