Annie's leaving home quilt




I finished Annie's leaving home quilt just in the nick of time. She is packing as I type and will be leaving on Saturday. Not long at all. I can't quite imagine not having her in the house and I'll miss her a lot (and not just because she is a good cook and sorts through our washed laundry). Best not to dwell. 

I spent ages combing the World Wide Web for images of quilts that Annie might like. As it turned out, I was mostly wrong. We do like very different things and it is difficult to shift mindsets. In the end, she decided on Indian summer quilt by SuzyQuilt. It is a free baby quilt pattern but I figured it would be easy enough to just add to it on all sides. The original fabric choice is quite different from what you see here, it included three reds. Once on my "design wall" (a large piece of wadding hanging on small wall in my study/sewing emporium), she decided that the reds were too bright and needed to be replaced with mellower shades. I have a small pile of orphaned red and white half square triangles, if you are interested. 

The pattern looks deceptively simple. I made many mistakes along the way, most discovered on the design wall before sewn together but not all. Looking at the finished quilt, it seems weird that I struggled so much with the unusual geometry. Not a pattern for a tired mind. 

For the back, Annie wanted a plain pale minty green. We visited a real fabric shop together to choose it. Mandors in town seemed even sadder than usual with shelves being half empty in the back section where garment fabric are sold. I am not sure if they are maybe planning to discontinue garment fabrics. The quilting fabric section was however as extensive as ever. I used up the last of the half square triangles for a bit of interest. 

Annie wanted the quilting to be invisible. I quilted along in the seam lines of the squares but not along the triangle seams. I used my new sewing machine for this and while it was still not a pleasure to do, it was much less tiring on the hands and arms than it would have been on my old machine. It is a powerful beast. Machine quilting is not my strength and it is always a bit wonky with slightly uneven stitch lengths, but it is more durable than hand quilting and better suited for a quilt that is used regularly. Also quicker!

I made the binding with scraps of the quilt. I still have quite a bit left of the fabric but I imagine they will find their way into future quilts, reminding me of Annie. 

I am not sure about the size of the quilt, I haven't measured it but it is held up by two twelve average height year olds in the first photograph, this should give you an idea. I essentially added rows and columns until Annie said to stop.

Annie doesn't want a label on her quilt, which makes me a little sad but she is well known for cutting labels off everything and I want bother stitching mine in. 

I hope this quilt will remind her of home. I am really happy with how the quilt turned out although of course we all know that my preferred colour palette is much more vibrant. I just finished another quilt that is more "me" but I can't show you that just yet because it is a gift. 

Thanks for visiting x


Comments

  1. A beautiful quilt and Annie will love and have memories later in life.
    So special 🙋‍♀️

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  2. It's absolutely lovely, well done you. But a bittersweet moment indeed. I have one more year of the oldest at home and I am already in a state about it. CJ xx

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  3. What a fine 'leaving' gift that she will likely have a cherish for the rest of her life.

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  4. It is absolutely spectacular. I do admire your talent. What a lovely gift for your daughter to take with her on the next stage of her life. (I think I would have sewn my name in a hidden spot for future generations to find)
    I always admire your sewing and creative abilities. Well done.

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  5. Looks terrific! Well done! Best of luck to Annie!

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  6. So thoughtful of you to make. Well done. Annie will cherish it♥

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  7. The best bit is the feet sticking out from under the quilt in the first photo!
    Seriously, it is gorgeous. I made a leaving home quilt for my daughter when she went off to uni and I know she snuggled under it when feeling a tad fragile. Made with love!

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  8. What a stunning quilt. I really love the minty green back with the row of squares. Annie will be the envy of the Halls of Residence and it will be a big quilty hug when she needs it. It takes a lot of adjustment when our babies fly the nest - I sobbed all the way home when mine went off to uni - but she will soon be home for Christmas and going to visit her will be exciting. Good luck tomorrow. xx

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  9. It is sooo beautiful and I know she will treasure it. I’m sure she must be excited about Saturday but I can feel your pain. Going to uni is such a big change in life. Cyber hugs from Jersey . B x

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  10. Beautiful work! You put so much time and care into it.

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  11. This is absolutely gorgeous - she’s a lucky girl having such a talented mother. My Kate leaving today (Saturday) as well to start her teacher training course. I’ve got used to having her around again as lockdown meant that she has spent the most of the last two years back here again. It’s tough seeing her off again. All the best to Annie as she begins her new life.

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  12. what a beautiful quilt, I am sure she will treasure it. x

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  13. Annie's quilt is beautiful especially as it was made with a mother's love. Truly something to treasure and be a reminder of home. I made a blanket for my daughter when she went off to university and she still has it in her own flat years later.
    Good luck Annie and hugs to you too Christina x

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  14. The quilt is so beautiful and I love the shades that Annie has chosen. Wishing her the very best in this new chapter of her life. X

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  15. Good luck to Annie and she is sure to think of you and home every time she uses this beautiful quilt, Christina.

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  16. It is a very sophisticated colour palette which I don't think I would have the skill to choose so she has a good eye. What do you think about making a label to mark the date of her leaving home and putting it in an envelope until a later year when she might want one on it to mark the occasion. You could keep it a secret and then hand it to her as a surprise when she has nostalgia about the chapter of her life? I am sure you will miss her terribly but keep a brave face and heart. Jo xxx

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  17. Christina I love the quilt! It is cheery yet calming at the same time. Hope you are doing ok without your lovely lass around, it’s always a bit tricky initially (as you will know) and then soon settles. Before you know it she’ll be home on Christmas break 🙂. Looking forward to seeing the next quilting creation once the recipient has received their gift ❤️❤️

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  18. A beautiful quilt and Annie will love and have memories later in life.

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Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment, I love to hear from you, I really do. I sometimes reply by email but I am not all that reliable... Christina xx

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