Happy July!! I made this quilt as a tester when I was writing my Simplify pattern, and thanks to my big kids being at "cousin camp" last week, I had some time to finish it up!
The fabrics are Cotton and Steel, mostly a selection of these whimsical prints from the line Spectacle with a few prints from my stash thrown in. The background is Kona cotton in Pewter.
I had a really old cut of double sided minky in the perfect color to back this with. It's so soft and slippery it can be a pain to work with, but nothing a big can of basting spray and a few pins can't tame.
I started quilting this with random free motion...without any plan or thought to the design. A few blocks in I panicked that I had ruined the quilt (it looked like a spiky hot mess), but I pressed on, and after I was finished I actually kind of liked it.
I call this design "spiky-hot-mess-no-plan-quilting". The fluffy minky makes it look kind of cool on the back. Let's pretend it was intentional.
Because I know I'll get asked, yes I used batting, and here is a post I did years ago about basting and quilting with this double sided minky. Sometimes I skip the batting or use a piece of flannel, but I love the weight with batting after it's washed.
The pattern for this quilt is the crib size of Simplify...still at the top of my favorite patterns to make!
Little Quiltsong
Beautiful - and awesome quilting!! You did it beautifully!!
Allison
Thank you!
Sue H
I love the brights with the gray background. Always a winner in my book.
Kathleen Boden
I like everything about the quilt. Did you do the quilting on a domestic machine? The binding is nice and bright too.
Allison
Thank you! Yes I quilted it on my regular sewing machine. :)
Rebecca Barlow
Beautifully done! The quilting looks great! How can the name of this quilt be even better than the actual quilt itself? It is!
Rebecca Barlow
Also...I want it! Give it to me! JK. I should probably lay off the sugar. ;)
Allison
LOL! You and me both! Thank you!
rl2b2017
Hi Allison,
I love the name of your quilting pattern . . . and especially how it turned out. I think I could do that, too! It was definitely intentional, or at least it looks like it. I have been scared to use minky - but you may be encouraging me without even knowing it! Happy Tuesday! ~smile~ Roseanne
Allison
Definitely give minky a shot! Just baste it a bit extra than you normally would and go slow...it's actually not hard at all!
Corie Greene
Love everything about this quilt: it is fun, colorful and the quilting is fresh and funky! Just adorable! I just finished a quilt with a minky backing and it was my first...it wasn't double sided but I found it not too bad for slipping or shredding/pilling...so relieved! Anyway, I would definitely do it again. Love your quilt...so sweet! I may have to put this one on my list for one of my grandsons!
Allison
I'm so glad you found minky easy-ish to work with! They are the quilts my kids use the most!
Christy Leonard
ok, I have a question... for the quilting-what color thread(s) did you use for top and the bobbin? I feel stupid sometimes not knowing the best thing to do
thanks
Allison
For this quilt I matched the background fabric and used a light gray thread I already had...and the bobbin was white (because I was too lazy to change it). The thread disappears into the minky so you can't see it anyways. :)
Helen LeBrett
Love this quilt, and I love the quilting: The spikey, hot mess doesn't look like a hot mess after all! I like it! I"ll have to remember that one when I'm doing a boy's quilt! Hugs, H
Carla Kennedy
Awesome quilt and I love the spikey hot mess as you say quilting.. I've sewn with minky only a couple of times and I've had issues because of my inexperience. thanks for sharing this quilt with us
Allison
It does take a bit of practice but I always love the result! Thanks for visiting!
Anne
Allison, thanks for being so generous and helpful to all of us. I love your patterns and you have caused me to break my resolution not to buy more patterns--can't help myself with your great designs.
Allison
What a sweet compliment Anne...I promise not to make you break your resolution again at least for a little while!! ;)
Marian Stever
Hi Allison! Your quilts make me happy!!! I especially like Baby Sophie's Hourglass pink quilt. So lovely. Keep on keepin' on! You are so inspiring!
Patricia Charles
Hi my name is Patricia. I have just subscribed. Thank you for your inspirational thoughts and helping me see that quilting is fun, if you let it. I have only just started just over a year ago and love it.
Jennifer Davis
Thank you so much, Allison, for sharing your beautiful quilts! My mom and I have been quilting together for a several years now. We just finished making quilts for all of the grandkids-6 total. Each quilt is a different pattern, and your Simplify pattern was hands-down our favorite! It went together beautifully and looks stunning! Thanks again!!
Allison
Oh wow that's so fun! What an amazing gift for all the grandkids!
Kendall
Your blog is one of my favorites. I’ve had a lot of trial and error since I started quilting almost 11years ago. I’m mostly self taught through tutorials and YouTube.
Hettie Pringle
Finally finished my Simplify quilt. Loved every moment of the process.