This quilt started over a year ago as one of my first quilting projects after my husband bought me Ellie. I thought I was so clever making a transport quilt for my transport-loving son! And then I found out it’s called an I-spy quilt. But hey, still proud of it! It eventually was tucked away in a WIP pile of pieced blocks, but I continued collecting various transport fabrics as I found them – Spotlight, local quilt stores, fabric swaps. When packing up to move to Japan, I had to bring it all with me so I could finally finish it for him so he could actually use it! And I’ve been able to add more fabric to the range too with some Japanese fabrics, especially the shinkansen (bullet train) one!
To make my original pieced blocks fit, I trimmed them to 5″ tall and cut 5″ charms out of all the other fabrics. I then laid them all out on our dining table which was the pefect size for the quilt as well as being kind on the back. I had a very specific size top to make – it needed to fit the backing.
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| You can see the quilting – in the ditch around the border and 1/4″ either side of the row seams |
I bought this at the Craft & Quilt Fair last year – I saw it and knew it was the perfect backing for this quilt! Not only was it about the right size for a toddler quilt, but hello, car mat map?! So I needed to make the quilt top fit the backing. Once I had laid it all out and sewn it together, I decided that for once, this non-quilt-border girl would actually add a border. Partly to bring it up to size, partly to tame the busy-ness of the quilt top. And hey, it meant a trip to the fabric store. What. A. Shame.
This light grey transport fabric was perfect – calm grey with more trucks and buses and cars and emergency vehicles! I also decided that seeing how my borders were plenty big and I was making this quilt back to front anyway to suit the backing, why not bring the borders around to the back for the binding?! That and I didn’t know what else to use from my stash and time was running out to get it done for today!
Both kids loved it so much as I was making it. It seems my daughter has caught the transport bug from her brother! It is most definitely my son’s quilt, but I think he might have to share it at times. And despite it being summer here, it of course has had to be used – thankfully last night wasn’t as hot as it has been over the past month!And that’s the first ticked off my FAL list!
**GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED**
And before we get to the linky, I have a little giveaway for you. I have a bunch of leftover transport fabric, so I’m offering a set of 5″ charms to one lucky reader! You will get 2 charms of each print, plus a few more bits and pieces. This giveaway is open to everyone and the winner will be announced next Wednesday (JST)! Just leave a comment on this post, any comment.
momhooten says
I’d love to win your charm squares to make a quilt for my grandson.
Laura says
It’s gorgeous and the border and backing fabrics are perfect! I’m not entering the giveaway but i do love that quilt! Have you seen the Don’t Look Now Peak Hour collection?
Barbara Woods says
i could use them in a boy quilt thanks for the giveaway
Waverlee says
I love it! My Master 2 would also love this. The border fabric is perfect. Thanks for the giveaway. I’m stashing I spy charms to make Master 2 an I spy quilt so I would love to win 🙂
Happy Cottage Quilter says
These charm squares are so cute. And I have a little nephew who would love them in a quilt. His Dad is a truck driver 😉
Nicole says
Alyce, your I-Spy quilt is so cute! I love that you chose a theme. It must have taken a long time to collect all those fabrics. The backing is perfect!
I’d love to win the charms! I too am collecting for an I-spy quilt.
kristy rogers says
i woulsd love to make an i spy like this for my little guy! gorgeous fabric choices alyce!!
made by ChrissieD says
Your quilt is beautiful, a real treat for any child and I’m not surprised both of your children love it 🙂 Great giveaway too!
Kristy QP says
Gorgeous quilt! I love the car mat as the backing fabric – what a fab idea. No wonder this quilt was a hit with the kidlets! Fabulous!!
Lara from Luellabella says
I adore this quilt – how perfect for your gorgeous boy. I am collecting i-spy prints in the hope that one day I’ll have enough to do a huge queen-size quilt (one day, as in – before I have kids!). x
Gill says
Fabulous quilt! and the back is just perfect!
My son would love one of these!
Captain StitchyPants says
That is a most awesome quilt 🙂
Sarah says
Your quilt looks great! Thanks for sharing!!
sjtoby(at)yahoo(dot)com
The Thompsons says
Oh my gosh- that is seriously such an adorable quilt!! I love it!
Wendy says
I absolutely LOVE your quilt! I’m dying to make an i-spy quilt for my nephew, but can’t find any UK based i-spy swaps!
Tanya says
I love the backing, what a great idea!
Jessica says
With 2 boys transport fabrics are definately my thing! Put me in the draw please!
