Hello quilting friends! I’m popping in today to show you a recent finish, my Happy Trails quilt featuring some favorite low volume prints from Fig Tree & Company. Happy Trails is just one of six fabulous patterns available in the Scrappy Project Planner by Lori Holt.
There are several reasons this quilt is special to me:
First, I took my time with it. Too often, quilt making becomes a rush due to deadlines. But this quilt evolved slowly. I ordered the Scrappy Project Planner from My Timeless Day back in November of 2017. I took my time learning what the planner had to offer, used it to get myself organized, and perused the patterns. A few months later I began selecting and cutting fabrics for the Happy Trails quilt pattern. I continued to work on it between other projects, whenever I had time.
Second, I sewed mostly from my stash. I often donate fabric to local churches, charities or friends. But there are certain fabrics I hang onto because I know I will be able to incorporate them into future quilts. That’s how I feel about most Fig Tree fabrics, especially the low volume (neutral reading) prints. It was a joy to cut from this stash of fabrics I’ve been collecting for several years.
You can see how nicely this quilt coordinates with another low volume project of mine, an over-sized orange peel pillow. There is just something about those soft Fig Tree prints that makes a person feel all cuddly and loved.
Third, I created my own personal vision for Lori’s pattern. Using the graph paper sheets in her planner, I set out to stitch up a quilt where the chain was the dominant color element and the squares were softer and secondary. Lori’s quilt is more colorful and has more energy than mine, but I like the soft, quiet feeling of my finished quilt. It’s good for each of us to employ a little creative license, and anytime adults have an excuse to color, that is a good thing!
Fourth, my Happy Trails quilt was finished in a lovely fashion by a dear lady and wonderful machine quilter, Starlit Bear of Starlit Quilts. Star and I selected an allover Baptist Fan pattern, and I absolutely love it. Star gave me some other options, but she gently nudged me in the direction of the fan, and I’m so glad she did. It has a wonderful texture, don’t you think?
While I’m happy to have my Happy Trails quilt completed, I’m also content with the more deliberate, slow moving journey of this quilt. Using the planner played a big role in that process. If you are interested in the Scrappy Project Planner, there are still a few in stock at My Timeless Day. Even if you only occasionally use the planning sections of the book, the patterns alone are worth the purchase. FYI: the planner is not dated, so you can use it for years to come!
Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I hope you all find time to get carried away quilting!
~Taunja
