The folks where I live are eagerly anticipating the arrival of spring. Our snow has mostly melted, and the sun is sitting higher in the sky. Soon, our perennials and trees will begin to show their first buds. I’m happy to report that I’ve heard birds chirping happily when I take a walk in the crisp March air. Alas, as quilters we need to sew “out of season” if we want things to be completed in time for the coming season. So, I hope you will forgive me if I share a Christmas quilt today. I’ve finished my red and green Birmingham Special quilt top!
In February I shared some pictures of my chosen fabrics, all cut up and ready for a sewing weekend with friends. This pattern by Anna Dineen of Moda Fabrics is awesome; it comes together so quickly! I finished all of the rail fence and flying geese blocks during my sew weekend with dear friends, Carolyn and Sylvia. Carolyn hosted us at her lake home, which was quite a treat!
Then last weekend I sewed all the blocks together and added the borders. You will notice that I added a solid outer border, which was not part of the original pattern. I added it as I wanted my flying geese to really fly! Please pop back to my original post if you’d like to know more about my fabric selections.
I am so tickled with this quilt top. From the gorgeous traditional fabrics to the knowledge that Anna’s pattern design was inspired by an antique quilt in the Moda vault, my version of Birmingham Special makes my quilting heart happy! I am eager to send this off to be machine quilted. I’m already envisioning the quilting definition that will show up in the pinky-red Tilda woven I’ve used as my background fabric. The joys of quilting, to be sure!
If you are interested in making your own Birmingham Special quilt, the pattern is available at Fat Quarter Shop. They also have a kit available which features 1930s prints. It is darling!
Thanks for stopping by the blog. Have a great day!
~Taunja
Your quilt is gorgeous! I couldn’t picture the outcome when I saw the fabrics and the pattern. I sometimes have difficulty visualizing the outcome. But for a project that you said worked up so quickly, you have a beautiful result! You always choose the perfect fabrics!
Thank you so much Kam! It’s always a gamble when you throw caution to the wind! I’m really happy with how it turned out. I really wanted the whites to be part of the blocks and not be a “background,” so I was sure hoping that pinky red did the background trick. I think it turned out. 🙂
Love this Taunja! I saw the pattern recently at FQS and thought it would look nice in a Lori Holt line. Love your color-way and a chance to see other possibilities. Thank you! Susan
Susan you are so right! This pattern would look amazing in a Lori Holt line! You should do that . . .and keep us posted! 🙂
That quilt top is so pretty! I have an obsession with Christmas fabrics.
Oh I do too Patti! I do too! 🙂
Gorgeous quilt top!!
Thank you Connie! I appreciate that!!
I absolutely love just about everything you post!! 😍 And I love your version of the pattern for sure! 👏👏👏 super job!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Deb! Have a great week!