Bow Quilt Top
I finished a quilt top! It was an easy one to put together, and it felt like a great way to begin a new month. Four simple rows, large top and bottom borders, and it is ready for quilting. Here is my Bow Quilt top!
After finishing all the blocks , I didn’t worry much about the layout. I believe I’ve shared this before, but I don’t typically stress much about block layout when piecing together a quilt. It seems like there will always be a reason to keep moving them around. I guess I’m too impatient for that; I just want to sew them together! But it’s more, because I feel like part of the beauty is letting them fall where they may. If you’re going to say it’s a “random” layout, why fuss over it for an hour?
For example, I honestly didn’t think twice about the aqua fabrics being so close to one another until I took this photo. I think if all the colors and fabrics in the quilt are beautiful together, then it shouldn’t matter much where they all end up. So that’s what I did, and I like it.
Sewing my blocks together got me excited about this project once again. I am planning several more complex applique projects, and was anxious to complete this one. My bow blocks had ceased to be interesting to me, but together they look so cute!
My daughter Liberty took one look at these blocks and decided it’s her favorite quilt ever, which makes me happy. I’ll give the quilt to her when it’s finished. The pattern is the Bow Quilt by Carolyn Friedlander , and I highly recommend it. Carolyn’s patterns are always well written and fun to make. I altered mine, though, and split the background fabric in half, sewing one piece to the top and one to the bottom. This places the rainbows across the center of the quilt instead of at the bottom. Liberty agreed. We both want the rainbows to be seen easily across the center.
I feel great about finishing my Bow Quilt top. I nearly set this project aside to work on other things, but decided to finish it instead. Now I’m happy to have my first quilt top of the year instead of another stack of blocks, and another item on my list. Perhaps 2023 can be a year for finishing old projects? With QuiltCon 2023 around the corner, it feels good to have this one done. No need to let it languish past the year mark.
Hooray for a finished quilt top!
Did you do the needle turn applique? I have the templates and the pattern, but want to do machine applique. While I internally debate a method, I’ve been searching the internet for other makers who have made Bow.
Hi Chaeralee, thanks for your comment. I did needle turn, as it’s a method I really enjoy. I especially like having a project when I’m in my car waiting for my kids or on the go elsewhere. I think this is a great pattern for beginning hand applique. Good luck with your decision!