Friday, April 5, 2013

quilt for my dad

Last month my dad got really sick and had emergency surgery and a pretty long hospital stay.  He kept telling me how much he liked the quilt I made for my mom for Mother’s Day so I took the hint and made him his own quilt.  It’s about 65” x 76”, the perfect lap quilt size.

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The fabric is mostly PB & J, a new line out and a lucky win for me on Deborah’s lovely blog Simply Miss Luella.   I won a layer cake, and then I happened to have a jelly roll that I bought during a Moda Sample Spree sale so I was able to make the 2.5” cornerstones out of that.  The sashing fabric is perhaps my favorite DS Quilts print ever, a nice gray with white circles.

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To make the quilt I took out all the floral layer cake squares and then substituted in a few 10” squares from my stash.  I thought my dad wouldn’t like any flowers, even if they are pretty!

The quilting is a decorative stitch on my Janome.  I was really at a loss how to quilt this one.  I thought my dad would like minimal quilting.  The thread I used was awesome!  On top I used a 50 wt. gray variegated thread from a Tula Pink Aurifil set that was a gift from my friend Svetlana.  The bobbin thread is a 50 wt. dark blue from Aurifil.  I have never sewn with Aurifil 50 wt. thread but I can tell you my sewing machine really appreciated it!  I usually use whatever is on sale from Joann’s.  With the better thread I got absolutely no thread nests!!!  The machine ran so smoothly.  I think using the Aurifil really made a difference.

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My husband didn’t like the backing fabric I picked so I mulled it over for about 10 seconds and decided to go with what I had in my stash, which is an old Moda Minnick and Simpson Wiscasset Bay blue paisley that I bought when I first learned to sew.  It’s not really my taste but I thought it fit this quilt pretty well and I didn’t have to buy anything, which is a plus.  I don’t think it’s too feminine.

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Linking up to Crazy Mom Quilts’s Finish It Up Friday.  Have a great weekend!

22 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for showing me this quilt. It turned out great - I love the border fabric and I am always looking for a quilt for men. I hope your dad is feeling better.

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  2. Your quilt is beautiful!! This pattern really shows the layer cake squares in a lovely way. One of my favorite fabrics is the DS grey dots. Perfect choice. Hope your dad is on the mend.

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  3. This is a great quilt for a man. Looks amazing!

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  4. This is lovely, lovely, lovely, what a fab quilt to make for your Dad. I hope it helps him to make a speedy recovery xxx

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  5. I bet your dad really appreciated this one. Thanks for your thoughts on the thread, I'm a Gutermann's gal, because I find they have lots of the colors I like (at Joann's) but have been wanting to try out Aurifil. Might just do it!

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  6. What a nice quilt! I love the quilting, it looks great. I hope your father is on the mend, my best wishes to you and your family!

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  7. Jamie, this is such a wonderful quilt. I bet your dad will love it. Hope he feels better soon.

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  8. This looks like a perfect DAD quilt. He will be so pleased.
    Linda F.

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  9. What a lovely quilt, Jamie Lee - a perfect 'Dad Quilt' indeed. Get well soon, Dad :)

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  10. You did a great job. It's a "guy" quilt without being too boring. You didn't say anything about your dad's reaction. Does he love it? (He must!)

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  11. What a gorgeous job, Jamie Lee! I love that gray and white print too and always have some in my stash! Hope your dad is better soon!

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  12. I hope your dad is much better Jamie:):):)

    I love the quilt,very manly and clean cut looking!

    I need some Aurifil in my life!

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  13. Sorry to hear about your Dad Jamie! Lovely quilt though :)
    Kat

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  14. That's a great quilt! Maybe I should use this pattern for my dad. He is also sick but with cancer. I keep thinking I need to make him one but I'm stuck on the fabrics. I said a prayer for your dad to have a speedy recovery and a clean bill of health.

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  15. I am so sorry to hear your dad was in the hospital. This is such a lovely gift! I love the PB&J line. I think your quilt turned out very masculine.

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  16. This is THE perfect man's quilt! I love it! And you know what? As soon as I read it was for your Dad, it made me think that I should make a quilt for my Dad! So thank you xx

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  17. What a great quilt this turned out to be! Congratulations on such a wonderful finish... I know your dad will love it!!!

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  18. Beautiful quilt! I hope your dad gets well real quick!I like the zig zag stitches and think I will try that on my next quilt. I am new to quilting and I love it!

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  19. That blue paisley is really a great match for the prints on the front! I bet your dad will be thrilled to receive this special gift :)

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  20. What a pretty quilt! Is is so sophisticated!
    Esther

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  21. Great quilt, Jamie! I love the whole thing, especially that gray sashing.

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  22. It's such a manly quilt - he will love it! That gray sashing - mmmmmm!

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Some days the only adult I talk to is my husband...help him keep his sanity by leaving a comment so I have another adult to talk sewing with:) I will make sure to reply!