Blogger's Quilt Festival - Spring 2010

Molly's Wonky Log Cabin

If you have followed my blog for more than a nano second, you know that my ratio of quilt tops to finished quilts is about 10:1.  And that is why I am choosing a quilt that was finished last September for the Blogger's Quilt Festival (Spring 2010).

This quilt started -- like so many of my other quilts -- as a whim.  I noticed the John (aka Quilt Dad) was leading a wonky log cabin quilt-along on Flickr for the Old Red Barn Company, and I thought it looked like a lot of fun.   So I jumped right in with both feet and began cutting and organizing strings and combining them with strings that I already had in a couple of baskets. 

Samantha and I frequently differ on the proper use of strings and baskets.

This was a good start, but I ended up needing more fabric and had to order some online.  I had a lot to do while I waited for the fabric to arrive.

My first wonky block!

The blocks were so fun to make and began to multiply quickly.  My son walked by at one point, watched me carefully place my ruler just so, and then angle it and make my cut.  He smiled and commented that I was really having fun making things crooked.  Oh, yes I was!

I made several blocks at one time (assembly line style), choosing several centers, then adding the first log to each, then a second log to each, etc.  It went pretty quickly that way.  I made the mistake of stacking some of the blocks on top of a string basket and look who re-purposed it!

I don't remember when exactly, but at some point in this early process, Molly asked if the quilt could be for her, and I agreed -- as long as she could sneak it away from Sammy.

I added four final logs in white to each of the 25 blocks to function as wonky sashing.

The quilt was machine quilted by Karen Walker (Stitches).  

When I posted a picture of the finished quilt on Facebook, a friend teased that I should send it to her, prompting Molly to post this on my FB wall:

"... Also, some woman named "Brigitte" (if that is her real name ;)) is trying to steal my quilt! You will have to tell her how precious your quilts are and that if she wants to get her hands on one she has to call dibs long before there are pictures of it up on facebook. I have found the most effective time to snag one is during the piecing stage. I love you!"

So true!  For me, making the quilt is all about the design process, with very little thought as to the purpose or destination of  the finished product.  Clever girl!

This is a close-up of the back.  It's hard to tell, but notice the little bits of turquoise in the leaves that coordinate with the turquoise on the front.

I think this is Molly's favorite quilt.  And this is why I so enjoy making quilts for her -- because she truly loves, values, and appreciates them.  And I know that because of her handmade quilts, her dorm room looks a little homier, she stays a little warmer, and she sleeps wrapped in her mother's love every night.  

With wishes, true and kind -- Joan