Bloggers Quilt Festival Spring 2013 – All Stars

19 May
AmysCreativeSide.com
I knew that Bloggers Quilt Festival was almost upon us and then a lot of blog posts appeared with lots of lovely quilts in and I realised I wasn’t prepared like I’d aimed to be.
The quilt I’m going to show you today has not appeared previously except in a sneak peek at the end of March.  There is a story behind it which is not mine to share.  But what I can share is my reason behind the making of this quilt.
A lovely young boy that I know has been going through an extremely tough time and things recently got a whole lot worse, I was lost for words.  Tobit (my husband) was away in London for a couple of days but once he was back I told him what was going on and how I needed to make a quilt for this boy.
Sometimes there are no words, but there was a stash of fabric and the ability to sew, so I did.  With every cut and stitch I thought about this boy and his family, a couple of times I thought they might think me weird for doing this but so what.
I pulled out from my stash every bit of the All Stars collection for Riley Blake that was one of my first full bundle purchases, I’ve used it in various projects but still had plenty left.  In addition are a few pieces from the Wheels collection (also Riley Blake) and some charms from the Andover Dimples range:

All Star quilt

I made a pile of 9 patch blocks, cut them up and moved them around a few (hundred) times before agreeing a layout with myself.

I was on a bit of a mission not just for the young boy but also because we had started major building work on the house and I was about to lose the dining room (also my sewing space) and the kitchen.

I didn’t want to hang about so made a scrappy (very) back with all my leftovers and a large piece of All Stars flannel for extra snuggle factor.

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All Star quilt

So with an hour to go before time was up and the dining room was sealed and off limits I got down on my hands and knees and basted this quilt.

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I quilted it myself in straight lines either side of the main block lines (someone please tell me a more technical way of explaining that) and hand sewed the binding on.

There’s a label on there too, which had a message added before it was delivered:

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I worried about how to deliver this quilt and how it would be received, but I needn’t have.  There were tears from the mum and me and smiles and amazement from the young boy as he wrapped it round himself.  I hope that it will continue to give him comfort for years to come.

Thanks for reading.  I’m entering this into the Throw Quilt category as think that’s the best fit.

Quilt Stats:

Size: 45″ x 58″
Fabric: All Stars and Wheels Riley Blake, Dimples – Andover
Backing fabric: All Star Flannel and scrappy
Binding: Summersville Cross Hatch red
Quilting: Quilted by me on my machine
Batting: Hobbs Heirloom Wadding 80/20
Pattern: 9 patch

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19 Replies to “Bloggers Quilt Festival Spring 2013 – All Stars

  1. It is a beautiful quilt with a lot of sentiment sewn up into it. You are a lovely person for making this, Mary, and it is beautiful!

  2. I have found quilters to be such generous souls, as you prove over and over. Creative and kind…you are a great person.

  3. That is a wonderful quilt, great colour selection, and so glad it it bought you and all involved some some happiness!

  4. It is a beautiful quilt and such a lovely story about why you made it. I’m sure it will help the boy and bring him a lot of comfort. Juliex

  5. Sometimes making a quilt is just the right thing to do. It’s beautiful and wishing you good luck for the festival x

  6. Thank you for sharing this; I love this story. I think many of us have worried at some point whether a quilt gift would seem “weird.” I’m so pleased it was well received — it is very cute!

  7. I don’t know if it applies to everybody but I know that sometimes when a person learns of something terrible they are overtaken by an absolute compulsion to take action. You are one of those people and I believe you are an inspiration to others. Thank you for being who you are, Mary, and for taking action.

  8. It’s great to hear the boy and his mum loved the quilt. I’m sure they were touched by your kindness. The quilt is a beauty.

  9. How nice of you to make this comforting quilt for this little boy when he really needed it! Thanks for sharing this with us!

  10. Tears are welling up in my eyes as I read your post. The way you write…I sense your urgency, your mission to get this quilt done – for so many reasons. I am so glad it is loved adn I know you will be blessed in return. Thank you for sharing!

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