PROJECT: Tea Quilt

The domain of quilting is territory somewhat unexplored for me. I made two crib size quilts for my daughter when I found out that I was having a girl. I mean the DAY I found out I was having a girl. The sheer glee of sewing with pink inspired me to whip off a rag quilt and a minky backed quilt in a what seemed like no time. I just remember being so happy sewing those together knowing that my daughter would someday use them.

Okay - so what does that have to do with today? I have begun to piece a long queen size quilt. After a LOT of thought about design and color and pattern, which is ongoing, I chose Tina Givens' Tea Quilt pattern and a mix of some of my most favorite fabrics ever. Kaffe Fassett's Suzani in Red (below) is simply stunning - cannot imagine a prettier fabric - so I had to include it here. I also love Tina Givens' Heaven in the Oberon Red colorway and all of Anna Maria Horner's prints, but the Social Climber in gold (above) is to die for. Oh, and I almost forgot Amy Butler's Acanthus in Teal (not pictured here) - divine! I love it even more in olive, but that didn't work with the other prints I have chosen.

Yesteday I pieced and sewed three blocks and snapped pics this morning. I also realized that there is no way I will be able to machine quilt this baby - it's HUGE. Then again, maybe there is a way... I have to look into it more. The thought of hand quilting anything makes me want to run for the hills. I get antsy just thinking about sitting still that long!

P.S. A coworker and his wife are expecting twin girls - how adorable, right? I have been trying to figure out what to make for a shower gift. I think I have decided on a pile of bibs because I never really wanted to buy bibs myself, but babies definitely need them. Plus, I could make really pretty, girly bibs. I was going to use my pattern when I started thinking about quilted bibs I had seen on Etsy... I modified my pattern and gave machine quilting a shot with this bib. Let's just say I have a LOT to learn!!! Here is my first one.