Pattilou says
What a perfect quilt for boys! I love your charms and the gray fabric for the border. …and the backing is soooo perfect!
jmniffer says
Super idea for a transport loving little boy (or girl!). Thanks for the chance to win your extra charms.
Laura says
Thanks for the chance to win, my son loves all things transportation 🙂
Second Chance Tan says
ooooo oooooo ooooo these fabrics are fantastic – I would love to win and make some cool stuff for the kids xx
Lisa Marie says
My son loved cars and trucks when he was little and I made him a quilt with a fabric very similar to your backing fabric. Now I like to make things like that for my young nephews. Thanks for sharing!
Liz DandeliondD says
I would really love to win these charms, as I am about to embark on my first i-spy quilt soon and these fabrics would be the perfect addition to it.
Thanks for a super giveaway. xxx
Lynne Tilley says
My oldest granddaughter would love that fabric with the little roads! I must find some of this! Her favorite movies are Cars and Cars2. Fantastic quilt!
Janice says
That quilt is SO cute! You are right, the back is so perfect 9and multi-functional!) and the grey for the border is a great choice!
shawn says
I would SO love to win that fabric! I have 2 young grandsons and they would a quilt or something out of that. Pick ME!!! I love the quilt you made with it too. I Spy quilts are very fun 🙂
Judee says
That is one wonderful quilt! Love those fabrics!
applepiepatchwork says
I love that quilt! I actually have that backing fabric, and I used it make a playmat for my son. My daughters use it all the time too though!
Alisa says
What a lovely quilt! That’s a fantastic top for that backing: no wonder the kids love it!
Gemma@prettybobbins says
Oh Alyce, I LOVE this quilt!! My boys would go bananas over it 🙂 You’ve obviously spent a long time thinking about fabrics, I love how busy it is without being too over the top. It’s just perfect! I am crossing all of my fingers and toes for the leftover charms 🙂 Well done, and so many people linking up for TGIFF, yay!
Fiona @findingfifth says
I think this is the best ‘transport quilt’ I have seen – I would be so proud of it Alyce. Well done for the clever binding. I am NOT entering the giveaway as my boys are older now and would rather a ‘Star Wars’ quilt.
moonlightsewing says
Oh, yes. I just HATE when I’m FORCED to go to the fabric store in order to finish up a project. Too bad for you. What a fun quilt!!
Goldogmom says
My DD and her DH are newly pregnant and I’d love to win these transport blocks and make an ispy quilt for them.
thank you for the chance to win!
Michelle
Debbie says
Wow that is a really cute quilt! I think any kid, boy or girl, would love the quilt.
Heather says
That is SO adorable! Love, love, love it! 🙂
JanetK says
What a great quilt! I haven’t made an I spy quilt yet, but always think they are the BEST for a baby!
Nima Titus says
wow…that’s a lovely playmat quilt..Please don’t add me for the giveaway draw…i wanted to put a comment here because i’m visiting you for the first time…and thank you for the linky party…i have linked my post here. I would love to link your blog from mine with a TGIFF button, but i didn’t see one…am i missing something…so nice to be here…Thank you.
Nima Titus says
oops…i saw your blossom heart quilt button…will link you using that…thank you
Homemaker Honey says
These fabrics would make a super cute quilt for my three year old nephew!
Deborah
homemakerhoney @gmail .com
sewfrench.com says
That is an adorable playmat! I am forever trying to come up with cute *boy* ideas. This is a great one. Well executed, Alyce. Thanks for hosting!
loritfrench@comcast.net
Lucy @ Charm About You says
That is a fabulous quilt for your son and I know mine would love some transport action!!
Sorry I had no finish to link up this week but well done to you 🙂
Julia says
I love your “Transport” quilt. It is just what any little boy would love. Great job! Thanks for the chance at the charms.
jonquil says
Awesome job and would love to win the charms to make a quilt for my 2 year old who loves anything with wheels 🙂
lynaeve says
Thank you for the chance!
Beth says
My son would love something made out of these! Thanks for the giveaway! bethfouche at hotmail dot com
Margie says
I love your quilt!! I know I will have to make my little grandson a quilt with Thomas and trucks soon and so would love to win the pack – thanks for sharing!
annmarie says
What an absolutely wonderful quilt. Totally unique & so creative. I would love to win your leftovers – I’ve been collecting boy related fabrics for a year now to make my nephew an I-Spy. Thanks for the chance.
Elisabetta says
I’d like to win these for my big boy =)
the contest open to everyone means you can ship international?
thanks for the chance
Richard Healey says
I love the charms and charm quilt you made would love chance to win.
Anonymous says
absolutely love it, love the bright colors 🙂