Out to Sea Quilt

Happy Local Quilt Shop Day!  How fitting is it that this is the day I've completed my very first real quilt?  I'm so excited to show it to you!  Yes, I've made layered baby blankets before, but never one with all three layers and actual stitching throughout.  I have to say this was such a rewarding experience and I have luvinthemommyhood's Bella Quilt Collage Tutorial to thank for it.  Shannon's tutorial goes through all the details necessary with digitally drafted diagrams and super clear instructions.  Whether you're a seasoned quilter or a complete beginner like me, I highly recommend you give it a try!

The beautiful fabric is from Sarah Jane's latest collection: Out to Sea.  I was fortunate enough to receive it as part of my prize package from Project Run & Play (THANK YOU, Sarah Jane Studios!).  I can't say enough about how much I love this fabric (and all of her designs).  There is so much attention to detail and everything coordinates so well.  The bias tape edging is two Puppy Park fat quarters from Riley Blake Designs which is part of a bundle that will later become Anja's quilt.  (a big THANK YOU to them as well for sending me this bundle as a prize for the same competition).

Now...more shots of the quilt:

 I decided to use some coordinating blue 100% cotton quilting broadcloth for the back (rather than two pieces suggested in the tutorial).  I also changed the design from the original since I was using fat quarters.  Nine fat quarters total were cut to equal the same size as the pieces used for the front Bella Collage Quilt.

The batting is also 100% cotton and of medium thickness.

Tobias loved designing his quilt!  From this point on, it was a constant "Is my quilt done, yet??" multiple times a day.  Of course, this motivation helped me get it done much quicker than I probably would have otherwise!!  :)   The map is his favourite...he loves finding the X's where the treasure is hidden!!

As recommended by some of my experienced quilter blog friends...don't wash the fabric before.  After you're finished and then wash your quilt, it will have that nice 'vintage-y' look.

DO get a walking foot...it makes the process of quilting so much easier!  I did one line of quilting without it and knew that there was no way I could finish without puckering all over the place.  Once I got the walking foot, there wasn't a single pucker in the entire quilt.

Mitered corners were something that was new to me.  I appreciated finding this Prudent Baby tutorial to help me learn this technique.  I still have a ways to go to make them perfect, but I'm sure it will get easier with practice.

Thanks again, luvinthemommyhood, Sarah Jane Studios, and Riley Blake Designs!