Hello quilting friends! May I pop in quickly and share something that has put a spring in my step? My friend Ibby and I are always on the same quilty wavelength. We live a few hours away from each other, but we chat daily. It’s spooky how often we text each other and discover we have been admiring the EXACT same Instagram post or drooling over the same new fabric collection or pattern.
Recently, we each came across a custom fat quarter bundle by Morgan Kelly Quilts (on Instagram / Etsy), featuring lovely blue and green prints. Ibby and I each purchased a bundle and then pondered what we should make. After much excited brainstorming, we settled on a pattern called the Alabama Quilt by Joz Makes Quilts. Last year, Ibby and I took a trip to Gulf Shores Alabama with our hubbies, so this seemed like an excellent tribute to that great memory. The Alabama Quilt pattern includes instructions for several different sizes. We are both making the 72” square version, which calls for 16 fat quarters. Pictured below are some of the fat quarters from Morgan’s bundle that I purchased, with some of my own fat quarters mixed in. (Silly me, I started cutting before I remembered to take a fabric picture!)
At her home across the miles, Ibby is also mixing some of her own fat quarters into the Morgan Kelly bundle. Our Alabama quilts will be sisters, but not twins. Ibby also had the great idea that we use low volume fat quarters for the background fabric, rather than solid white. Here are some pictures of my prints all cut up and ready to sew. You can see the low volume prints at the top.
You know how much I love crocheting granny squares. A while back, I crocheted this granny square using some of my favorite Scheepjes Stone Washed yarn. I’ve pulled it out of my “random granny squares bin” because the colors looked so good with my fabric. After the Alabama Quilt is done, maybe I’ll make a coordinating pillow!
I am so excited to sew up this quilt. I’m working on a project with one of my best pals, and for years to come we’ll both have a quilt that reminds us of our friendship. Maybe this is something you can do with one of your quilting sisters. Be sure and let me know if you do!
Take care and get carried away quilting!
~Taunja
