I started this quilt back in 2008. The pictures below are from September that year. A year later I finished the top by sewing all the blocks together. And today I finally made a decision on the backing, and finished the simple quilting. For the linen fabric backing I was inspired  by the French book ‘Esprit de famille‘ by Audrey Fitzjohn. I love the red combined with all the natural linen.

Now I only have to decide on the binding and sew it on…. maybe next year?? ;-)

I hope not, as I see myself on an August summer night in my hang chair with a book or crochet project with this strawberry and cream blanket for some comfort.

I thought of a red and white checkered binding, but the fabric I found today, the white was just too white. I think I first have to dig in my stash again to find out if I still have enough of the checkered fabric I used for the top, so I can use that for the binding. Or maybe you have any suggestions for me?

Below some pictures of the work I did in September 2008, when I had the house for myself during a whole week. So I could keep my crafting stuff all around the house whole the time :-)

The pattern is by Heather Bailey.

I have finished and send my summertime quilt, I hope so my swap partner will love it. I’m so pleased with the final result with the crocheted border and the name tag at the back. I’m still not sure about the crocheted flower I added. but hey it was the first time I made my own design.

I think it’s so funny to see, that when you put yourself to a challenge, you are able to do things you never thought you could. Just making my own design and see how it’s coming to life…. I had never thought I could do that.

And now I just hope that my secret* swap partner is going to love the quilt as much as I do. *(I know who she is, but she doesn’t know that I’m the one who is sending the swap to her)

I thought I needed a challenge to try something new, so I submitted to the  In the Good Ol’ Summertime Mini Quilt Swap. My partner’s favourite colour is blue so that was something to start from with my design. I want to try a scrappy quilt with a panel where I can add a summer bird with applique or embroidery. I really like to try a crocheted edging, so I might add that as well to the binding. In the left picture you can see the fabrics I picked from my stash, they really look swimming pool blue, don’t you think?

At the right you can see a glimpse of my desk where I have my computer and where I can put up my sewing machine.