When you have a long-time friend, each milestone is I think, all the sweeter. My Auntie heart is full these days, my sweet friend from kindergarten is having a boy! Here is, yes, another one of my quilts, and yes - Pooh themed again! Pooh was one of our favorites growing up and I was perfectly inspired to give a Winnie the Pooh theme quilt another go.

(If you missed my other Winnie the Pooh Quilt check it out here)

My friend, a dedicated athlete was known for wearing mismatched socks. Didn’t matter if it was work or a race. This quilt I wanted to have a charming, cozy, mismatched quality. Whatever yellow outfits pair with this quilt are going to match and be versatile for the nursery. A great backdrop for the gazillion pictures for the pictures they can send to Aunt K.

I peppered some nudes/neutrals into the yellow. I think this will help it feel less “Maize Yellow” …though, this U of M fan Mom-to-be probably wouldn’t have minded. We I both like gingham, so I didn’t shy away from the print in different various.

When I do a “random” pattern, it’s never really random. It feels similar to painting a star-filled sky, it can be tricky to look natural. I spend however long it takes to arrange the colors. I’m easing going about it. Maisey regularly runs through my layout so I’m open to having the pattern evolve in the process.

I find it’s a little easier to manage things in large chunks. By creating the four block squares, I can continue to switch around blocks. The bigger the blocks become the less flexibility in the pattern I have. To me, this feels natural and more playful than taking it row by row. I think my corners turn out better too.

Squares make a simple quilt, not the most technically difficult but the small size squares, the hand stitching and color scheme, result in what I thinks is a sweet and old-fashioned look. Two needle at a time? Why not. I load up 4 needles and go through those twice in an evening sitting.

Here is how it looks after the wash perfectly wrinkly-soft.

I went with more gingham for the back. Baby blue back for a baby boy…. I bought this particular gingham in a large quainty because it works so well for baby boy projects.

Hope your day is as carefree as a walk in the hundred-acre woods.

Keep heart,

Kirbi

Happy Fall!

I don’t know about where you are but here in Michigan we’ve had a stunning fall so far. Sometimes There’s snow… there’s always rain but this year has been sunny and bright. As many of you know, when I’m not drawing and painting I’m sewing. For the first time, I’d like to sell one of my baby/toddler quilts.

It’s hard to let some of my works of art go and this one is no different. My hope in selling this is that it lands in the hands of someone who can love on it and that the funds can allow me to continue to make these special, one-of-a-kind creations.

The fall-inspired quilt has a hint of horses! The design is a star, that my sister and I teamed up to design. Stars in quilts historically have a special significance. When a woman would leave her town to travel west, her friends would each make a star block that they would put together into a larger quilt. Consider this big star my well wish to its new owner!

This quilt is 100% cotton, oversized baby/toddler quilt about 40 x 40 inches. I use the highest quality cotton. (I’ve already washed it so you don’t have to worry about shrinking!)

The back of the quilt is chocolate brown and the star pattern is visible on the back as well. I used a free motion technique to create the meandering lines as well as loop-de-loops to accent some of the squares.

This quilt is a heavier style quilt, with 4 layers of fabric total. One the edges is a satin cream edging - just like my childhood blanket.

The price of this handmade quilt is $95. Free shipping (US only.) To purchase this quilt please reach out to me via Facebook or email kirbifagan@gmail.com

Hello!

I’m writing you comfortably in my PJs from my home studio surrounded by a mess of projects. When my sister told me she was pregnant, I pictured myself sitting quietly, sewing things for my nephew-to-be, dreaming of all the wonderful things to look forward through. In reality, I’ve been stress buying fabric in bulk and have wracked up quite a to-be-sewn pile. I’ll have to sew my way out of it and of course leave enough time for drawing and painting! Did I mention I’m taking up the harmonica? We recently received a free set of harmonicas, if our neighbors don’t kill us, I think we found another fun thing to do in the evenings.

Fall is here in Michigan and I thought today would be a perfect day to share this new quilt I made for my cousin’s new babe! How about this for some fall color!?

To create this one I used “The Waterhole” collection by Riley Blake Designs. I paired it with a Kona solid on the back for a bold vintage looking color. I regret that I do not remember the name of this color.

I pieced this quilt in a spontaneous fashion building around the center block in the usual “log cabin quilt as you go way.” I maintained the upright position of all the fabric’s artwork as I went. I added some thinner strips for variety as well.

Working as I go gave me the opportunity to highlight some parts of the fabric with a little bit of a fussy cutting. But not too fussy!

My Juki continues to be a workhorse. I had some issues recently but I took her to the shop and a quick clean and rebalancing of the machine got her throwing good stitches again. That’s one of the reasons my piles got so out of control, my machine was out of commission for a while. I didn’t know what to do with myself in the evenings without my machine.

This baby quilt is a little oversized, I liked the idea of a more “portrait” style shape. This sweet new babe is Iowa so I doubled up 100% cotton batting and it gives this quilt big fluff.

I thought I’d wrap up and share this photo of my aunt finding SUMMER OF THE TREE ARMY at a Michigan book shop! Thanks for everyone’s support of my work - I do not share my appreciation nearly enough as my heart feels it.

I hope the fall breeze comes through your windows today and refreshes your soul as it is doing for me.

Kirbi