Today I am participating in Bea’s “Dust Off A Book” Blog Hop. The concept is simple – use a pattern from a quilt book that you have. I was not sure which one I wanted to use.
I was thinking of working with these gorgeous flannels. These fabrics were designed by Sarah of Designs by SaraJ. They were part of the prize from the Tips/Tutorials Fall 2018 Festival; my tutorial was on making a facing for a quilt.
I settled on a quilt from this book. It was called Box Cars by Kaffe Fassett. While his version was more, monochromatic, I loved the simplicity of it and knew it would work well with flannel.
I found the fabrics on line, they were called Primo Plaid Flannels : Sew Sweet from Marcus Fabrics. You can download fabrics into EQ8* – which makes the planning process so much easier. It really helps to be able to figure out how things are going to look. Flannel is a little difficult to work with, but this flannel performed exceptionally well.
I cut the pieces as 5″ x 8″. The original pattern had you cut at 5.5″x8″, that wasn’t going to work. Why? Flannel shrinks – end of story. I knew I could cut my flannel efficiently by using the diagram above. I did not have 17″ on each FQ. 110 pieces were needed, 12 fat quarters – 112 pieces and one was too short (probably my mistake). I had 1 piece left over – now that is efficient!
I love the way this turned out. Percy, however, doesn’t look so excited.
The fabric on the back is a mix of a line called Paint by Carrie Bloomston for Windham Fabrics and Moda grunge. I thought about using the paintbrushes as my quilting design but wasn’t anxious to go through the pushing and pulling of the flannel on my Bernina 440. When I went to write the blog and look at the pattern, Kaffe used the diagonals (although wavier); I am in good company on my choice.
I used Hobbs Premium Cotton Batting that I received as an Island Batik Ambassador. I basted with my 505 spray* – it did not shift at all! For quilting, I used two different weight Aurifil threads, a 40wt #2210 in yellow to quilt and a 50wt l#2562 lilac in the bobbin. It worked perfectly. I lengthened my stitch to 3.0, I wanted a little more definition with this thread and used the recommended 90/14 topstitch needle.
This quilt makes me happy and it really is one of the few girly girl things I have – I am a delighted. Thanks Bea for hosting this hop – I am so pleased to use fabric I won and other fabric I had been hoarding in my stash!
This was also one of my 1st quarter goals. You can read about it here.
Quilt Stats:
Fantastic Flannel Box Cars
56″ x 71″
Pattern from Box Cars by Kaffe Fassett
Hobbs Premium Cotton Batting
Here are the other folks blogging today in the Dust Off A Book Blog Hop….give them some love and check out what they are doing.
Monday Feb 18th
Turid at densyendehimmel. Pamela at Pamelaquilts
Joan at Moosestashquilting Anne at seems like a plan
Susan at Desertsky Quilting Selina at Selinaquilts
Kathleen at Kathleenmcmusing<—- that’s me!
The second blog hop I am in this week, begins today. Check out these folks and see how their wings are being shown!
February 18
What About Rheema? Hill Valley Quilter
Nutz For Redwork Kathy’s Kwilts and More
Melva Loves Scraps Creative Blonde
Keepsake Moments Whims And Fancies
Quilt n Party Seams To Be Sew
GIVEAWAY TIME:
I am having a giveaway. (or maybe 3) – US addresses only. It will be open until Sunday, 2/24 at 11:59 pm. I don’t know what it will be..maybe swag from Quilt Con, maybe Island Batiks or maybe something else. Let’s see what develops this week. You get one entry for a comment on each of my blog entries this week (not sure how many there will be after Wednesday but there are three planned right now).
Update 3/4/19
WINNERS!!!THANK YOU to all who commented during my giveaways. My giveaways were sent on Friday, Karen T, Bernie K, and Kathy L won and should be getting there FQs and a few little things soon. I haven’t decided on the next, but it is coming.
Linking up: Dizzy Quilter
Disclaimer: *Links with asterisk indicate an affiliate link. Your price is not any different, but a small percentage of the sale will go to supporting my blog.
Love the quilt! I have only worked with flannel once before and loves his soft the project turned out. And talk about being efficient! Only one piece left is awesome!
What luck was that! I knew when I saw that one piece I was losing one. Thank goodness that was the only mishap.
This turned out lovely and I’m sure it is cozy and comfy.
I wrapped myself in it this morning – bliss.
Your quilt is very cozy looking and inviting; yet so simple! I love it and have flannels that need to be used up. Nice to know that there was so little shifting with the 505 spray. Thanks for dusting off that book and sharing your quilt. Janice.snell@gmail.com
Its so nice when our tools work the way they should. 505 is really terrific – I have never had a problem, except when it runs out!
