Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Picnic Quilt


I'm a hoarder. Not the kind of hoarder who has things stuffed in her closest from the 90's, but the kind that can't let materials go to waste. The kind of hoarder who holds onto 4 inches of ric rac "just in case" or the strip of 2 inch wide fabric that I love and can't bring myself to throw away. I always buy more fabric than I need, because I love having leftovers for those spontaneous projects.

Needless to say, my cedar chest was overflowing with remnant fabric that I had to hold onto, but never actually did anything with.

The girls and I have been meeting friends at the park, spray fountains, for picnics and barbeque's. And each time we go, I think how much I hate our pathetic excuses for picnic blankets. We have fabulous tie quilts from Joe's mom, but they could fit on a California King sized bed. They're way to big for me to carry when we walk to the park. Then we have throw blankets that I just don't like anymore for my house and so they're my picnic blankets. But we can all barely fit on those. They're tiny. And not really meant for dirt and grass.

So the other day I decided I was just going to make a scrap picnic blanket for us this summer. Lots of fabric cut into seven inch squares, with a few smaller squares thrown in. I have a simple, clean cut sort of style, so I wanted it to be straight forward and basic. Nothing complicated or time consuming. I love the randomness.

A few days of sewing, a Friday fun day held on Thursday, and we have a great picnic blanket for the summer. I decided to add the large ric rac, because it seems I can't get over my love for it. Then I tied the corners with yarn I had laying around.

I am so happy to finally have a picnic blanket I love. It holds a sentimental value too. I can look down and see the fabric I made the girls first Easter dresses with, or the spool people bits and pieces, or Henry's car seat cover, or the Black Apple dolls I made for the girls for Valentines day that they love. And the girls love it too, because they recognize that fabric as well and tell me where it's from.

I think this is a picnic blanket that I won't ever let go of.

13 comments:

LiEr said...

Jamie, that is a gorgeous quilt! How lovely that it is made from fabric scraps that even the girls recognize the significance of! I wrote a post some days ago on my blog and linked to your table tent, if you'd like to see it:

http://ikatbag.blogspot.com/2009/05/princess-pavillion-tent.html

Michelle said...

Darling quilt, and darling pictures!

Bryn said...

I LOVE it! LOVE it! That looks exactly like you and your style and couldn't be more adorable! I loved the way every bit of it turned out. Maybe we'll get lucky and get to go for a picnic when I plan my last trip to WA! Oh, and the girls are so fun playing in it!

MyR said...

You inspired me! I am TOTALLY a fabric hoarder too and have been in need of a picnic blanket. I even had my quilt blocks all cut but didn't know what I was going to do with them. I have them all laid out and ready to sew together! My quilt won't be anywhere near as cute as yours but it will be fun to see all the RANDOM fabrics I've used over the past few years.

nicole said...

Jamie I love it! I think it turned out so cute. The girls are going to love playing and going on picnics for years to come. Now for me to go through my kids' clothes and see what I can come up with to send to you....you are for hire, right? Love you!

Something Girlie said...

You've been tagged. I follow your blog and love your suff. The new blanket is awesome. I've been wanting to learn how to quilt, honestly looks daunting. I hope to get there.

Jennifer said...

Did you sew around each square? Very cute!

The Seaquist Family said...

Oh that is so awesome! I didn't even know they made ric rac that big. I love it. Wish I had one.

Becca said...

it's beautiful!!! I love the colors!What a treasure!

Tasha said...

You are amazing. Did you know that? Simply amazing. I am in love with this. You are inspiring me to want to do the same thing. Oh, what a fabulous idea and I just LOVE that is came from all your scraps too. I think I live in the same department with loving fabric and scraps and not being able to throw things away. Oh, what a fun project. Go you!

Unknown said...

Absolutely Fabulous, you inspire me.

Cathy said...

That is darling! I love all your fabric and combined it is perfect.

Kristin said...

I love it and am inspired to make one for us to use this summer!! What kind of batting do you use? It looks so cushy to me.