Diane at From Blank Pages is a talented designer with a couple dozen beautiful paper pieced designs, some of which you win if you link up each month with some Easy As ABC QAL blocks! Diane has just released her first full quilt pattern – Grandma’s Lawn Chair, and to celebrate, I’ve joined her blog hop to share it around and tell you about it.
It’s a fabulous 15-page pattern full of tips and suggestions and instructions to make your very own quilt in either a baby, toddler or lap size quilt, including how to successfully use directional prints or different cuts of fabric (from fat eighths to yardage). It’s also full of colourful, clear illustrations to help us visual learners, plus just like mine, a colouring page to help decide fabric placement! It’s very quick to chain piece, and you can definitely adapt the size to suit your needs – use a jelly roll, or add more rows or columns. I chose to make the baby size for 100 Quilts For Kids, but it turned out to be an emotional make…
I started this quilt last week, with the plan to add it to the pile of baby quilts to be sent to friends in Kenya to be used at their hospital which I’m slowly adding to so as to send a bunch at once. Then over the weekend, the terrible terrorist attack at Westgate mall in Nairobi happened – only a couple of hours from their house and a place they frequent often. To be finishing this quilt off while knowing the horror was still happening so close to my friends and the hospital was a very emotional time. When sewing things for others, I will pray for the recipient as I go. This time, all I could pray was for peace and hope to be restored. So instead of waiting until I have several baby quilts (which will still take some time!), I will be sending this one as soon as possible. I just can’t not.
Back to the quilt and blog hop… this was such a fun quilt to make! I knew as soon as I got the email and saw Diane’s baby rainbow quilt version, that I wanted to make a rainbow one too. I chose warm colours for the verticals, and cool colours for the horizontals, and it was actually the first time I experienced the joy of having a small-but-well-rounded stash to pull the perfect prints from! I can thank the Color Me Happy club at Sew Lux Fabric for a big part of this, forcing me to stash colours I don’t usually buy. Included in the mix is Summersville Spring, Cuzco, Sun Prints, Comma, Brrr, Simply Color and Simply Style, Apple Jacks and Hullabaloo binding. I had a metre of this Parklife gingham from Spotlight stashed from two years ago – can you get anymore perfect that a multi-coloured weave print long stashed away for a backing?!
I started out doing big loopy FMQ across the cool rows, then long scribble back and forth on the warm rows, before deciding the loops were all wrong and picking it all out to repeat the long scribbles back and forth. I briefly thought about leaving it because “it’s just a charity quilt” but then I mentally slapped myself – if anything, it should be my best! Of course, I spent more time unpicking than I did re-quilting and machine binding it!
Diane has provided a free PDF copy of the pattern for one lucky reader! Just use the Rafflecopter widget to enter and one random winner will be announced on Saturday 28th September.
UPDATE: You must click Enter on the Rafflecopter widget as well as comment to be entered! Rafflecopter will randomly pick a winner from those who have clicked Enter on the widget.
You can also enter another giveaway that includes some fabric at Diane’s blog, or buy the pattern now for 10% off* from Craftsy or Etsy!
*no coupon necessary, until the end of the blog hop
Paula says
I’d love to make an ombre version of this quilt with purples and reds or teals and oranges. You have made a beautiful quilt for your friends’ hospital and I’m sure it will be very much loved. Praying for peace there.
Margareth says
I would use soothing greyish greens and blues.
marjorie says
Lovely quilt….I think I would make it in blacks and yellow. maybe a little white in there….
Lizzie says
You’re right, you just can’t not send it now. Peace and prayers to you and your loved ones as well.
melissa says
I would definitely use pastel colora!
Michelle Smith says
I would love to make this in jewel tones–would be gorgeous!
Rita says
My thoughts and prayers are with all victims of these senseless acts, all around the world. There are far too many deaths.
I’d love to make this quilt using a two or three colour layout.
Theresa says
Beautiful people, story and quilt. Thanks for sharing!
Bonnie Larson says
I think the quilt would look wonderful in brights or batiks. Thanks so much for sharing.
VickiT says
I think maybe some different shades of purples and lime greens would look good and what I’d probably use.
