Category: Projects

Nothing says love like a soft, handmade baby quilt, and this one was a delight to make.  The cute mom-to-be was a long ago babysitter for my kids, and now she’s expecting a baby boy of her own.  When I received a nautical themed shower invite and heard that her nursery was similarly decorated, I wanted to make a quilt that would fit right in.  So I made her an anchor baby quilt.


I used my anchor quilt block tutorial to make the anchor.  The gold and white stripe is a print by Victoria Findlay Wolfe that I love.  It contrasts well with the blue solid.


Piecing the quilt top was quick and simple. I bought two yards of the blue solid.  After making the anchor block, I cut three strips from the remaining blue:  20″ x width of fabric (WOF), 14.5″ x WOF, and 12″ x WOF.  From the 14.5″ wide strip I cut two pieces, one that is 17.5″ x 14.5, and one that is 10.5″ x 14.5.

I sewed the 10″ piece to the right of the anchor block. The 17.5″ piece went to the left of the anchor.  I sewed the 12″ strip across the bottom. The 20″ strip went on top to finish my anchor baby quilt top.  Easy as can be!


I used a higher loft batting so I could get a fun, puffy, watery look with my straight line quilting.


The back of the quilt is a cute whale sheet I had in my stash.  I bound the quilt with the last bit of blue fabric.


I enjoyed making this anchor baby quilt for an amazing young mother!  It was also fun to finally use my anchor block tutorial in a way I’d considered, but never tried.  Classy, but simple to make, gifts are always a win!

My Scrappy Friendship Quilt has another story to tell.  Several months ago I sat at a table with some of my best friends, all quilters.  We were laughing and talking as usual, and then the feeling came that I should share a burden I was carrying.  Being vulnerable is scary, even with people we love and trust, but I did it anyway.


My friends were amazing.  They accepted my story with compassion and kindness.


This quilt is made with scraps from all these friends.  I shared how we made it here , and I am increasingly grateful that we did it.  Shared burdens mean more reasons to treasure it.


I quilted my scrappy friendship quilt with straight lines spaced one inch apart.  When I found this colorful corduroy print I decided to try using it on the back.  I’m curious to see how it wears, and if I like the texture over time.  Right now I love it.


Now for a word about my quilt holder.  My second son has long been the guy who holds most of my quilts when I photograph them.  He’s quick to help, doesn’t complain, has strong arms and always makes me laugh.


He also left on a two year mission at the end of October.  One of the last things I did before we drove away to drop him off was to hand him this quilt for a photo.  I needed one more quilt that he’d held for me before he left.  When I handed it to him he laughed, and a tear slipped down his face. My husband took these pictures of him with the quilt, my quilt, made from scraps of my dear friends and sewn by all our hands.


I treasure these photos like I treasure my scrappy friendship quilt.  And I miss my boy but I’m so glad he’s growing up and willing to spend two years serving others and the Lord.  Oh the stories our quilts have to tell!