A Scrappy Summer Graduation Quilt

A few weeks ago, college girl and I were talking about graduation. She asked me where the past 4 years had gone and I laughed. Oh, my dear child...I have the same question. Just substitute 4 for 21.

Her best college gal pal is graduating too and I asked DD about making her a quilt. DD lit up, but she knows how much time and work go into making a quilt and she didn't want to add something else to the long list of what goes on around here in the spring. I told her to look through my Pnterest quilting board and see if something caught her eye. She wanted something scrappy and colorful and fun and when she asked about this quilt, I knew it was doable. This is a fun pattern from Alison of Cluck Cluck Sew fame ,called Scrappy Summer and you can find her free tutorial here. I would have to sew fast though so I started pulling fabrics and sent pictures to DD for approval.

                              

She said it was perfect so the fabric began to fly. In the middle of the fabric frenzy, I made that trip to my Mom's, and a few days after I got back, I cleared all "To Do's", made sure there were leftovers for 2 meals and sewed up a storm.

                                

I don't think I've ever whipped out a quilt this quickly:

                                

I was actually tired of sitting behind the sewing machine. I know. That's a comment worthy of needing a scolding, but its true. This one never even made it to the UFO list.Still, I loved piecing this and seeing it come together. The white has been in my stash for probably 6 years. I found it at Alco, a little dollar store type establishment in some smaller towns. They used to carry fabric...good fabric....quilt store quality fabric...for next to nothing. I have bought Moda fabric there. This is a Bare Essentials by RJR fabric and I bought 6 yards for $1.99...for all 6 yards. The tag says $1.99/yard, but when I mentioned it to the cashier, he said, no, that was the price for all of it. O.K. I tried.

                                      

The fabric didn't come on bolts. It was simply stacked in folded piles on the shelf and you never knew how much there was. There was no cutting a yard or any other amount. You just bought the whole lot.

 This is the first time I have used solids too. How many of you are gasping? I didn't have a single solid in my stash. Online ordering to the rescue and problem solved. :)

                                      

Most of these are American Made brand fabrics. I wish more fabrics were made in America, but this is a good start and you can bet I'll be sewing with them more.

I sewed fast so that I could get it to Jackie and not rush her. I know this is a busy time for her with graduation and Mother's Day. I have 4 other quilts there and I asked her to just push them back and quilt this one first. She's a gem.

                                           

I picked it up a week later and she once again brought the quilt to life with her choice of design. I love the variegated thread.

                               

I let the grass grow a little taller than I usually do, and I sent DH off without me a day or two, and I stitched on the binding:

                                
                                 
It finishes at 78 x 86. I didn't want any toes peeking out when she snuggles with it!

                                                        

I finished it just in the nick of time, but it was a rainy day so the plan for outdoor photos was vetoed:

                                              

A run through the washer and dryer and its all set for a really wonderful young gal who's ready to take the world by the horns.