Your quilt has great eye appeal and I noted the block sizes to duplicate the idea for some plaids I have.
Thank you; I am so pleased with the way it turned out.
I love the result. I have started one quilt with flannel and it is still in a bag somewhere. The paintbrush fabric on back of this made me smile widely. I love it too.
I did love that fabric, but like so many it had been stashed for awhile and I decided it was time to use it – and its for me so I am smiling widely, too!
Great quilt
Thank you.
How snuggly the quilt must be! I love making with flannel and the little kiddos that receive the quilt drag them around like they can’t bear to part with them. There is just something about flannel that is so comforting!
It is snuggly and is today is a perfect day to snuggle here – snowy and grey.
Love the quilt. The flannel looks so cuddly.
Indeed it is!
Kathleen – what a bright, cheerful quilt! And the simplicity of the pattern really allows the fabrics to shine. Just perfect! Thanks for the inspiration. This would be a great pattern to use up larger scraps!
Thank you. KISS is often the way to go – says someone who often overachieves on the complex side of life. It is perfect for those FQ bundles (this one had 12).
Percy obviously hasn’t had the luxury of snuggling in that fabulous flannel just yet. Or he would be singing a different tune! LOL!! Great quilt for these cold winter days!
I am sure he will – although today’s resting spot was my pile of washed batiks!
Cute quilt, I love plaids!
I especially loved these pretty girly flannels! I don’t live in a girly world – grew up with 4 brothers, have a husband, son and male dog – fun to incorporate it when I can.
What a pretty quilt! I love a flannel quilt but most of my family do not. 🙁 I’m sorely tempted to make one like this anyway!
Its colder on my side of the bed (ha ha), so I think you could have one there.
Pretty snuggle quilt.
Cool quilt! Flannel is amazingly soft and snuggly! Your quilt is very amazing! Enjoy your day! Thanks for sharing! 🙂 🙂 angielovesgary2 atgmail dotcom
You are welcome, and thanks for stopping by and commenting.
That is such beautiful flannel and it looks perfect in that quilt. Very cozy looking! Thanks for sharing!
You are so welcome!
I love how the beautiful plaids worked in your quilt. Did you wash the fat quarters first? I have a bundle of Chrstmas plaid flannel I’d like to use in something like this.
Oh yes, they were washed and dried in a hot dryer. I sometimes think you should do it twice, but I didn’t.
It’s satisfying to make something from a book from our libraries, isn’t it? The colors in your quilt are so bright and cheery, and flannel makes it just right for snuggling under during those cold winter evenings. A quilt, just for you! Gotta love that!
It is so satisfying. And, I thought I could make 5 others too when looking at it. I do love these flannels – so sweet and feminine.
what a wonderful quilt. these fabrics are so cool. i love the colors and the paint brush fabric. thanks for sharing.
quilting dash lady at comcast dot net
This quilt was all about the fabrics. I am sure I thought I was making an apron or something like that from the paint fabric, but I am so much happier with this.
Kathleen I love this quilt. I haven’t done anything in flannel other than a rag quilt. I may need to add this to my someday list.
I hadn’t done much in flannel and I have to say I loved the way this worked out.
What a lovely quilt. I’ve never used flannel fabric but quite often will use fleece as a backing on childrens quilts.
It really gives it a nice weight, I was surprised, as I do like my quilts a little heavier. I may be using it more.
What a fun warm quilt….love it
Thank you, Barbara!
Cozy and lovely – best of both worlds 🙂
You are so right!
Kathleen I am a wee bit jealous of the cuddly goodness of your Flannel Box Cars quilt (as I sit snuggled into an old wooden blanket, nursing a cold). It’s beautiful. I love seeing what everyone is doing from their treasured books!
Carol Andrews
https://quiltschmilt.wordpress.com/
Sorry you are not feeling well! It really was a fun quilt, and fun to do something from that book, as I have had it a long time!
Ah well! Having a cold is a good reason to just sit and look at all the eye candy on the inter Webb!
It looks warm. Those colors are so pretty.
Thank you – it is quite heavy and warm! I was surprised at the weight.
It’s always fun to make something just for yourself and use fabric that you especially like, even if it doesn’t suit anyone else. I made a quilt that fits that description and backed it with a luscious Martha Negley rose print that I simply would not have used except that I told myself that this was *my* quilt and since I loved that fabric I should use it. I’m so glad I did. And a big hooray for flannel. I make a point of using flannel to back one nephew’s quilts, as he is especially appreciative of texture and I always remember how much I liked it as a kid when I settled in with a snuggly quilt and know that he will like it even more. Sometimes flannel is just right.
