I kept it simple for a first quilt attempt with 5" squares.
I was really surprised at how quickly and easily the front went together - not only painless but also enjoyable!
I spent a couple of days practising meandering quilting techniques, which I got the hang of. Then I decided not to quilt it that way! I wanted some clean, modern lines and for it not to look too busy so I followed the squares to quilt the layers together.
For the back I just used up left-overs and it happened to make a strip.
I chose to pull out the greys of the print by using Moda Bella Solid in Grey for the back (it will be getting a lot of use and I suspect my 2 year old will try and drag it across the floor so white was out!). I found a useful clip on utube for adding the binding to the quilt. I was surprised at how long it took me to hand sew the binding (I was probably just getting impatient by that stage!).I used Hobbs Heirloom Premium Batting and Momo Plaid in Sky for the binding.
Things I would do differently on my next quilt:
The strip I put across the back was the same size as the blocks on the front. When I sandwiched the quilt everything matched up perfectly. However, because I chose square quilt lines which I quilted on the front, they didn't correspond exactly on the back which looks a bit odd (I've been told I'm staring at it too much!). Anyway I would either use a meandering quilting technique or if I was using straight line quilting I would make the strip on the back much larger so they do not correspond.
I probably made a novice error here but I machine stitched the binding on to the back so that all my hand stitches were then on the front. Anyway I'd do that the other way around next time.
Other than that I'm so happy with it! Love the colours of this collection!
For the cushion I just used any bits of scraps left over from the quilt (feels a bit like I got the cushion for free!). I also used a cream invisible zip and Moda Bella Solid in Natural. For the Egg cushion I just used a unit of Eggs in Fudge.
It has been great using the quilt at night while watching tv but I can't wait until the Summers' evenings when I can sit underneath my quilt on my handmade bench outside!
Actually I've used only a tiny fraction of the complete collection roll. I didn't use any of the pinks and yellows because of other colours in the room I'm going to use the quilt in. Also I'm thinking the pinks and yellows are going to look lovely as a patchwork play mat for a girl.
Speaking of which, I noticed this great free pattern that popped up on Moda recently;
Building Blocks Baby Quilt
By Hyacinth Quilt Designs and it is well worth a look for a quick quilt project. You can view the It's A Hoot Collection at Seamstar here - dwindling stocks though!
