Happy Summer!

For some it’s felt like summer for quite some time… at least here in St Louis, but it is official today.  Happy Summer Solstice! The days will start getting shorter and in a few months we will be pulling quilts around us. 

I was flipping through photos of quilts we’ve quilted in the last 11 months and ran across this one that is full of happiness and just says “summer” to me.  It was made by a dear friend who comes to visit a time or two each year and while here she makes a quilt and has it quilted by TGQ.

The photo below shows the design wall as it is used in the beginning to lay out all the pieces and begin sewing.  This is a “big block” pattern so you can get a quilt top sewn quickly.  From the wall, you can take each section and sew it.  

After all the cutting, it starts to take shape.

The following photo really shows why it was chosen for this journal entry.  It reminds me of flowers on a trellis and has so many interesting colours. The quilt design she chose to quilt it with was a large feather pattern and done from edge to edge. Because many of the blocks are large, it didn’t need a dense pattern. 

A bright binding was chosen to complement the quilt.

There are so many options for the back of a quilt these days.  It used to be white broad cloth was the norm.  Then patterned fabric began to be used or one of the fabrics from the front.  Of late blocks of fabric (from the front or not!) will be used for the back to make an interesting back. 

An interesting use of similar colours, but a completely different type pattern for the back.

It may not be time to cozy up with a quilt right now, but when the chilly weather rolls around, this quilt will bring back all the colours and joy of summer to Judy!