No, really, this one

I recently posted the most dope baby boy quilt  have ever made.  In the year of baby boy quilts (5 and counting), the latest one I made has supplanted the previous one in dopeness…

I just absolutely love how it turned out.  This quilt is for very special friends, so I used my favorite fabric.. v and co ombre (in navy, lime, mint, gray, yellow, turquoise) and tim holtz dictionary fabric.   I am down to about 7 yards of that and am getting more than a little panicky.

I quilted the top and batting together and the tied the backing to the top and batting using Aurifil floss (I am such a name dropper !).  Tying takes so much more time than binding, but I love the effect so much more.  I think the quilts look crisper, drapes better, and seems a bit more modern.  This is probably all just in my imagination, but I like it better – you can’t stop me.

I finished this the night before it was mailed.  So my pictures aren’t the best.  But I know I’ll eventually get a gorgeous picture with a gorgeous baby on this quilt (hint, hint).

The quilt is a modification of a pattern that is free from purl soho.  I am addicted to purl soho.  More on that later.  If you make piece with the number of 1/2-square triangles you have to make, this pattern is a dream.  And I let go and let the blocks come together “organically”.  That was difficult for me, but the results speak for themselves, I believe.  If I were to write the pattern…

1.  Get some awesome prints and a ton of v and co ombre
2. Cut a bunch of squares the same size – I cut 200.*
3. Use the squares to make 1/2-square triangle blocks s until your eyes bleed.  Or until you have a 2:1 ratio of 1/2 square triangle blocks to squares.
4. Sew into a 10×12 grid.

* The pattern describes how to make 1/2-square triangles using 2 squares to yield 2 blocks.  I use 2 squares to yield one block because I think it is the only way for me to get my blocks square without spending my life squaring blocks.  BUT I do follow this one tip from Jenny at Missouri Star Quilt.  This method  takes a bit more time, but I think is worth it.  Now all I need is a machine that irons open the seams on 1/2-square triangles without needing me.  I’ll ask for that with my fourth wish.

I sew another seam 1/2 inch from the diagonal seam so I get a little baby block that I can use in a later project.  Because we all know I am not going to use all of those triangle scraps, no matter how much I try to convince myself.

I started sewing some of the extra blocks together – pictured above.  To the left of the cat… yes, I know the cat is cute, but there is some sewing in the picture too…yes, to the left of the cat.

For the backing, I got some more zoology.  I have spent a lot of hours looking for cute backings for baby boy quilts, and all that searching brought me back to zoology.  I had enough left over from projects to make a tote bag to donate to a local children’s hospital.  Next to it is another safari-type print from a quilt I made several years ago.  So adorable!

I loved the finished project of this quilt, and so I embark on making one for myself.  I have cut, cut, cut.  Now I am working on the 1/2-square triangles.