Throw Back Thursday . . . I Spy Quilt

This "I Spy" quilt came to be while I was planning a picnic blanket for my niece and her family.  I wanted the quilt to be kid friendly and fun to look at while they ate, played, or dozed in the sun. After much playing and pondering,  I combined a fun jelly roll, the striped material (both purchased years ago) with fabulous novelty fabrics that a friend generously shared with me.  I admit I had to buy two different fabrics as the alternating block before settling on the yellow.  I originally planned to quilt the pantograph pattern "Whimsy" on it, I actually had pinned it on the machine, laid the pattern down and while I was sewing the top down, I suppose the quilt just started "speaking" to me, and wow, did it have a lot to say!  What started out as a quick quilting job turned into a few days of fun.  I drew out the quilt on paper to plan exactly what to quilt and where.

The entire alphabet, letters 1 - 10, basic shapes, 4 words, a snowman, a tree, a car, a flower can all be found in the quilting of this quilt.  I further challenged myself by attempting to quilt a different

pattern on each of the jelly roll fabrics bordering the novelty fabric.  I also tried to quilt differently on each the striped fabric on the sides.   Fun, fun, fun!  I did not take enough photos because I was trying to get it done before my niece and her family came for Thanksgiving this past year.  I also didn't get a chance to post about it around that time due to the busy season!  It would have been nice to have shown the quilt at my guild meeting, but it was wonderful to give the quilt in person, instead of mailing it.

My great nephew's reaction was well worth it!!  He loved it and I was thrilled when he immediately noticed the quilting and saw the letters and symbols.  He had a blast playing I spy with his cousins and parents.  I am sure he will get a lot of use from this quilt.  The backing is a really fun fabric, and the colors really work with it.  I have additional blocks with much more girly fabric from the jelly roll and have the accompanying fabric purchased, now just need to find the time to sew that one together !   Happy Stitching!