Friday, December 26, 2008

Dad's Plaid Quilt

My big quilting accomplishment this year was a quilt for my Dad. He is the only one in my family that didn't have something I quilted especially for him and so it was his turn this Christmas. I had to make the entire quilt including the backing out of plaid fabrics because I have never seen my Dad in a shirt that was not made of plaid, except for church and funerals! (You can see the fabric purchase here and the mistake blocks here.) This is a photo of the correct way to sew a block! Each block is 12" so the quilt was 60" x 72" before the borders.
The pattern is from a class I took many years ago at Quilt University with Cindy Thury Smith. It is called "Tesselating Stars" and is one of my all time favorite quilts to make. I have made it several times in mini 3" block size, and have made a lap size for my nephew Alden (see other tesselating star quilts here).
I had to be careful about what I wrote on my blog about sewing this quilt because Dad told me in early December that he was reading my blog! I think he was very surprised with his quilt and I love surprising people on Christmas! On the right is a photo I took before the border decisions. Because I had lots of leftover 4.5" and 6.5" pieces from the block construction I decided to make a piano key border, which you can see a little of here. I put the 4.5" pieces on the sides and the 6.5" pieces on the top and bottom to make it a little longer.
I made a flannel backing so it would be cosy and warm to snuggle under and I quilted it very simply (in the ditch) on all vertical and horizontal seam allowances with my walking foot. Don't you love it when you are making such a large quilt and it finishes square on the corners and lays flat!?!
And here is my Dad with his new quilt (see that he is wearing a plaid shirt?!) Dad I hope you have many refreshing hours of sleeping under your quilt, with lots of happy dreams of how much you are loved by all your family!

12 comments:

Julie said...

What a lucky dad! He looks as if he loves it.

Paula, the quilter said...

Such a wonderful present. I'm sure he appreciated the labor and thoughtfulness of the gift.

Jean said...

I love how this one turned out. I want to try it this way, I have only ever done them using the same fabric for half, so looks like background.
You did a great job.

Julie Bagamary said...

Wow! That quilt is great!

Kathy said...

Very Nice quilt. I know your Dad was very happy to receive it.

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

It looks great. I really like the plaid!

sewnut said...

What a wonderful quilt and reason to make it. All the very best of the season to you and yours.....

Rhonda said...

Your dad looks very happy and what a wonderful gift made especially for his tastes. Great job!

Helen in the UK said...

What a smashing quilt for your dad. Bet he'll enjoying napping under that :)

Libby said...

It's just perfect . . . I love those plaids *s*

Quilter In Paradise said...

Love the quilt, Kathy! I haven't done anything with plaids yet,,, very intimidated by them..
If you want to do another,, send it my way!
Beth

Ginger Patches said...

Kathy I love it!! What a perfect quilt for your dad...how happy he must have been!