Sunday, December 2, 2012

Bricks and Stepping Stones

My latest project has been one I have wanted to do for some time, Bonnie Hunter's Brick's & Stepping Stones pattern, and suddenly I had the perfect reason.  The black and white checkerboard was perfect for this occasion.



I needed a quick quilt for someone and I wanted to use something from my precut scraps.  So, I sorted through my large "bricks" and tried to pick out fabrics that didn't read too feminine - this is going to a male.  The hardest part about this quilt was narrowing down my fabrics. Flowers still crept in there; he'll just have to overlook them.  If I could have been more random (like I usually work) this quilt would have been a snap.  

Once I had everything sorted I was on my way....


I recommend this pattern to anyone looking for a fun, fast quilt.  I think it would also be fun with all the bricks being in one color family like red, or blue, etc.

The backing was another matter.  Doing this project made me realize my backing fabrics are really more feminine or geared to specific quilts that I have in mind. I also tend to buy backing only as I finish quilts. So I had to dig deep and I came up with this green homespun plaid that I think worked out fine. (It's much darker than the picture shows.)  Then I quilted it with an all over design called Spiral Path by Desert Stitches and you can see a bit of it in the picture below with the snowman.


The snowman has nothing to do with this quilt - I just thought I would add it to the picture to make it more interesting.  I purchased him at a quilt shop that was going out of business.  Isn't he cute?  I don't have the patience to make stuff like that.....just quilts.  ;)

I washed the quilt to take care of colorfastness.  Since I was using scraps, and some of them are fairly old, I didn't want to take the chance they would bleed when the recipient washed the quilt. Generally, I am not a pre-washer of fabrics, unless they are batiks,  and darks such as reds, blues, blacks that are going to be against lights. I have never (knock on wood) had a problem and did not this time either.



I will probably link up to Judy L's on Monday so be sure to check out what others are doing on their design boards.  There are so many wonderfully creative people out there and it is generous of  Judy to let us link up there.

Have a wonderful week and a great start to December - WOW this year has flown by!

16 comments:

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

that is a really neat pattern - I made one something like this but in the 4 patch area it is just a white block - your version really changes it up.

Lee said...

Indeed this year has flown by! I'm in complete agreement there. Your Bricks and Stepping Stones is very nice - I should think your recipient will be very pleased with it.

Kathy P said...

That quilt is gorgeous, Judy! I'm sure he'll love it - the colors are so rich!

Anonymous said...

Love that "Spiral Path" quilting. Looks like it would be a fun one to do! The snowperson is sweet! Love that piecing.....

Dogwood Lane Rambles said...

Love the look of this quilt it's such a nice use of a lot of stash fabric. The black and white really makes it pop.

AnnieO said...

Beautiful version of this quilt! It does sew up quick. I like your quilting too. I seldom buy large chunks of fabric either, unless for specific projects, so my backs are almost always pieced. Who is the lucky owner of these Bricks and Stepping Stones?

antique quilter said...

the quilt is wonderful! I bet he is going to love it .
the quilting is perfect.

ok that snowman is just the cutest thing ever! love that he is made from a plaid fabric.
just adorable. I don't have the patience to make things like this either I would have bought him in a second if I saw him too!

Kathie

Glen QuiltSwissy said...

love this pattern, what a great quilt!

Dawn said...

Beautiful quilt - what a wonderful gift.
Sweet snowman!
Thanks for sharing!

Teresa Rawson said...

I've got some pieces already cut for this quilt...somewhere...I had forgotten until seeing your beautiful finish! I love that pattern - the 4-patches really make it have zing!

In stitches,
Teresa :o)

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

Love it!! Every man needs a flower or two in his life - so its all good!

Beth in MN said...

Love the Bricks & Stepping stones quilt. Yaaa! You have yours all done. I have been cutting pieces for it as I cut up scraps but have not sewn anything for it. Hi from Beth in MN.

Barb said...

Oh wow...just love your quilt!

Lori said...

Isn't that a great pattern--its my "go to" pattern also. I've replaced the black with navy, purple, red-hmm--some more I can't remember. Its a great pattern as there is no background fabric--it uses up stash! When I sort my scraps those bricks are ones I cut and toss in a basket. it looks awesome--that guy is lucky!

Barb said...

what a nice quilt - the black and white patches add so much sparkle!
what a cute primitive snowman.

Sarah Martin said...

Wow, nice finish! I really like the borders and the rich colors overall. That will be a super present for a guy. (or anyone!)
Hey, what IS up with the time flying? 2012 has been some kind of mini year, I think.