Have I got a plan for you!
They say the father of invention is necessity.
I can add to that by saying if you add a bit of lack of time-to-do-it-all or procrastination, well, my quilt-as-you-go lap quilts are the answer!
Back in September one of my older brothers (I’m #5 of 6 children) turned 50.
Not that I didn’t know it was coming, but my summer was so crazy that I didn’t have a chance to think about what gift I would give him. Before I knew it, it was here and I’d still not made a decision. I wanted to make him a quilt since I’ve not made him one up until this point. I’ve made some of my siblings and siblings-in-law quilts for milestone birthdays, so I asked him at his 50th birthday party if he had any special requests.
His reply, being a U of I Fighting Illini alum x2, was that he wouldn’t mind it being blue and orange Illini colors.
I decided that would be an easy task. I found Illini fabric later that month, but was so busy with fall quilt market prep that I didn’t have the time or energy to put into even designing it. Finally last Sunday I had Clare help me baste the backing & batting.
Then I decided what the quilt would look like and made the giant “I” applique.
Next, I cut all of the strips.
Everything was set to sew.
FINALLY I started sewing!
If you’re familiar with any of my quilt-as-you-go lap quilt patterns, they all work on this principle.
Bast the backing to the batting (I like spray baste) then use that as a foundation to sew strips onto.
Once the strips are sewn on, the quilting is done.
I added the applique, then the binding.
And here it is in all its blue & orange glory…
If you think it’s bright, that’s just because you’re not an Illini fan!!!
Dennis’ 50th(+) birthday gift, check!
I hope you’re making time to sew something for Christmas (or birthdays, etc.).
Until next time,
Susan
Quilting my way through life! 