Elli says
Teal and red-orange. Thank you for the giveaway
Cindy F says
I love the idea of using rainbow colors for this quilt.
Ms Midge says
Beautiful quilt Alyce! And a great place to send it to. I love your quilting 🙂
Cecilia says
I would like to make it in rainbow colors. I love the look of your quilt.
Paula says
Perfect decision to send it right now! and a lovely pattern! Rainbow colors is the go, without a doubt!
Sandy A in St. Louis says
I would love to make this using my stash of 30’s repros. I think it would be adorable!
DeborahGun says
A gorgeous quilt Alyce, and a really touching post. I love that you pray for the recipient as you make a quilt – I am going to start doing that now too.
Audrey says
I may sound broken record-ish here, but pinks!!! But then, that’s my default answer to any new quilt’s color scheme. 🙂 But I love your version, so I’m tempted to go rainbow, you see.
Lisa McGriff says
I’m really into fall colors right now so I think I would use oranges, yellows, reds, browns and maybe olive green.
Lisa Marie says
Grey, black, white and bright yellow.
Rhonda Desgranges says
Love your quilt. Praying for those involved in this horrific act. I have a ton of 1930s repro prints, and I
would use them for this quilt. Thanks for the chance to win.
wigglypup2(at)yahoo(dot)com
Jeneta says
Grey, oranges and light blues. I love your quilt Alyce – such a lovely thing that you are doing. Two of my children have pen pals in a home for children north of Nairobi. While we know they are completely safe due to the distance, our hearts still leapt when we heard of the terrible attack. I add my prayers to yours.
Janice says
I want to do it in bright primary colors. Want to see it pop.
Alice Ronne says
I would just love to make it with batiks . Maybe purples, greens and a touch of hot pink!
Margaret Schindler says
I would love to make this in aqua and reds. Thanks for sharing
Mary on Lake Pulaski says
I would love to make this in turquoise, orange and grey!
Ellee says
My quilt will be a rainbow of tropical-colored batks. Not sure yet the background color — maybe dark blue or dark green for good contrast.
Becky Coyle says
White and all brights! Love the pattern. Rcoyle at olemiss dot edu
Lou says
I think scraps would be great for this quilt with either grey or white as the squares. Too cute!
shirley tener says
teals and low volumes as I remember the chairs being, making it very personal. sorry for your sorrow, Your doing the right thing with the best heart. I pray for peace and love for all
Carla G says
I’d make one with ocean colors – teals, aquas, turquoise with a grey background. Thanks for a chance to win! 🙂
Nupur says
I’d love to make a version in orange and teal, and I love your grey background!
Shauna says
I think it would be wonderful in orange/brown/cream….I’m in a fall mood
Gill says
Such a great pattern – I’d love to make one in rainbow colours!!
Lori Smanski says
I would love to try it with bright solid colors from Kona
Sandra Timmons says
I just love Grandma’s lawn chair. I would probably choose to make the quilt in black and white or maybe using 3 different shades of blue. Blue, of course, is my favorite color. Yes, I can definitely see myself making this quilt. Maybe for me; maybe not. Thank you for the chance to become your winner.
Sandi Timmons
sandit1@sbcglobal.net
Nita says
I think it would look good as a low volume quilt.
Katy says
I would use purples and greens 🙂
Jan says
I think I would use bright rainbow colors and low volume text prints for the background. Prayers to your friend in Nairobi.
Karen says
Different shades of blue, green and orange!
Carmen says
I want to make this using the colors of my daughter’s room – white background with accents in bright pink, lime green, navy blue and aqua
Lynne Tilley says
I think I’d use pastel colors for a baby quilt.
Melissa says
Oh, Alyce, this quilt is beautiful and so is the pattern. Thank you for sharing! Even with the turmoil at least you know your quilts will be dearly loved and needed. I would make a colorful quilt with this pattern. It truly makes me think of lawn chairs. 🙂
Linda Pawlak says
I would love to win this pattern. Thank you for the chance!
Tanya says
Cute quilt. Thanks for the giveaway!
cindy oneal says
love the basket weave. a pattern would make getting it made so much more efficient.
Kim M says
I can’t wait to make this quilt! I definitely love the rainbow look!
Vicki H says
I would love to make one in greens and purples.
