Today’s my day to share my favourite Kate Spain project! While I have used Kate Spain fabric for a lot of things, including Ornamental, A Very Merry HST BOF (which I must admit to still being a top and not quilted yet!) and few different bits and pieces, my current favourite is my most recent finish – Koufuku (koh-who-koo).
Made entirely out of Good Fortune, this quilt was one of the first I started planning. In fact, it was one of the first designer fabrics I ever bought – a fat quarter bundle with a half yard for the binding and yardage for the backing.
I started it about 18 months ago back in Australia, originally making a 3×4 block layout, with the fifth row being for the back. But when I finally pulled it out here in Japan to finish it, I decided it needed to be longer so as to properly cover my toes when snuggling under it on the couch so I added the fifth row to the bottom. Ideally it would be another row wider too, but by this point I had already destashed some fabric to friends and wouldn’t have enough to do 4 more blocks. So it’s a perfect single-snuggle lap quilt instead of a double snuggle, but oh well, I’ll just have to make another in time for winter, right?!
I quilted each block in a different design, alternating between straight-line FMQ designs and curvy FMQ designs. Each pattern is inspired by different Japanese patterns, including gingko leaves, sashiko designs and a chrysanthemum – the seat of the Emperor is called the Chrysanthemum throne, it’s on the back of the 50 yen coins, it’s the royal seal and even features on the front of Japanese passports.
The backing I was thus a bit short on, but I literally scraped through by adding in those three leftover block parts to float in the middle. The only fabric remaining from the backing is the trimmings from squaring up the edges post-quilting!
The name, Koufuku, is Japanese for happiness/prosperity, very similar to the concept that “Good Fortune” conveys. And is not read as it is written: koh-who-koo – the ‘wh’ being a very soft, almost a breathy ‘fw’ sound.
This quilt has been well-loved over the past couple of weeks, despite the warming weather. Sometimes you just need a little quilt cuddle! I’ve even found the first couple of food or coffee stains, which makes this perfectionist take a deep breath and then smile that this quilt is being well-loved and used.
Have you made anything with Good Fortune? Link it up! Or any other Kate Spain fabric for that matter! I’m having a wonderful time making my way through all your gorgeous creations and Pinning them to the blog hop Pinterest board. I can’t wait to see what you link up at the end of the month! And don’t forget, if you have a question for Kate, ask her here!
Heidi Staples says
This is a great quilt, Alyce! I think Good Fortune was one of the first Kate Spain lines I ever bought too!
LisaW says
The colours in your quilt are beautiful! I wish I could see a close up shot of some of your stitching…the patterns sound lovely.
btw – I totally get the quilt snuggling thing in summer…there’s something about the weight upon you that is totally comforting.
Sooli says
What a pretty quilt! I find the airconditiong gets a bit too cool for me in summer but my hubby is still hot so a quilt is perfect to keep my cold toes happy!
Actually Amy says
I have been waiting for you to share this quilt! I love love love good fortune, but you already knew that.
And I love love love your quilt!
Cecilia says
Very pretty! Thanks for sharing.
Deborah says
Yay – you finished it – it is wonderful 🙂
Gina says
Beautiful finish and photos!!
Nilya says
Like this random looking pattern! Lovely quilt!
barb says
do you have a pattern for this beautiful quilt? babscorbitt@gmail.com
ChristaQuilts says
I love the quilt – and I love the garden behind it 🙂
Lou says
Beautiful quilt!
A well loved quilt is the best!
Nita says
I love Kate Spain and I don’t own any of it! Not one scrap! But following along with this blog hop, I’ve decided to make a hexi quilt for my niece using Kate Spain. Now I just have to buy some and get sewing!
Mara says
Great quilt!
Janice @ Better off Thread says
It’s so beautiful and cheery. I love how the different sized squares look random at first, but they aren’t. I love using my quilts all summer.
Jessica says
So pretty! I especially love the back!
hafza says
My WIP project is also using the Good Fortune fabric of Kate Spain too. It is the first Kate Spain fabric that I’ve bought! Lovely finishes:)
Vroomans' Quilts says
Thank you for sharing your pretty quilt.
Gemma@prettybobbins says
It’s a lovely quilt Alyce and I’m glad you decided to make it a little larger 🙂 It’s always important to have more snuggling room! I’m still hoarding my Good Fortune FQ bundle 🙂