Rey and BB-8 | a quilt for Raelyn

Making this quilt was a little out of the norm for me but recently a little girl in our circle was diagnosed with cancer so things don’t feel normal. I did what I always do - I made her a quilt, but then I made another identical quilt to raffle for donations to the gofundme that’s been set up to help pay for her two year treatment program. It’s not much, but when I cut and press and sew the fabric I pray. This raffle is one small way to extend that a bit, to help relieve the financial burden on her parents. The quilts both measure about 42” by 52” and they're backed with a super soft cuddle fabric, perfect for a little one or as a lap quilt on the couch. The pattern is by Sam at Hunter's Design Studio, and the mistakes in the quilts (there are a couple, don't look to closely!) are entirely my fault, not hers. The raffle quilt has a gray back and simple straight line quilting, and Rae's quilt has a hot pink back with custom quilting to highlight Rae's clothing and BB-8's shape as well as a swirly star background. Together we raised $1500 for Rae and I couldn't be more thrilled. I never imagined how much support Rey and BB-8 would find in my little online community. It's been truly heartwarming, especially in the midst of so much global tragedy, to hear from people from so many different circles in my life who all want to help ease the burden on Rae's family right now. Thank you so much for helping to make this donation possible. And finally, congratulations to an old friend, Cecelia Murgo who won the raffle quilt and is gifting it to her brand new great-nephew whose dad  loves Star Wars! 🧡 

sea and sky | a quilt for Silas

When an old college friend of mine commissioned me to make a quilt for her son when he graduated from a toddler to a twin bed I was simultaneously excited and nervous. I loved her ideas for the quilt but I'm always nervous about executing a project for someone else. Kristin sent me photos of the wall decor and rug in the room and sent screenshots from my blog and pinterest boards to show me the style of quilt she had in mind. We texted back and forth a lot as a I chose fabric and worked on the layout. We ended up deciding on a two sided quilt because we liked too many fabrics to rule any out! Both sides are pretty simple. My favorite side of the rectangle strips. I loved using special fabrics to feature little details like the candles, whales, and smiley suns. 

The reverse side (which Kristin prefers) is supposed to look vaguely like a mountain with the sky overhead and sea below. I created an ombre look with the blues to give it a deep ocean vibe and used a white constellation print for the sky. I quilted it with lots of random straight lines to keep the quilt soft and finished it off with scrappy binding using fabric I trimmed from the top. I brought it to the Jamestown Library for a little photo shoot the day before Kristin picked it up. My friend Ari and her daughter Sage were the perfect quilt holders - I love Sage's little gloved hand peeking out from the side of the quilt! 

 

a quilt for Luca

When friends from the gym I go to announced their pregnancy I didn't initially think of making a quilt for the baby because we're not that close and I thought it might be weird of me. Then I remembered that every baby needs a quilt and started sewing! I also remembered how much I valued everything people did for me when I had my babies, especially other moms. So I made the quilt and after Liz, Dante, and Luca were home recovering I texted her to ask what I could pick up at Seven Stars for them. Then I made a special delivery of lactation energy bites, cranberry nut loaf, and some pastries plus a quilt! Purl Soho's tiny tiles quilt pattern has never let me down! 

simple squares | a quilt for Leon

Our friends Olga and Cal are expecting their second baby any day now. I made a quilt for the first, a sweet girl they named Lucia, and I loved how simple and pretty her quilt turned out. I decided to make the same one for Leon but with colors inspired by his nursery, soft greens and tan. 

 

rainbows and sunshine | a quilt for Vada

 

Making this quilt was my escape from life for a week back in July 2020. Cutting out the pattern, cutting out the fabric, sewing (curves!), pressing, basting, quilting, binding, trimming. It was all meditative. My friend Rochelle is giving it to her soon-to-be-born niece and it makes me happy to think about a brand new baby girl snuggled up on a rainbow quilt. It truly is the little things that are getting me through lately. But the big things are still important! #wearyourmask #retrorainbowquilt [p.s. the lighting was really harsh in these photos because I was standing in direct sunlight and I didn’t edit them very well, whoops! I promise it doesn't give you an instant headache in real life.]