Sometimes it surprises me how long I have been “working” on a particular quilt. Thanks to cell phone photos and social media posts, I have a pretty good historical record of how many months (or even years) a project has been in progress. Do you find that to be true as well? Once a quilt is finished, I enjoy looking back at initial photos of my fabric pull or progress shots along the way. I am reminded of things I may have forgotten months later . . . like my mindset or reason for being inspired . . . or a weekend I set aside to sew on the project, possibly even with friends. Case in point, my recent finish: a patriotic version of the Picnic quilt pattern by Cluck Cluck Sew.
I bought the pattern several years ago because I thought it was a unique and fun design, different than anything I’d ever made before. I knew someday the right fabric would come along. (It turns out the right fabric was a mash-up of things in my stash!) One year ago in May, after I finished my beachy Stars & Stripes quilt, I posted to social media that I wanted to sew up the Picnic pattern using the same theme and colors. I snapped a photo of this fabric pull atop my Stars & Stripes quilt as inspiration.
One blustery weekend in autumn, I cut all the pieces for the quilt. On a frigid Saturday in January, I began sewing the blocks at a dear friend’s home. (She served us hearty soup for lunch and mimosas for fun. Now that is the way to have a sew day!) And one weekend in late winter, I was able to finish the top. Each step of the way, I have enjoyed making this quilt.
Now a year later, the quilt is complete and I love it! The Picnic pattern by Cluck Cluck Sew comes in SIX size options. I made the Lap size, which finishes at 51” x 68”. While this would make a perfect little lap quilt, as the name suggests, I also like it as a table topper.
As I was photographing the quilt, my husband commented on how pretty it was, and he agreed with me that we really should use it this way. What a festive table setting we could create for a July 4th holiday gathering! I admitted that I’d have to get over my fear of people spilling and slopping on my precious quilt (ha ha), but as he said, “We’ll just quickly throw it in the wash.” And of course he’s right.
After his comment, I also laid out my navy-blue placements and everyday white dishes. Sure enough, it is the start to a terrific tablescape!
So that will be a goal of mine . . . to let the quilts be quilts. I’m thinking of an Instagram friend who stores two of her beautiful quilts on their pontoon. They are working, boat quilts . . . meant to keep you warm on an evening boat cruise. I need to stop worrying about a quilt getting dirty and just let them be loved and used!
I’m afraid I’ve rambled on about my feelings today, rather than getting to the nitty gritty of this quilt, so I apologize for that. Here’s the fabric scoop: the fat quarters are a variety of prints from Moda designers Brenda Riddle, Sweetwater and Bonnie & Camille. For background and binding I used Moda’s Indigo Chambray. The backing fabric is the red ticking stripe from Sweet Liberty by Brenda Riddle. I have never used a ticking stripe as a backing fabric before, but I think it is fabulous!
The machine quilting was done by (you guessed it) Katy at Woods Edge Quilting. We used a panto called Diagonal Plaid. I love how it mimics the piecing.
Thanks so much for stopping by today, quilting friends! I hope you all find time to get carried away quilting!
~Taunja
Other recent patriotic finishes:
Simply Starry Pillow (free pattern from Carried Away Quilting)
Starry Way (table runner pattern by Carried Away Quilting)
Fat Quarter Flourish (mini quilt pattern by Carried Away Quilting)
Stars & Stripes (quilt pattern by Thimble Blossoms)
I’ve had that same pattern for years! I’d forgotten all about it. I too have been waiting to find just the right fabric. I’ll have to look thru my stash. I’m sure (make that I know) I have several fabrics that will work well together.
It was a really fun pattern to put together Mary! I don’t know quite how to explain it. It was very simple to follow, and yet it also felt a bit like a fun puzzle. I just thoroughly enjoyed it. There aren’t a ton of quilt patterns I would want to sew more than once, but this is one of them. Hope you enjoy it and find just what you are looking for shopping at home! 🙂
Love your new Picnic Quilt. So pretty and great idea! I am partial to red, white and blue things. Instantly I thought, how cute the pillow with the stars would make adorable placemats for your quilt when used as a table topper.😊 I picture it done in either navy and white solids or red, white and blue solids. Just an idea that popped in my head! I might have to give it a shot.
Oh My Goodness! Yes! That is a super idea!! If you do it, please let me know!
Absolutely gorgeous!!!!
Thanks so much Janet. I just love every one of the fabrics in this quilt. Fabric gushing to the max!
I really like how you use the chambray as background. I’m not sure myself about using as a tablecloth but who knows? It’s not so different from all the placemats I’ve made and used!!
I’m glad you mentioned that about placemats, Susan! That really makes me think I sure can do this with a small quilt. It’s not so different!
I love your Picnic quilt and your new quest to use and love quilts in daring to get dirty ways. Reading your blog is almost as good as a visit in person with you, my dear. I love getting Carried Away Quilting in many ways. 🤗
Oh my gosh Sylvia! I read your comment and missed you. AND it all of the sudden hit me that I typed you made us a hearty soup, but I meant to type you made us a hearty dish! I still remember how yummy it was! And I was thinking, you and Dan would definitely be a couple that would warrant a pretty quilt as a table cloth, because Dan would know EXACTLY how careful to be! We have our guys trained! ha ha!!
Wow! Thank you for all the info and pictures! I make a picnic quilt donation each year and this will certainly be my next one. It is just right and I have a great stash to get started.
That is wonderful! How good of you Phyllis!
I love your picnic quilt. It’s so pretty! I have to confess that I too used to be anxious about using quilts on the table…but I solved that dilemma by having a piece of glass cut to fit my tabletop. Now I put my quilts or toppers under the glass. They can be enjoyed by everyone, and I don’t have to worry about accidental spills! It was a win, win!
Gina! That is an awesome idea!! Thanks for sharing!
what a gorgeous quilt! I always love anything red, white, and blue, but adding that touch of floral was perfection!i used to have a hard time letting quilts get dirty and still do to a point. but the ones we used to drag around to ballgames are still holding up and still favorites.
Thanks Ruth! I also like the bits of floral. I think it softens everything up, as sometimes RWB quilts can get a strong or hard look, and I definitely like them soft. 😉 Ballgame quilts . . . another favorite that also holds many good memories!