I Made a Quilt!

It's been a looong time since I have been able to say that, but I completed a quilt recently...and it was FUN!  Here are a few reasons it was so fun:

1.  I had it machine quilted by Hunter Heirloom Quilting, a local shop.  Truth be told, machine quilting on my home machine is not that fun.  It hurts my back (do I sound old?!), and I only have one design that I enjoy...my own loopy, swirly, all-over design.  That's it.  I've taken classes and practiced, but I think if it is bigger than a baby quilt, I will save my money and pay the professionals to do what they do!

2.  Favorite fabrics found their way into this quilt.  The red polka dot is from a Christmas line by Mary Engelbreit from 2007.  I bought it on sale from Quilter's Harvest in Higginsville.  At the time of the sale, if I bought the rest of the bolt, I got an additional 20% off.  I hesitated, because I didn't "need" that much fabric.  Thankfully, Pam helped me see the savings.  I am down to my last half-yard of this piece, and I will be sad when it is gone. 

The blue floral is from Liberty Lifestyles.  I saw this online, but I could not find it in stores or online anywhere.  I am slow to figure out my favorites, and by the time I realize I love a particular fabric, it is usually out of print.  So, when I walked to the basement of Olive Juice Quilts and saw this fabric, I gasped.  GASPED!  I bought two yards and called it happy.  But then I used it, and it was gone.  Thankfully, my husband travels to WI for work, and bought the rest of the bolt for me.  He's nice like that. 

3.  Bonnie and Camille fabrics...the rest of the fabrics are various lines from Bonnie and Camille.  These fabrics are so happy and light, and I am feeling the need for happiness and light right now! 

4.  Local Quilt Shops and jelly rolls:  I bought the pattern, a jelly roll (my first), plus most of the fabrics from my favorite quilt shop, Sew Sweet Quilt Shop in Brunswick.  I had never used a jelly roll before, and it was super fun.  So I bought another from Missouri Star Quilt Company.

Happy Friday!