I signed up what seemed ages ago to sew with the Fat Quarter Shop and my dream finally came true! I am so happy to share with you my version of the Jolly Bar Jumble quilt. I was able to select the fabrics I wanted to use and am happy to have you join in the party.
The Pattern and Fabric
Jolly Bars are a part of Fat Quarter Shops proprietary fabric cuts for quick quilts and that is just what this is – 5″ x 10″ precut stack of fabric. This pattern is free and so much fun and it comes in 3 sizes; baby (48″ x 48″), large lap (64″ x 80″) and a Queen at (80″ x 96″). My frame is small so I opted for the baby size.
I choose Fiesta, by Me & My Sister Designs. This is just a fun collection of fabrics and would be perfect for Jumble! I decided to be a bit different and chose the dots as a background.
Here you can see an EQ rendering of the two different versions, one with a white and one with the dots. Now, I know a lot of young mothers wouldn’t want a white quilt…kids are messy, but the dots with the white are so much more fun. The white is a bit brighter, and the dots are more playful. Every quilter gets to make her own decision and mine was to go with the dots!
Making the Quilt
How fast was this to make? Well, I used my GE Designs Ruler* to cut the pieces…it made it fast for both the background and the Jolly Bar pieces. As you can see, I also used the arrows* to ensure my accuracy and not forgetting which was the correct line on which to sew!
In no time at all, I had the pieces cut for the quilt and was ready to sew.
I put the smaller four patches together and then the larger four patches. I then put it on my design wall and moved squares around until it was pretty pleasing. Then sewed the columns together and webbed the entire top. I have to say I am a huge fan of “webbing” as it makes sewing those last seams so easy. Brenda, who blogs at Songbird Designs, has a great slide show on how to web a block. Check it out here.
Isn’t this tool cute??? I bought form Alycia’s Quilts Etsy store and I love it. Often time, I wrap my binding on toilet paper rolls but this behaved nicely on the floor as I attached my binding. Go get one, or two or a few for you quilty friends – I highly recommend it!
Quilting the Quilt
I decided to do a rather open quilting pattern for this quilt. This always gives a nice texture for the quilt and this will be a quilt to be used. I often like the pantograph to contrast with the hard lines and I can picture a young child tracing the teardrop shapes. “All Over Texture” is by Darlene Epp and comes with Prostitcher; but is also available at Urban Elementz and other stores.
I always love seeing the quilt on the frame. In this photo, you can see the texture created by the design on the bottom half. I used a Quilters Dream Cotton, select white batting. It isn’t high loft, but you see the design very well on it.
Can I tell you how much I love this back? It glows and makes me smile every time I see it next to the quilt as I quilted it.
For quilting thread, I used Superior Fantastico #5170, called Pixie Dust. It has a very light variegation in pastel tones, that makes it lovely on baby quilts. The bottom was a thread I love, a green Madiera Aeroquilt 8990 called Sour Apple. My quilts don’t often lend themselves to green thread, but when they do, I love using this color.
Quilt Stats
Jolly Bar Jumble 48″ x 48″
Pattern: Jolly Bar Jumble, Fat Quarter Shop
Threads: Piecing: Aurifil Dove
Quilting: Pixie Dust Fantastico & Sour Apple AeroQuilt Madeira
Batting: Quilters Dream Select Cotton
Pantograph: Darlene Epp, All Over Texture
This Coming Up on My Blog
I have a quilt ready to bind and the binding made…maybe I can attack it this week while I am cooking & prepping for Thanksgiving.
Quilt: Yoga 2
Baby quilts (3 to make – 2 easy ones, a 3rd is a bit harder)
Playtime!
Linking Up With
Monday Musings
TGIFF
Favorite Monthly Finish
Fabric Destash
So I sent some fabric to friend, bought more of the alphabet panels for the baby quilts, and some pieces for backs and another boat project.
Purchased November: 7 yards
Fabric Used November: 10.5 yards
YTD Fabric Purchased: 50.25 yards
YTD Fabric Used: 113.75 yards
Grand total: -63.5 yards
You had the perfect fabrics for this project. So cute!
The backing is perfection. I’m especially excited to see the design you showcased in Tips and Tutorials is a real and finished quilt!
Thank you for linking up with Favorite Finish; it’s delightful and I can see why it’s your favorite this month.
Great selection of fabrics! It is very happy!
What a great quilt!!! Love your colour selection and the background! Perfect!
Super cute baby quilt, Kathleen!!! Love that you chose the perky dots for the background! And those stickers–lifesavers!!! Or maybe I should say quilt savers!!! Fun quilting! Happy Thanksgiving!!!
I think my comment disappeared so I’m going to try again! Love your choice of perky dots for background, Kathleen! Cute backing, binding and quilting! Happy Thanksgiving!!!
I too like the choice of dots–so fun and yep, more practical. Great quilt!
That back is terrific! I also love the double-loops quoting design. I’ve done it as a meander as Leanne does but I like it in rows too. Must try it. Great finish Kathleen all round!
How adorable is this quilt!!! Wonderful job from the design to the execution. I am eagerly waiting my Pro-Stitcher!!! I just ordered it. Thanks for linking with TGIFF!
Super cute quilt, Kathleen!!
Love this, Kathleen! I really like the dots instead of the plain background, and that backing is wonderful! Awesome! Thanks for sharing with us at Monday Musings!
I definitely would have chosen the dots over the solid white, it just makes the quilt so colorful. I do love the backing too. Great quilt! I do have some Jolly Bars which have been sitting in my stash for too long.
Very colorful and pretty quilt.