Monday 25 February 2013

Hip to be Square


This quilt top is in making terms what Heinz baked beans on toast is to a snack.  Instant gratification.

I held out for 2 months but resistance was futile.  I started something new. Ever since I saw Katy's giant Indie star, I knew I wanted to make one.  I happened to have 8 fat quarters of Amy Butler's Cameo but I needed some background fabric.

Despite carrying only hand luggage for her trip from the States to Morocco, I asked (cheeky? moi?) my friend Elizabeth to play fabric mule and bring over the requisite amount of Kona Navy and she agreed!

It's a lovely size of 68" square and I love it! I've always loved square quilts.  I see more in my future.

As a very small thank you to my friend, I made her a travelling tea bag wallet using Charlotte's tutorial, which is excellent! Well what else do you make an Englishwoman in New York? Again, a super quick and easy make. The only thing I fell down on was the ribbon as I only had a white one and a pale blue, cream or yellow one would have been infinitely nicer but we'll ignore the ribbon and concentrate on the fabric, which matches my triple zippie.


Then I filled it with some Earl Grey, Chai and lemon verbena tea bags.


Instant makes?  You gotta love 'em!

37 comments:

dutchcomfort said...

Love the star quilt and the tea- bag! I still enjoy the tin with gorgeous French blue earl grey you sent me from Paris last year. I safe it for special occasions!

dutchcomfort said...

I meant to say save... I’m always confusef by safe and save!

Charlotte said...

love the quilt, and YAY for the teabag wallet!!!!!

Deborah said...

Both projects are beautiful and neither one looks as easy as beans and toast to make! Those are the best kinds of projects!

heart of charnwood said...

Looks fab, and you're obviously better than me at dealing with big squares of fabric, I am so so rubbish at squaring them up! Love the colours, but can you please not finish it before i do mine in about 3 months or you'll make me look bad! ;)

Heather D. said...

Gorgeous Annabella!

Beans on toast - I must know more about this. :)

Fiona @ Poppy Makes said...

The teabag holder is great and I really love your quilt! I've been holding off making one too, but you're tempting me!

Cindy said...

Ha! Teabag holder. Of course it's perfect.
Gorgeous gorgeous quilt. Your prints are just beautiful with the Navy.

Quilting In The Cold said...

I love the quilt, the navy just makes those prints sing. What a fab quilt top.

Catherine said...

Absolutely lovely quilt! That's another one added to the list.

Anonymous said...

love your giant star!!

Kelly said...

Fabulous quilt and cute tea pouch!

UKMUMINUSA said...

Love the tea pouch, I seriously need to make one of those, I am an English tea drinker in a coffee drinking country (USA)! whenever I pop to see a friend I take my own teabags (tetleys or Yorkshire tea for me, which most people here don't have or have never heard of) out comes my little ziploc baggie, so elegant! so I think this tea pouch would be perfect.

Canadian Abroad said...

Haven't you been busy! I really want to make one of those giant stars too. Nice thank you gift for your friend.

elsy said...

love the colours of this top....and the tea pouch, what a great idea

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

Smashing!

Yon Quilting Wife said...

What a lovely gift.
My girlfriend sarah mad a couple of these star quilts. I am really tempted now I have seen what you have both made. I love the deep blue you used.

Kirsten said...

I have made a couple of these quilts now as it is such a great pattern - love yours with the dark background.

Katy Cameron said...

Yay, so glad the fabric gods aligned for you, it looks great :o) Love the wee wallet too

Jenelle said...

This is beautiful and bold! Now Katy and you and have matching quilts. :) Your friend is awesome to bring you fabric! I think the tea wallet is a great thank you (I might have to keep that idea in mind).

Catherine said...

Love your star quilt. I made one last year and it is the most used in the house-great way to show case your fabric

Lucy | Charm About You said...

Gorgeous star! I agree square quilts are so satisfying :) The tea bag wallet is really cute and a lovely gift :)

cheeky monkey said...

The tea walled is adorable! Gorgeous star

Judith, Belfast said...

Wow! That's one stunning giant star! Love it! And aren't those teabag wallets so cute and easy! Great wee pressies! Jxo

QuiltCandy said...

I just adore that star in those fabrics! and the tea bag holder - brilliant!

Susan said...

Your star quilt is really pretty! And the tea bag wallet is a perfect thank you! Win-win!

www.randomthoughtsdoordi.com said...

love your giant star quilt. I think the navy is the perfect fabric to show off the fabrics. How will you quilt it. I have 2 of them to quilt before the finish along first quarter is due.

ScissorsandThread said...

Love this! I've been admiring Katy's for ages too and think my resistance is waning! Maybe I'll downsize it to make a baby quilt as then there is more chance of me getting it quilted!

Trudi said...

The star quilt is gorgeous! Gotta love quick big makes! And I need a tea bag wallet, better get on that too!

Sarah said...

This quilt design formed part of my lunchtime conversation with Judith on Saturday as I am desperate to make one for the very reason you describe - instant gratification. Yours is adding to the temptation, and I love the navy solid making your fabrics become a real statement. Enjoy your quilt!

Nicky said...

Great star Annabella! Just the gorgeous colours and bold prints I look forward to seeing from you!

You have me with that tea wallet with that gorgeous print inside - one of my favs!

Collette said...

that star quilt is awesome and really great for showcasing fabrics isn't it? love that little tea wallet !

Janine @ Rainbow Hare said...

This quilt looks wonderful. Those prints are fabulous against the navy background. And the tea wallet is perfect :)

Very Berry Handmade said...

Fabulous star... the contrast between the Cameo prints and the navy is just lovely. I think I am going to make one too, AND steal Katy's quilting idea. I love that little teabag wallet too...

Sarah said...

I love the star. The navy background is fabulous! Great choice. Being a fabric mule is so much more safer than contraband! I'm such a tea lover. I think it's my English heritage. I love the idea of coffee and the smell, but not so much drinking it. I'm a tea girl. The tea bag caddy is a nifty idea.

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

Fabulous star quilt - your choice of colours and fabrics is perfect!! Love it!

Carla said...

Your big star is fabulous!!