Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Textured Flannel Quilt


One of the projects I've managed to start and finished in my blogging absence was this flannel and fleece quilt.


Before I started quilting I always relied on down comforters to keep warm in winter.  I have finished several quilts now that fit this bed, but none of them were particularly warm for frosty Midwestern nights until now. 


The top is made entirely of thick and cozy flannels, it has cotton batting, and a thick fleece back.  I would have gone with a thicker poly batting except that at a whopping 115" square, there is no way it would have fit through my machine.  But it is that size for good reason.  My husband and I have a nasty habit of fighting over covers in our sleep on cold nights and he has mastered the "tuck and roll" technique.  This quilt is so huge it has solved that problem entirely.  :)  No more cold nights for either of us!

Each block finishes at 12" square and the pattern is deceptively simple.  A square-in-a-square with two graduated layers of raw-edged strips sewn down with the quilting.  It's simplicity is what allowed me to cut, sew, and finish this one in just a few weeks while under a pile of deadlines.


It gives it a very rustic feel and makes me want to get one of those big knotted pine beds that you find in cabins all over the West.  And I'm sure you've noticed by now that I also sewed down a variety of buttons across the quilt.  Again, it was mostly to add texture and another level of detail.


I placed the buttons at the on every other block and used a bunch of different ones... mostly a combination of wood and metal buttons.  I think it would have been a little over-kill if I had done them all, plus finding and purchasing 81 buttons was a little daunting.

I think this could be down-sized and adapted nicely as an easy tactile blanket for a toddler or kids room.  You'd just have to ensure that those buttons are nice and secure!

8 comments:

Melissa said...

It is absolutely gorgeous!! Love the button detail. How much does it cost for materials for a quilt that size (what size is the bed? - dimensions don't mean much to me!! )

Ellen aka Ellie said...

So cozy looking, even on this warm and sunny evening!

Mary said...

I love the colors and simplicity of this quilt. Mostly, I love your creativity to pull together the fabrics, textures and colors. So glad to have you back in blogland (at least for now!).

marsharebel said...

Once again, you have come up with a fabulous new design. You are an artist who should be making and creating all the time. Lovely.

Hootnz said...

Wow I love the look of this... just what I could do with at the moment as the nights get cooler.... would like great on one of my boys beds too!

Heather said...

That looks really cozy! I know all about those blanket stealing husbands, LOL! I love your button detail.

Kathryn Ferguson Griffin said...

Wow! I'm so impressed!! Thank you for sharing. Also, thank you for the visit and sweet comment. It means the world. Wishing you a grand evening. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

Danielle @ A Sprig of Ivy said...

Gorgeous! You've inspired me to make a new quilt for my bed instead of buying another comforter from the department store! Love it!