Scrappy Umbrella Quilt

     

     Pat Sloan has a new challenge going on her blog.  She is going to put out a monthly challenge to help all of us use up our scraps.  This month the challenge is to make a quilt top up using 2 1/2 inch squares.  She didn't give you a pattern or a setting or to many rules.  Just a few suggestions. 

     One of those suggestions is to use 2 1/2 squares of a fabric with a small print on it.  That print is then used to go with your scrap squares. So for me,  I am making 16 patches.  8 of the print fabric and 8 of scrap squares. So I made lots of chains and came up with a 16 patch like this. 

     The print has small red and black umbrellas on it.  I decide to frame the 20 blocks I made with black solid fabric.  I used 1 1/2 inch sashing to equal a finished inch. I then sewed the quilt up to make it 4 wide by 5 down. 

     I then had to make the hardest decision on this quilt. I couldn't decide on which red fabric blend to use.  I am short in my stash of reds from another quilt I have been cutting for. So I decided that this swirl would work since it went with the other small print.  I cut this at 2 3/4 inches to make a 2 1/4 inch finished frame.

     I then framed the outside with a black fabric with White dots. I cut this at 4 inches as the final frame!! 

     As the binding I couldn't decide either.     I thought about going scrappy,  but ended up using red fabric with dots! 

     For the backing I used 2 pieces of polka dot out of my stash and leftovers from my sashing to make the back piece. 

     I quilted it by doing big circle swirls in all the 16 patches.  One of my other goals this year is to become proficient at new FMQ techniques.  I think I am doing well at this!!  Then I did simple waves in the red and black boarder. 

     For some reason the 16 patches did not end up square and my speedy self did not square them up before putting them together.  So I had to square up the outside frame to even up the quilt. Others might not notice,  but I do.  And yes I chose not to tear the quilt apart.  It bunched up in the back in an area and I did not find this til later.  I decided imperfect will be fine.  I hope....

     This quilt is for my friend Guinn.  She has been battling cancer.  I am sending it to her to wrap her in love and give her a smile!!!  I know she is going to survive this like she has every other battle in her life!!!  I hope she likes my imperfect quilt.   Here we are together with the quilt!!