I'm happy to say that the quilt for my husband is finally done. At times I thought (and I know my husband thought) the quilt top might hang in our basement forever. I just couldn't get the nerve up to quilt this large of a quilt on my little basic Janome. So I set it aside every time an opportunity came along to make another quilt. I think Ted watched me make four baby quilts before I finally basted his quilt this past weekend. But, finally, four and a half months later, it is done.
When he put in the request for a quilt about a year ago, he said he just wanted it to be blue and manly. "Big rectangles of various blue colors would work," he said. I wasn't feeling that so I came up with a different plan. And he loves it! It's already in use.
Officially, I'm calling this the "Urban Lattice" quilt but it's also known as the "manly quilt" for obvious reasons.
I had so much fun working on this quilt, from coming up with the pattern myself and picking the fabrics, to cutting into some of my most hoarded stash and challenging myself to make my biggest quilt yet. Ted had requested an extra large throw-sized quilt. It measures 70 x 82. I honestly thought my machine was going to start smoking at one point. It definitely needs to be serviced after quilting this.
I originally wanted to pebble quilt it but then fellow St. Louis Modern Quilt Guild member Brige mocked up my quilt top picture to show me how concentric straight lines would look. I had entertained that quilting idea previously but seeing it mocked up really helped my decision making. The straight line quilting gives it just enough structure while still leaving it nice and cozy. Don't you want to curl up in it right now?
Special thanks to all my flickr friends who swapped me gray print fabrics for this quilt. You all are some of the most generous and wonderful people ever. Quilters rock! And keep a look out for a tutorial from me on this quilt pattern! I can't promise it will be soon but it's in the queue.
If you love quilts, definitely hop over and check out all the lovely ones at Amy's Blogger's Quilt Festival!
To see a gallery of all of my other finished quilts, click here.
If you are interested in making this quilt, come join us here.
72 comments:
You. Rock. That is totally rad! Can't wait for your tute ;-)
I'm such a fan of gray. What a great quilt. I'll definitely be back!
Again you did a great job Cara!
What a great manly quilt - love it!
Wow this quilt screams that it should be put in the man cave!!! Love it!
ooh, I really like this. It's got a cool sophstication about it *adds to growing "must make" list*
It's gorgeous.
You have made a great manly quilt. The colours and fabrics are just perfect but still acceptable for the girls. Great balance.
This definitely has an awesome manly look to it, I really like the way you used the gray! Thank you for the inspiration, I'd love to make a quilt for my husband but am hesitant about coming up with a manly design. Thank you for showing me it can be done!
A really nice quilt for your DH. A man quilt and congratulations on finished it for the festival - Hugs Nat
Great quilt for a guy! Love the interplay of colors. Did your guy out and out ask or hint around first? Mine found a quilt pattern in a shop we were visiting that he really liked and just kept pointing out the shop sample to me (like 4 times in 30 minutes). I finally got the hint!
OMG, this is SOOOOOOOOOOOO beautiful! As soon as I saw the image at Amy's ,I couldn't wait to come and see this quilt! I love the moody grey/blue background and the pop of the contrast! Now I'm actually going to read the post! ;)
It's beeauuutiful! The back is awesome too!
looks great, and totally manly.
It's beautiful - I mean handsome :)
And I bow down to you for quilting it on your own machine!! What a feat!
beautiful!
Looks awesome! And it is very manly!
It's so modern and clean. I love it! You are a brave, brave girl to quilt that biggen'. I'd still be procrastinating.
Nice quilt! I love the gray with those wonderful accent diamonds!
The quilt turned out great. I'm glad you opted for the straight stitching with it.
Perfect manly quilt! I love it! And I always love to see what you're up to - you make some great stuff!
A manly quilt it is. I'm really surprised you were able to wait until he asked you though. My own Husband's many quilt was made last year and has apples and pirates on it. But I didn't wait for him to ask. If I had it would have never been made. Ever tried to make a 90"x90" quilt on the sly? Right! That worked out well... NOT!
Don't worry about your little Janome it can handle this size and bigger. It's only as scary as you make it. (I freemotion king quilts on a 6.25" throat). Anything is do-able.
very manly! very nice quilt, lucky guy!
Love the quilt!
love gray quilts and love this one!!
you did and amazing work!
I love the grey a lot! I also really like the straight-line quilting because it makes the blocks look like string blocks which is a really nice effect!
