Next up on my to-do list was to finish a quilt to gift to my second niece. Due to being a vigorous little lass trying to kick her way out (rather literally, unfortunately), we are expecting her a bit early via a scheduled birth on November 23rd, the day before Thanksgiving. Thankfully, I have her quilt done in plenty of time!
Plus Banner Quilt
In early December of last year, in preparation for being a Hive Mama for the Stash Bee in 2016, I knew I would need to post a tutorial for a block request on January 1st. I designed a quilt block and had gifting a quilt to my niece in mind. When I found out that my niece was going to become a big sister, I knew that the quilt would be a perfect baby quilt instead. So while I didn’t know how I would use these blocks at first, thanks so much to my hive members for contributing to this quilt!
Plus Banner Quilt
I backed and bound the quilt using a wide quilt backing: Artisan Spirit Shimmer in Fuchsia from BackSide Fabrics (note: while BackSide Fabrics is a blog sponsor, that is not an affiliate link).
Plus Banner Quilt
I tossed a color catcher in the wash with the quilt and I am so glad I did. I am not entirely sure what bled, but the plus in this corner is high on my suspicion list. 🙂 The color catcher did its job, and I am very impressed with how well they work.
Plus Banner Quilt
I quilted and stitched the binding down on the Plus Banner Quilt with 50wt Aurifil #5003 (Wine). I used a medium all over stipple, and I love how the quilt crinkled up in the wash. The 5003 blended in beautifully with the Artisan Shimmer fabric and after a wash is hard to see as a detail of color even against the bright white in the top.
Plus Banner Quilt – Backing and Label
Quilt Statistics
- Finished Flimsy: 56.5-inches square
- After Quilting and Binding: 55.25-inches square (2% shrinkage)
- After First Wash: 51-inches square (9% shrinkage)
Plus Banner Quilt
I used Quilter’s Dream Orient batting, and I get asked frequently if the amount of shrinkage is due to the fact I do not pre-wash my fabric (although, with bee blocks, I can’t say how all the fabric in this quilt top was treated). I think that 9% shrinkage is pretty typical for most of my quilts. I use either Quilter’s Dream Orient or Dream Green, and the density of my quilting does not seem to affect it. I even do occasionally pre-wash my fabric. I feel like the shrinkage has much more to do with my batting. Note I don’t have 100% scientific backing on that, it’s just my sense of why I consistently see 8-9% shrinkage in my quilts. I will say that they also do flatten and stretch back out a bit after use. The crinkle and cuddle factor after a first wash is really fun, though!
Linking up with Finish It Friday.
Lovely to read your post. It arrives in my in-box early morning, so when the family have got up and gone out, I look forward to reading my e-mails, (with coffee in hand), and I do so much enjoy reading what you’ve been up to. And i’m learning so much from reading how you work through your projects.
In this post I think it’s so lovely how you have been preparing a quilt for your new niece. There is the excitement of the arrival of a new member of the family. So many quilters/crafters/knitters make a blanket or quilt, to welcome a newborn! It’s a precious gift.
Have a wonderful day.
Regards from Isobel
Your quilt is beautiful and will wrap your niece in love! Good luck with the birth–which will make all of your family’s Thanksgivings that much more special!
I love the look of a freshly washed quilt, it gives them the ‘snuggle factor’. Lovely quilt Yvonne.
This turned out fantastic! I bet it will be well loved for a long time! I even found my block in it. 🙂
Pretty quilt, love the colors. It will be a treasure for the little one
Lovely! How nice you are ready before baby comes! And interesting about the shrinkage – I have rarely taken note of that. But I DO know that color catchers definitely can save the day!
This turned out perfect for a new niece. It sure looks cuddly. I would also agree that it is your batting causing the shrinking. Looking at the close-ups I can see the fabric bunch up which implies that the batting is smaller than the fabric. On one quilt that I didn’t want to shrink too much, I pre-shrunk my batting. I followed the manufactures directions and it worked very well. However, I have only tried it once with Warm and Natural batting.
This is such a cool take on the typical plus quilt, I really like it! I’m sure your new niece will be snug as a bug when she arrives! 🙂
I love quilters dream orient – it feels so soft but is not easy to get here. Lovely result and a gorgeous gift!
What a special gift from auntie. Did you make a big sister quilt? Thank you for sharing.
A very special quilt, and I hope the schedule does not have to be altered. Lovely colours and design, and the backing, perfect with those l on the front.
I’m so excited for you to give this to your new niece and that you will get to met her soon! This is a beautiful quilt and it looks so snuggly after its first wash.
Your quilt turned out wonderfully. I also love the crinkle factor after the first washing.
That’s a beautiful quilt! I agree, those color catchers are fabulous!
This is a lovely little quilt, Yvonne. Yay for your MQG quilt too. Arrived in my inbox this morning and I have downloaded already!
Beautiful quilt! What a blessing for your new niece!
Great finish! I love the crinkly look from a washed stippled quilt, it just looks so soft and cuddly!
It’s a lovely quilt, and all wrinkly and snugly looking!
Hurrah for colour catchers that do their job and crinkly washed quilts.
I hope your niece takes some pity on her mum in the little while between now and her birth. Kicking her way out? Ouch!
You baby quilt is adorable!
I love the crinkle quality of this quilt. it’s really a beautiful pattern for a baby. Good thing you used the color catchers. They really can save a quilt.
The quilt is gorgeous, Yvonne. I love the colours and the design. The block design is really perfect because it could look great in so many different colours, which means it could be made for anyone. I hope everything goes well with the little one’s arrival this week 🙂
This is such a great design Yvonne!