Vanilla Swirls

Meet another recent finish – the Vanilla Swirls quilt. 

If you remember way back or have trolled my archives, you may remember a WIP called Double Star Creams.  I started the quilt intending to use it on our bed.  I’d read somewhere that you should make a white quilt as your first quilt for your trousseau.  Obviously I’m a big history dork.  But that was back before I figured out some quilty things – my seam allowances were off, and the set-in seams weren’t easy.  So after some horrendous blocks and some okay blocks, it sat.  For years. 

Last year I finally figured out what to do with the poor quilt.  I made up several more blocks, decided I just needed to finish it, sorted through and picked the best blocks, and promptly turned it into a sweet, traditional, white quilt.  And for once, a great name popped in my head, turning Double Star Creams into Vanilla Swirls. 

The quilting stumped me.  I went on a basting binge one weekend and basted this quilt plus three other baby quilts I had waiting in the WIP pile.  It sat as I tackled the easier quilting on the other quilts.  I had three different ideas – baptist fans, straight lines surrounding the stars, or swirls.  I really loved the idea of the lines behind the stars.  I could see it in my mind, and it was a great effect.  But, since the quilt is a swirl quilt, I wanted to evoke that feeling.  My hang-up was mostly in that I’d never quilted swirls before.  And if you know me at all, I may look like I’ve got it together on the outside, but inside I’m a great big chicken.  *cluck, cluck* 

The other day, I finally decided I was doing this.  I’d watched YouTube videos, sketched, and read tutorials.  I propped up my Angela Walters book beside my machine and just started.  And it wasn’t too bad.  Lots of stopping to figure out where I was going or which way the next swirl should go, but not bad.  And I think the end result works.  It’s a soft, allover pattern that goes with the soft, cream colors.  I’m very pleased.  It almost makes me wish I had a baby and a sweet nursery to decorate.  Or an airy, all-white room where I could drape it over a chair to use during cool evenings. 

Toile and tan backing with binding from backing scraps

Vanilla Swirls is listed for sale in my shop.  

Linking up to Finish It Up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts.

Ranch Hand Quilt

My newest quilt finish, and the first since February – the Ranch Hand Baby Quilt.  

The fabrics are leftovers from the Sparkle Punch baby quilt made for my nephew – but without the Star Wars fabric.  I loved the color combo so much and had a bunch of extra squares, so I made up a simple patchwork quilt.  You may have seen progress pictures on Instagram. 

The quilt measures 36”x36”.  I backed it in this almost-vintage Alexander Henry print (from my mom’s stash, purchased when I was little) featuring cow hands and made the binding from the last bits of two of the feature fabrics.  

The quilting is organic straight line quilting on either side of all seams. 

I had a little fun with the photo shoot, digging out the rocking horse and dragging it to the edge of the hay field.  Pretty sure my neighbors think I’m nuts. 

Ranch Hand is listed for sale in my shop.