Way back in January, while on retreat, I sewed on a quilt for my neighbor and dear friend Diahann Lohr. She had purchased the fabrics with her “then to be” daughter-in-law Jess, with the intent of making them a wedding quilt. Di is an amazing graphic artist and website designer. I think she’d say she’s more of a quilter wannabe who doesn’t really have the time or inclination to complete the quilts that she desires. So this is the second quilt I’ve pieced together for her (click here to read about the first one).
Jess found the pattern online and printed it out, not realizing the directions were for a lap sized quilt that was to be made from layer cakes (packs of 40 pre-cut 10″ squares of coordinating fabrics). She chose not to use layer cakes for their king sized quilt, and this presented a bit of a problem. Can you imagine trying to figure out how much yardage to purchase in this situation? Well… the salesperson at JoAnn’s did just that. Keep reading to find out how well she did.
By the second day of retreat I had the blocks done (all 121 of them!) and I did a little “the blocks are done” dance around the room:
Then I began laying it out on the design wall. With only four main fabrics it was a bit tricky to get a balanced look. Praise God for the large design wall at Cattail Retreat!
Next came the 3/4″ finished sashing between all the blocks. I didn’t get that completed until a week after the retreat and the sashing really made everything pop. I put the top on my bed and sent a photo to Di and Jess. She decided she wanted a small border added.
At this point I need to share my thoughts about that talented mathematician at JoAnns. This is all the fabric I had leftover after making the quilt top:
The only thing she didn’t allow for was the additional border and the binding – which she wasn’t responsible for figuring out anyways. I am amazed that she could figure it out that closely – or maybe it was just luck 😁.
I put on the border and gave it to Di so she could pass it along to our friend Sue at Aunt Susie’s Longarm Quilting.
That was quite a while ago. Recently I realized I’d started this post, but never shared it with you. So I emailed Di and asked if I could have a photo of it on Jason and Jess’ bed. Di told me that every time she went to take the picture either the dog or a kid climbed up to jump on the bed 🤣.
I almost think I’d rather have a kid/dog in the photo ~ just for the fun of it ~ LOL!
So grateful the quilt is done ~ and for my sweet friend Di. She is a great blessing to me.
judy raddatz says
How nice of you to do this lovely quilt for your friend.
Meagen K. Flood says
I have that pattern sitting on my dining room table right now. I need to think about finding some fabric! Beautiful!
clkquilt says
I’m afraid I left out an important part – I was happy to sew the quilt top for my friend, and she insisted on paying me generously since I didn’t need any website work done. I will make sure I mention this in next week’s blog so everyone knows ~ and doesn’t think more highly of me than they should 😊.
Laurie Neubauer says
Chris,
Most delightful design and looks great on the bed. I’m guessing you had to add different blue border fabric to compliment the quilt and finish it. I agree it needed a border. You are a true friend to complete that King Sz quilt….Blessings, Laurie N.
Doris Rindfleisch says
So nice to hear a quilter of your caliber not mention JoAnn’s with derision as I so often have heard some quilters do. I am not a seasoned quilter and am learning that not all fabric is equal, but I have been very happy with some of the fabric I’ve found at JoAnn’s and, likewise, unhappy with some I’ve purchased from LQS’s.
MaryAnn says
It’s a beautiful quilt! I think I also have that pattern! I would love to learn how to do the math to increase the size and like wise purchase the correct amount of fabric.
Diahann Lohr says
Love this post Chris! Thanks for your beautiful work. As always, I’m amazed at your artistic skills in color combinations and arrangements! Jason and Jes love the quilt!