A couple of years ago, Erin (Miss Crayola Creepy) pinned a fabric on Pinterest that stole my heart.
It was “Charras” by Alexander Henry, and I finally decided to buy a few yards for a quilt. With an ever changing plan, I went to my local fabric store to get some coordinating fabrics, and I left the store with a completely different color scheme than when I’d gone in. Here is the result:
The pattern is inspired by Navajo blanket designs, specifically from a saddle blanket I have lying around the house. I used this tutorial to make flying geese blocks, and then I just played around with the pieces to make the bottom two designs. The diamond shaped blocks are made using bias cut strips.
I quilted the blanket in straight (sort of) lines.
The quilting part was definitely awkward with so much blanket to feed through the machine, but it got easier as I went. I didn’t have a walking foot, and there are lots of wrinkling spots where the fabric is pulled a little. After washing the quilt though, the whole thing seemed to fluff up a bit, and I love the way it looks. The wrinkles seemed more fluffy and less obvious. It may not be perfect, but I love it anyway. Mostly I just love the fabrics and enjoy looking at them.
The back is pieced together with a leftover strip of flying geese blocks. I had at one point planned to use four strips of that particular block pattern, so I had made a lot of extra flying geese. It worked out… I like the back almost as much as the front.
I liked attaching the binding and making mitered corners.
Sewing the blocks and strips can be a bit tedious, so I’m glad I went with a simple pattern that came together quickly (before I lost interest!) I’m already planning another simple quilt. The planning and math that go into a quilt design is quite fun and very different from garment sewing. It’s a good change of pace.
Right now I’m finishing up a few Christmas gifts, and hopefully I’ll be sewing an Archer this month too! And just as soon as possible, I’m planning to make a winter coat. It’s gotten quite cold here in Texas this week (below 30), and I wish my coat was already done!!
What are you working on this month?
the Garment Farmer 