Week 1 of the 52 Quilts Challenge and I’m starting off with a project I LOVE! Follow along as each week I turn my UFOs (unfinished objects) into WIPs (works in progess) with weekly reveals of the quilt finishes!
Read more about the challenge in my 52 Quilts Challenge kickoff post!
The Back Story
When my dear friend Rhonda told me she was going to be a grandmother for the first time, I knew EXACTLY what I was going to do. Make a baby quilt of course!
Rhonda and her husband, “Coach”, are very dear friends of ours. There are some friendships that while you don’t get to connect often, you just have that emotional connection all the same. Coach and Rhonda are some of those people for us.
We first met when my husband (DH) and his colleague were looking for a weightlifting coach to supplement their training. They’d heard of a local “Jedi” — an Olympic style weightlifter with a reputation for being a wise Obi-Wan type.
Thankfully, Coach said yes! That was about two years before my first child was born. Around that same time, I was falling headfirst into quilting. I later discovered that his wife, Rhonda, happened to be a talented quilter. We bonded over quilt designs but so much more over family…
Blooming Friendship
Those early parenting years were intense. My firstborn was a joyful force of nature who taught us the true meaning of tired. Rhonda was one of the most authentic and validating mom-friends I had. Her calm reminders — “it’s fine, it’s all fine” — were exactly what I needed to hear at a time that I was truly losing the plot. And Coach? He was the reassuring voice for my husband, reminding him that we’d survive a second child just fine.
So what did we do when our 2nd child, our daughter was born? Make Coach and Rhonda her godparents of course! And what wonderful godparents they’ve been.
Despite living hours away, we still connect from time to time. They have remembered our kids with sweet gifts here and there to commemorate holidays, back to school, etc. Often these gifts were sewn and we adored each of them!
Quilt #52 (Week 1) – A Quilt for Gia
When Rhonda shared that her eldest daughter was expecting a baby, we were overjoyed. And I knew just how to celebrate: a quilt for baby Gia.
There’s something magical about stitching love for one generation into fabric for the next. ❤️
Searching for the Perfect Pattern
I looked high and low through my saved Pinterest boards and Instagram posts for the right pattern. I LOVE making baby quilts because I get a chance to try new patterns in low stakes ways. As I sew, I pour in well wishes and prayers — tiny blessings for the little blessing.
My dearest hope for all my baby quilt gifts is that they’ll be loved, dragged, spilled on, and used to tatters. These aren’t meant to be heirlooms — they’re meant to be used and worn out.
I adore making oversized baby quilts (more like throw sized). Oversized baby quilts just can be used in so many ways. Big enough for tummy time or toddler naps, but still small enough for a child to drag everywhere.
When I found Teresa’s (of teresadownunder.com) Color Wash Disappearing 9 Patch Tutorial – I knew I’d struck gold! And the pattern was free!
Note: Just a heads-up for the 52 Quilts Challenge… many of my projects will feature fabrics that are no longer available. I started this challenge to finish the galaxy of UFOs I’ve collected over the years! But these patterns can easily be remade with whatever fabric lines speak to you.
The Making
You simply must see Teresa’s original and the free pattern here!
Maker’s Notes
- Pattern: Color Wash Disappearing 9-Patch by TeresaDownUnder
- Finished Size: ~41″ × 54″ (though mine never turn out exactly the same… sigh)
- Fabric: Strawberry Lemonade by Sherri & Chelsi for Moda Fabrics (60 charm squares needed)
- Background Fabric: Coriander Seeds White Vines (48 charm squares but I just bought yardage)
- Backing Fabric: Strawberry Carnation (back)
- Purchased from: Fat Quarter Shop
- Blocks: 12 total in 3 x 4 layout.
- Quilting: Longarm quilted by my local quilt shop, The Quilt Peddler with meandering strawberries – so cute!
Details
I used the Strawberry Lemonade line by Sherri & Chelsi for Moda Fabrics which just delighted me to no end. The colors were simply rich and gorgeous. Bonus points that some of the prints incorporated small strawberries. Strawberries have a very special place in my heart – having lived near one of the strawberry capitals of the world. Plus, my mom made the most wonderful strawberry jam each year, a wonderful memory for me… 🍓
This was a great pattern for using a beautiful charm pack. The white background adds a simple base for color magic. AND if laid out thoughtfully could create a color wash effect like Teresa’s did from the original pattern. Her tutorial didn’t quite explain how to accomplish that, but I wanted to try my hand at it!
To achieve the gentle color wash effect, I tried to avoid repeating fabrics in each block. I played with transitions to see if I could get them to melt into each other just right. The charm pack you choose will definitely require you to be a bit flexible in your “rules”, however.
I’ll be honest — I was shocked it worked! Not because the pattern was lacking, but because I couldn’t quite picture it until the final seams came together. Spoiler: I love it…
Below is a video clip of me arranging one of the blocks to suit my preference – this is how the block goes from 9 patch to disappearing 9 patch!
Risk of Color Bleed
I knew I wanted the bright contrast of the crisp white background and saturated colors of the charm squares. I wanted strong contrast and for it to be so colorful and practical. Baby messes don’t show up as easily on dark fabric!
BUT… I was highly concerned that the saturated red backing would bleed onto the bright white background fabric. So, I did a little experiment. I tossed in two Shout Color Catcher sheets. Follow up post soon on the use of the color catchers. Sneak peak, it took several washes but the white fabric survived!
This little quilt reminded me why I started the 52 Quilts Challenge in the first place — to celebrate love, color, and the stories stitched between them.
The Reveal
Here she is – Gia’s Color Wash Baby Quilt! I’m still working on video quality – suggestions super welcome! Click the video for the full reveal…
Do you think I pulled it off?
Explore the 52 Quilts Challenge Index! Follow every weekly quilt finish, creative story, and colorful reveal from the sewing studio. Plus, follow me on Instagram to see more from the 52 Quilts Challenge.
If you enjoyed this first reveal, you’ll love following along as the 52 Quilts Challenge unfolds.
Happy sewing!!
