Gordon's Boat Quilt

Gordon's Boat Quilt

When my oldest son Gordon was a little boy, I started making little blocks with boats on them, thinking I would make this boat quilt for him.  I didn't know how to quilt, I didn't know how to applique, and I didn't know how to read and follow a quilt pattern.  But I wanted each block to be different.  I worked on the project very inconsistently and then it hibernated for about 25 years.

So, when Gordon told me that they were going to have a baby, I thought I should make the baby a quilt. Oh, and finish Gordon's boat quilt that was started in the 70's.  I made four or five more blocks to finish it off and some Debbie Mumm Noah's Ark fabric for setting triangles and border.  I took it all with me to California to finish while meeting the new baby. 




I didn't finish it.  I completed the top and Gordon chose backing and binding fabrics.  I put the three layers together and bound it.  Julie and I started pinning the layers, and then Julie finished pinning and tied it after I left to return home.  Thanks, Julie!

detail of Steamship

detail of boat blocks

detail of more boat blocks

detail of even more boat blocks

detail of label

Aidan's Baby Quilt

Aidan's Baby Quilt

This quilt was made to celebrate the arrival of my first grandson, Aidan.  I actually finished this while I was visiting Gordon, Julie and Aidan in California, the week after he was born.

This is the quilt that renewed my passion for making quilts.  After making the center boat motifs,  I made up the rest of it as I went along.  It was that creative process that I enjoyed so much.  All the fabrics and the design I used a northwest theme.

I got the center motif with the twelve boats from "Those Fabulous 30's: Sweet Little Quilts to Brighten Your Day" by Gwen Hurlburt.  Then I added borders to include footprints on the beach, big waves, beach shells, rainbows and forest.

detail of label

This particular label I got from a panel fabric of labels.  I chose the boat one because it fit the quilt. The fabric on the back of the quilt is sky blue with seagulls in flight.  The cornerstones on the front of the quilt are from the same seagull fabric.