It really is fun to have something just for me! I love how cozy it is and remember my grandmother making covers for blankets from flannel sheets – the only thing close to quilting she did. They were so warm as is this quilt.
Wow, these are fabulous colors!!! I think simple rectangles were a great choice to show them off, and I am always a fan of cross-hatch or diagonal quilting. This “dust off a book” concept is a fun one!
I love the dust off concept and the quilt was totally fun to make.
I haven’t ever made a flannel quilt, but my sister has one and it is so comfy! I should definitely try one!
It wasn’t bad at all. No sophisticated piecing is my recommendation, as well as prewash and dry.
As I sit here in the midst of a cold, blustery Iowa winter, I can imagine how cozy your Boxcar quilt is made with flannel! it’s beautiful and will get lots of use, I’m sure! I think Percy is just patiently waiting for his time alone to snuggle up in this quilt!
You are probably right about Percy – it’s all about him – always.
Beautiful fabrics + perfect pattern = beautiful quilt! Thanks for sharing in the hop … 🙂 Pat
You are welcome – thanks for hopping!
Your flannel fabrics are so pretty and the straight line quilting is perfect for that pattern.
Thank you – I think it worked up nicely.
What a great pattern for flannels. Love it.
I thought so and I love it.
Very very nice great idea for a project linus quilt…ty for sharing your talents. . happyness04431@yahoo.com
You are welcome and it is easy peasy.
Wow, that looks like a very cozy quilt! I just love all the colors and plaids.
It is about as cozy as you can get.
Hi Kathleen! I love how this box car quilt turned out. Sue is pulling the Box Car book set out to be read by some of the kiddos she works with in school. I remember just loving those books – I should make one of these to go with her books. Doesn’t it sound nice snuggling with a quilt while enjoying a good book?! Anyway – why do you think flannel is difficult to work with? I haven’t made anything yet except a denim and flannel rag quilt . . . and we wanted it to shrink. Have a blast at QuiltCon! ~smile~ Roseanne
It would be great to have a box car quilt for the box car stories!
Flannels are pretty uneven across the industry. Some are tightly woven and others are not. Even in this well done line some were more woven and prone to stretch and fraying. They definitely require washing and shrinking. Also seams are fatter so I think better suited to the old 5/8” for garment sewing but it’s a hard habit to go back to – I didn’t. I also wouldn’t do intricate piecing with it. That breakfast bag said it gives a lovely weight to the quilt and is oh so plush!!
Anything with Kaffe inspiration also inspires me. I agree that flannel can be difficult. I generally use it for small quilts for the neonatal unit. Thanks for showing yours.
You are so right about Kaffe – and flannel for the little ones and simple quilts.
Flannel is for pajamas, but I’ve started using it quilt backings. Never for the front though! Looks super snuggly!
I know – radical! It is perfect though and I love that I used some favorite stash for the back.
That is such a sweet quilt, Kathleen
Thanks, Brenda/
That is a lovely quilt. The colors are beautiful.
Thank you, Nancy.
As the mother of two boys, I can certainly understand your enthusiasm for a girly girl quilt. Enjoy!!
I have a husband, son and male dog….grew up with 4 brothers. Time for girly again in my life!
Your quilt is just lovely. Many times the simpler things (patterns included) turn out to be the nicest. Great theme for a blog hop.
Thank you! Just relaxing in the hotel in Nashville. Already have a story or two to tell. Enjoy the rest of your time in VT.
Pretty plaids. I love working with flannels. They make a great foundation fabric for wool applique.
Never thought of flannel for a wool appliqué background!
What a cuddly, sweet quilt, Kathleen! I love the simplicity of the design, too.
Thanks, Nancy. It was fun to do.
I love those bright and happy flannels and the design you chose showcases them perfectly 🙂
Why is it we buy these books with the best of intentions and yet we don’t make a single quilt from them?? Something attracted us to the book!! I love this quilt and the flannels will make it a love, warm quilt!
Your quilt looks fantastic. I bet it is cozy, comfy, and warm.
Hi Kathleen, what gorgeous fabric! That quilt will surely keep someone cozy 🙂
Oooohhhhhh those flannels. Oooooohhhhhhhhhh now I want to go play with some flannels. Oooooohhhhhh what have you done to my productivity?!??
Gorgeous, gorgeous quilt. Thanks for linking up to What I Made Monday!
Your quilt is so bright and happy! I love all the plaids and flannel is always so snuggly. Thanks for linking up to the UFO & WIP Challenge.
You are so welcome! I love this challenge.