08 September, 2011

The Triangle Quilt



The Triangle Quilt
90'' by 90''

So named by The Monster because it has lots of triangles. Simple, explanation, really. Made up with bee blocks from my Pieced Together 2 bee, and some more added by me. Random flying geese, all going in the same direction.


The girls decided to pretend they were fallen statues on their bed. Other than sleep it would be the most still they've ever been on their bed. Right after I took this picture they started wrestling.

This quilt ended up being the perfect size. I know some folks don't like square quilts for beds because beds aren't square. If you want to skip that traditional pillow fold look, however, the 90'' by 90'' is perfect for the modern queen bed. You know, the kind that are ridiculously tall? Even after washing I've got plenty of overhang, without it being obnoxious.

(When I finally get a chance to finish up the details in the girls' room and photograph it you will see what I mean.)


I promise you that the quilt does lay flat when it is on their bed. It's been washed already to get out some random blood stain. I actually had it on their bed for a week before I finished the binding, so maybe the blood was a prick on my own finger? But for a bed quilt for two little girls I expect it to get washed A LOT.

For that reason I didn't stress over the quilting too much. I wanted it solid and graphic, but I didn't worry about it being perfect. It is my theory that "organic line quilting" is another way of saying "too lazy to mark". Well, it is in my world. The quilting on this one is mostly straight lines with random triangles. They sometimes echo the actual geese blocks, and sometimes they don't. It turns out to be a pretty neat effect on the finished quilt.


When it came to the back I more than lucked out. Back in March, when I was visiting Amanda Jean, we went to Hancock's (I think). The grey was purchased with these bee blocks in mind, although I had no idea what the quilt would become at the time. The turquoise polka dot I also bought then. The two combined perfectly in this back. The polka dot is a single stripe down the middle of the back. The Monster is obsessed with all things striped, so at least one had to be there.


Binding a quilt this size doesn't go fast, but it was a great activity on the nights I couldn't face much more after this run of single parenting. Or when the girls are playing baby tigers on the floor and you sit on their bed, under the the quilt, stitching. Other than that one section of turquoise it is the same yellow. I wanted the geese to pop, so I carried the yellow to the binding.

As for solving the problems we were having before, this quilt has definitely been the solution. Besides, it's pretty.

22 comments:

Lesly said...

Looks great, Cheryl! Love the variation in scale of the geese and the colours are terrific together.

Anne said...

Wow, that's really a great quilt. The yellow is so cheerful and that blue pops right out atcha! I like the triangles too. But best of all, I love the picture of your girls playing statue!

Bridget said...

Perfect color combination and the triangles look like they are floating! Why did I think of The Pencil Rain song by They Might Be Giants?

What Comes Next? said...

It looks wonderful!

sulu-design said...

Love it. Period.

Emily said...

Very pretty. I love the randomness of the geese as well.

Leslie said...

this is beautiful...i love the random sizes and placing of the triangles

~Michelle~ said...

I love the quilting! Glad the girls are so happy with the quilt - the yellow really brightens everything up, I imagine. :)

Lee D said...

looks wonderful, so bright and cheery...just like the girls

LOTJE said...

Beautiful!! Looks really great! Sure will be nice to get carried away / dreaming under that quilt

Mary said...

I think I remember you saying that it was a mistake you ran out of background fabric. I think the different backgrounds totally made this quilt! What a happy accident. I love the texture and interest and I want to play around with that idea in the future.

felicity said...

Love it, and the words you used to describe it and the process. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Just beautiful. I love the quilting. You have a good idea to pull that off without marking, especially the quilted geese that don't echo the patchwork.

Anonymous said...

It looks wonderful - love the variation in scales and the shades of yellow.

Have your girls shared for a long time? We are semi considering butting two singles together for our boys when they're a bit older, but have received a whole load of negative opinions (including from people who think girls sharing is fine, but boys sharing is weird). The smaller one will co-sleep with us for a while longer, and then be in a big cot, but eventually we'd like to do this. Any words of wisdom?

Esch House Quilts said...

Such a cheerful quilt - I'm glad the girls like it. The different sized flying geese are fun.

CitricSugar said...

Caught me - I am WAY too lazy to mark. Plus I only ever remember marking as I'm securing the last basting pin and then it's waaaaaay too late.

Love the triangle quilt.

elle said...

I like it. A Lot!

Suzanne said...

I'm going to remember that you coined organic line quilting and use that term whenever I can. It's a wonderful finish.

Jolene said...

The different shades of yellow make this quilt sing! And I think using a yellow binding was a great decision. I might have been tempted to do turquoise, but I think that would have taken away from the geese.

I must beg to differ with you on the 'organic quilting = laziness"! Now I'll admit I do have lazy streaks, but I love the look of 'less than perfect'. When I do 'organic' quilting, it takes just as much, or more effort for me. Straight lines come more naturally.

Victoria said...

What a wonderful quilt to have on ones bed! The yellow and blue are so happy and sunny, and the white and gray give it a calming feel. Perfect-o! Lucky, lucky girls!

Live a Colorful Life said...

It's been fun watching the progress. I really like these colors together. Beautiful quilt. Lucky little girls. (And where can I get a pair of those stripey pants??)

Anonymous said...

Beautifuul!