Sandy K says
I think rainbow colors would be awesome to make. Thanks for the chance.
Lisa E says
I would choose turqouise, grey, black, and white. Thanks for the chance!
Michele T says
I would definitely use bright rainbow colours!! Thanks for the chance, I love this pattern! Your quilt turned out amazing!!
SewCalGal says
I’m also heartbroken to hear about the terrorist attack in Nairobi. My heart aches for those impacted, as well as those of us who watch in horror and sadness.
Beautiful quilt. Looks like a super fun quilt to make.
SewCalGal
http://www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com
Jenni says
If I did this quilt I’d definitely do a rainbow of colors – I love how it just kind of fades from one shade to the next. A lovely quilt!
Nancy Matheson says
I think red white and blue would be perfect!
charlotte m. says
The more I see, the more I love this pattern. So many choices for fabrics to make it out of. Great pattern.
Marisa says
I’d make one with blues, greens, and yellows. I love the gray background on this one!!
Pam T. says
I’d use shades of teal and orange, I love your baby quilt!
Patty says
I would like to make it in a rainbow of colors using the cools and warm colors as the quiltmaker did.
Jan says
I’m thinking Christmas fabrics!
Kathy E. says
I love this pattern! If I were to make it, I’d choose the colors of my bedroom: burgundy, gold, sage green and a touch of black. It would be beautiful!
Sherry VF says
Gingham might look great for this quilt. Thanks for the giveaway. Prayers for all of Kenya.
Nesta says
I would love to try it with different shades of grey on a white background.
Southern Gal says
I’d use Scrumptious by Bonnie and Camille for this lovely quilt. Thanks for the chance.
Lindsey@HappierThanABirdQuilts says
How scary for them! This world we live in….sigh.
I love your version! It is such a fun pattern.
SarahZ says
I have never made a warm/cool quilt, and yours looks so great…I would try to use what I have…maybe spring for more pearl bracelets 🙂
Rose Smith says
I’d love to make this quilt in bright, happy rainbow colours.
jane d says
I would make it with purples!
Brenda Hulsey says
I would love to have this made in fall colors! Great pattern!
Cassandra says
I’m not sure what specific color I would use but definitely something bright and cheery.
I didn’t know that there were charities for giving away quilts. I love that idea.
Trish says
I think I would use reds and aquas! I love this pattern 🙂
Becky/Quilting Booklady says
Red, black, white and grey would be my choice. Looks like a fun quilt to sew!
Shari says
I like the rainbow version, but I’ve been wanting to make an orange and grey quilt for some time so would love to try that.
Joan H. says
I am very fond of pastel colors and I think that suits this lovely pattern especially well.
Tonya says
I can imagine this one in brights – maybe kids novelty prints – with a crisp white background – one of my favourite colour combos ever!
Rebeckah says
Lime green and aqua
Jodie says
I like how the rainbow of colours looks in yours and the pattern photo, so I think I’d go with a bright rainbow of colours 🙂
Carolyn Rushworth says
Wow…what a wonderful quilt and pattern! And so sad the devastating things that happen 🙁
Carolyn Rushworth says
Oops! And being the blues girl I am I would tend to think of blues first, however I am busy collecting fabrics for a dear friend of mine and she likes purples so blues or purples!
Karrie Smith says
either primary rainbow prints or pastel rainbow prints?
Jocelyn says
I think this would be pretty in blues, aqua and greens. Thanks so much for the giveaway!
michelle says
In my daughter’s favorite colors…hot pink, purple & orange!
Shawn J says
Ummm I think maybe something bright and cheery. I love the fabric on the back of your quilt.
smjohns63 at yahoo dot com
Tiffany says
I love it done up in rainbow colors, and can always pull some rainbow colors from my stash to make this. It think it’d also look good in black, grey, whites and a bold color, maybe red?
Sallie says
I love the gingham that you showed, so I’d use a rainbow of gingham. Thanks for the giveaway!
Margaret Parks says
I think blues & yellows would be pretty.
Yvonne Campbell says
I love the colors you have going on in yours. Maybe something like that with a bit more pattern. Thank you for the opportunity.
sew surprising says
Oh colour options for this would be endless, some text fabric would be fun 🙂