It's 2018. By this point, I've been making baby quilts left and right for nieces and nephews, friends and coworkers. But guess what? Now it's MY turn! We just found out we're having a little girl and I dove into all my favorite Rifle Paper Co florals and pulled out one of my simple and fast patterns because I'm puking and too tired to get off the couch.
Now it's 2024. That baby girl is five years old and tired from soccer. Her little sister has also grown out of this quilt and it's been relegated to covering legs in the car on a chilly morning. My friend and business partner is sitting across from me with her toddler on her lap while we edit photos and prepare to re-launch this pattern under a new name with expanded sizing and modifications. Life is nothing if not unpredictable, and currently so full of joy.
Made with various fabrics from my stash, I started with the blue and pink Rifle Paper Co florals and added from there. The chain and binding is the cute little navy and white hearts from a long-gone Bonnie and Camille line...The Good Life maybe? Moda Bella solid background and minky backing finished it up.
Notice the flat quilting? I made this quilt with no batting! I wanted to try it out since I had read about other quilters doing that with minky quilts. It gave me a really lightweight, drapey quilt for wrapping up my babies. Since this one, I still prefer batting so the quilting shows up better, but it has held up just perfectly over the years.
From her crib to her big girl bed in a house that's 1000 miles away from where this quilt was made...what a trip these tangible memories can take with us. :)
Happy sewing!
A-very-nostaglic-Rebecca and Cait
Pattern Details: Calendula Quilt
How about 20 quilts in one pattern?! Calendula is a beginner friendly pattern that comes in two variations, five sizes, and either variation can be modified to an even simpler block.
- Choose from a scrappy design or two-color version
- Want a faster, simpler block or featuring large scale fabrics? Choose the beginner modification that uses a solid square in the middle of the plus blocks
- Layer cake and fat quarter friendly
- Includes sizes baby-king
Skill level: Beginner
Find Calendula in the Pattern Shop