Love your quilt!
this looks fantastic... the concentric lines look great. i can not imagine quilting something this large myself. after doing big ones i always think that i will stick with baby quilts forevermore.
I can see why he likes it. It really is a nice design for a man.
I love the simple pattern and quite feel of the quilt, he has to love it !
Love this quilt - simple and beautiful. Thanks for sharing it!
This quilt is just amazing - I love how serene it is - and the quilting is just perfect! I can see why your hubby loves it so much!
My husband keeps asking for a quilt also. I keep pretending I don't hear him. :) We have three small girls so I'm sure you can relate :D It turned out great!! And I'm sure you are pleased as can be that it's DONE :D I love the piecing on the back too.
This quilt is so subtle...love it, love it!!!
That quilt has a very soothing and restful look to it - as well as being manly. Great job!
Cara, Your quilt came out beautifully! Great job!
Jo Anna
great quilt cara! the colors are fab
I like the quilting too!
I love it! The colors, the clean design, and the quilting are all just fabulous. Great job!
Your use of color is spectacular, love the grey with the bright blue tiny strip outline, very effective. All the various print in the center work so well and the quilting is perfect design to enhance the "masculine" feel.
Your colour and pattern have worked well. It is a great quilt for a man!
Your Manly quilt is exactly that and obviously loved if already in use.
Awsome
It's wonderful, and the quilting is just exactly right. I use a very basic Janome too - am quilting a King size right now and I can tell you, it can be done! Outstanding work.
Terrific quilt! Definitely manly! :)
Great color choices -- definitely manly! I can't believe you quilted this on your Janome machine -- what model do you have?? I'd have been terrified! LOL! You've given me ... hope! :)
It turned out great! Your hubby must be thrilled!
Perfect man quilt! Love the pattern and fabrics.
Great man's quilt. The grey is a great colour to sue.
Blessings
Gail
Very manly...I love it! Took a look at your other quilts, and they are also great. That, paired with the fact that you have a daughter named Lila (like me!)...you got yourself a new follower :-) Looking forward to seeing what is next!
Happy Festival!
I love your "manly" quilt! Great story. Thanks for sharing!
Great quilt! I think my husband would like something like that too! I might have to stick around for your pattern;)
how cool that your husband actually requested a quilt! i don't know if my husband would dare do that ... i sew too much as it is. haha.
it turned out awesome ... i love the colors and the way you quilted it!!
p.s. i love your girls' names :)
YAY ITs finished!! It turned out AMAZING!! Its my fav guys quilt ever... the grey is fantastic...!!
What an interesting quilt, it is soft but manly; calm yet strong graphic lines. Kudos
Come visit my entries.
Cara the quilt came out perfectly! Love the grays and blues. I can totally relate to the undertaking of quilting a large quilt with a "basic" machine. But you did it and it looks amazing!
I love the gray! Awesome! :)
A great manly quilt! I love the grey.
I love it!!! It's gorgeous!!! Definitely manly! I can see why your husband loves it!!
Loving the grey and blue combo!! Great design too!!
hi there! it's my first visit, i came via Amy's blog and i love this quilt, i think it's veru special that you made it for your husband. i love everything about it! the colours, the design, the quilting, everything
i've become a follower and plan on visiting your blog often.
i also submitted a litle baby quilt of mine to the BQF, if you wnt to check it out.
cheers from Portugal!
I like the "manly colors", especially since I have a house full of boys. Very nice quilt!
It's a beautiful quilt. I really like the muted tones and light added by the yellowy triangles. Well done
it's a wonderful beautiful quilt. (oops... I meant handsome). :)
Cute! (I mean, cool! Manly!)I love the gray and blue! I think the straight lines were a good choice too! Looks great!
Definitely a manly quilt. I love the solid in it.
that's a great quilt for anyone but i do like the manly attitude it has! fun story about it all. thanks for sharing and have a great day. love your pattern!
I love this quilt... the use of color space and the concentric line quilting. It totally makes the manliness of the quilt. I'm feeling kinda chilly right now, can I borrow that quilt? LOL
P.S. yay for you doing your own quilting!
Woo hoo, a great manly quilt! I will watch for the tutorial, I can think of a young man in college who would love this design if slightly different colors. :)
This is great! I love the predominate solid with the prints used so minimally. This is great! (I said that already huh)
It's lovely! How's that baby?
It is a great manly quilt!
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