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!
Both pretty and practical! I would love to make one.
Posted by: patricia | 23 July 2012 at 05:22 AM
I love the rounded corners and sea glass look! Fabulous!
Posted by: Megan | 23 July 2012 at 05:34 AM
I think the rounded corners are super!
Posted by: Suzanne | 23 July 2012 at 05:36 AM
I love the simple look of the corners and no binding!
Posted by: Laura | 23 July 2012 at 05:41 AM
This is great! Thanks for the tips and walking us through the steps. Love the clean, simple look.
Posted by: sarah jane | 23 July 2012 at 05:43 AM
So fresh and summery! Love the no binding :)
Posted by: ko. s | 23 July 2012 at 05:47 AM
I love this. Sometimes you just need that light blanket to keep the draft off in the summer, this would be PERFECT. I want one. :)
Posted by: Colleen | 23 July 2012 at 06:00 AM
Love your quilts and the colors...beautiful!!! I've never done a quilt without binding...thanks for the tutorial! Thanks, also, for the chance to win :-)
Posted by: Michelle | 23 July 2012 at 06:08 AM
Great quilt, with soft corners! And the colors are perfect to cool hot summer days (o:
Love the no-binding part.
Hope Connecting Threads soon goes international. I love their fabrics.
Thank you for the chance to win a kit.
Posted by: simone | 23 July 2012 at 06:09 AM
Love you quilt, it's very nice with the solids and reminds me of the ocean, oh wish I were there! Thanks for the chance.
Posted by: Deb A | 23 July 2012 at 06:21 AM
Wow! I love Connecting Threads, and the solids you chose look amazing together!
Posted by: Heidi | 23 July 2012 at 06:24 AM
I love the way you chose to round the corners. I need to do that on a quilt soon! I always forget!
Posted by: Amy | 23 July 2012 at 06:27 AM
"You need to be present to win." Heehee!!!
It's even more gorgeous in person! Love this Penny!!!
xoxo
Posted by: emily | 23 July 2012 at 06:41 AM
It turned out beautifully. In my favorite colors!
Posted by: Jennie P. | 23 July 2012 at 06:45 AM
I love the sea glass look. Great job; thanks for the give away.
Posted by: Jan | 23 July 2012 at 06:51 AM
I didn't realise so many colours had gone into this!
Posted by: PennyDog | 23 July 2012 at 06:54 AM
Lovely quilt, easy instructions and love the colors ~ this would be a great quilt for picnics or going to the beach! I'll be 'present' and hope to win!
Posted by: elsa | 23 July 2012 at 06:55 AM
You chose the perfect colors for sea glass - love it!
Posted by: Mary on Lake Pulaski | 23 July 2012 at 07:12 AM
I love the greens and the blues, I think I might leave the white out.
Posted by: Betty van Os | 23 July 2012 at 07:13 AM
I love this, and you've given me faith that I can make a quilt, too!
Posted by: lesley | 23 July 2012 at 07:18 AM
beautiful quilt! I love the corners.
Posted by: Amanda Rose | 23 July 2012 at 07:19 AM
It's a perfect summer holiday quilt, thanks for sharing. It's a pity Connecting Threads don't ship internationally, I love their fabric selection.
Posted by: tusen | 23 July 2012 at 07:20 AM
I love the colors you chose, this would be a perfect gift for me to make for my nautical parents. I am working on a quilt for my dad right now, made from Connecting Threads Sail away line. I think you really hit the sea glass feel perfectly!
Posted by: Kelly K | 23 July 2012 at 07:31 AM
LOVE the colors you've chosen! So summery-thanks for the chance to win it!
Posted by: Kathy Zelazny | 23 July 2012 at 07:31 AM
Even I should be able to do this!!
Love the idea of a summer quilt.
Posted by: Karen | 23 July 2012 at 07:34 AM
I'm a true beginner and this actually looks like I could do it. Love the rounded corners and would lovelovelove to win the kit!! Thanks for having the giveaway!!
Posted by: LindaSonia | 23 July 2012 at 07:48 AM
What a perfect summer picnic quilt! Would love to make one!
Posted by: Heather79 | 23 July 2012 at 07:51 AM
Penny,
Your quilt is lovely. The colors are fabulous. What a great idea to make it with out batting. Also your tutorial is very clear. Thanks for the chance to win. Have a great day.
Cheers,
Linda
Posted by: Linda Fieldhouse | 23 July 2012 at 08:18 AM
I love the colour combination and the decision to turn it instead of bind it!
Posted by: Lynn F | 23 July 2012 at 08:20 AM
Gorgeous as usual, Penny!! This would be an EXCELLENT beach quilt so throw my name in that hat please :-)
Hugs,-Christine
Posted by: Christine McClellan | 23 July 2012 at 08:26 AM
Wow, so fresh looking! I love the simplicity of the no-binding and the patchwork.
Posted by: Linda | 23 July 2012 at 08:27 AM
I love to sew and have never attempted a quilt. The binding part scares me so I am excited to learn there are other ways instead of binding. Your color choices are fantastic! Great job. Thanks for the chance to win the supplies.
Posted by: Wendy | 23 July 2012 at 08:31 AM
I love it, it definitely has a sea glass look! I turned my first quilt, mostly because I had no idea what I was doing! However, yours turned out much better! :)
Posted by: Mariah | 23 July 2012 at 08:31 AM
I love the colors! I have a jar full of sea glass on our coffee table :) I loved the photo on IG but didn't realize the corners were rounded and that you had used tangerine thread, which I LOVE! Thanks for posting!
Posted by: Allison Evans | 23 July 2012 at 08:34 AM
I (and it looks like everyone else) love the colors! So pretty
Posted by: Amanda Livingstone | 23 July 2012 at 08:44 AM
I love it. It would make a great beach blanket!
Posted by: Janel | 23 July 2012 at 08:51 AM
This is so fresh and bright, so beautiful. Thank you for the chance =)
Posted by: Carolyn | 23 July 2012 at 08:52 AM
I love that your tutorial is so easy to follow. I'd love to try it. Thanks for the chance to win.
Posted by: Janet B | 23 July 2012 at 08:53 AM
I love your rounded corners - must try that soon!! Thanks for the chance to win!
Posted by: Becky Greene | 23 July 2012 at 08:53 AM
That is amazing! The colors, the "turned" and the quilting! I want one just like that!!!
Posted by: Lauren aka Giddy99 | 23 July 2012 at 08:58 AM
LOVE LOVE LOVE the colors - would love to make this quilt.
Posted by: Densie | 23 July 2012 at 09:01 AM
Love the colors, you nailed the sea glass idea!
Posted by: Sarah | 23 July 2012 at 09:15 AM
I really love the colours you chose!
Posted by: M | 23 July 2012 at 09:25 AM
I love the colours and the curved corners!
Posted by: Gill | 23 July 2012 at 09:39 AM
This is so beautiful! I love the colors.
Posted by: Carrie | 23 July 2012 at 09:45 AM
Wonderful colors i love blue and green
Posted by: cindy a | 23 July 2012 at 09:53 AM
Love this quilt! These are so my colors!
Posted by: NorahS | 23 July 2012 at 10:01 AM
Wonderful sea glass effect! I'd love to win the kit and make one also.
Posted by: Lindsey | 23 July 2012 at 10:11 AM
Great colors! Thanks for the tutorial and the chance to win! :)
Posted by: Angie C | 23 July 2012 at 10:20 AM
It really does look like sea glass. So simple but so striking!
Posted by: DianeY | 23 July 2012 at 10:21 AM