Shane's quilt.

If you have a rotary cutter, mat and ruler and can sew a straight line, you can make a quilt. 
I PROMISE.
(All caps because I mean it.)

I am easily bored, far from precise, and if I can make one without setting fire to my sewing machine, anyone can.
 The thing is, you have to pick a pattern with big blocks that don't have to line up.
I learned that that the hard way with my second quilt.
Which I still love, but it is CRAZYYYY!
1/4 inch off here and there is apparently a really, really, really big deal.

So when I came across the Road Trip Quilt from Cluck Cluck Sew, I knew that it would be just perfect to redeem my quilting drought.
You see I started Janey's forever and ever ago, and now it is collecting dust.  Taunting me with it's tricky unfinishedness.
When and if I ever finish it, the craziness will be the talk of the longarm quilting shop.  Believe you me.

Just to prove my point, I made this happy mix of awesome in two sittings.  With a tiny newborn.
For reals.
It's that easy.
One night to cut.
One night to piece, sew, and iron.

Then I box it up, along with a yard of fabric for the binding, send it off to The Back Porch Quilters, stalk my mailman for a week or two, get it back, rip it open, race to the laundry room, wash and dry it, then freak out at the crinkly radness.

 EEEEEKKKK!!!!

For the back, I randomly patched together the extra pieces and some big scraps.  Sort of like a two-fer.  Why, oh, why would anyone want a quilt that reversed to a solid on the back.  ZZZZZZZzzzzzz.

This is no hang on the wall quilt either.
It is a beach quilt.  A backyard picnic quilt.  A cozy couch quilt.  A something I want to steal from my baby quilt.

But that would be mean.
So I will share it.

Since The Road Trip quilt is more of a baby size, and I wanted this one to be more of a twin size, I had to adjust the block sizes.  I should have taken better notes, since I have no idea how many of each piece to cut.
Follow the Cluck Cluck sew directions.  They are a million times better than mine.

What I do know is you will need about 8 yards of fabric.
I used a mix of fifteen half yard cuts.
All of the blocks are six inches wide.
The measurements and placements for each of the blocks are above.

It becomes a little jigsaw puzzle figuring out where each print goes, as to not touch a matching print above or below.  I am sure there is some sort of system to this, but I just lay them out on the ground and hope for the best.

Because I always want to know what and where to get fabrics here you go:
Some were from my stash, some from Etsy, Hawthorne Threads, and Fabric.com.

A.  Monaluna Circa 60 Beach Mod by Birch Fabrics
B.  Going Coastal by Michael Miller
C.  Random stripe from Joanns
D.  Random stripes from Etsy
E.  Chocolate Zebra by Jennifer Paganelli
F.  Remix by Ann Kelle
G.  Aviary 2 by Joel Dewberry

So are you going to make a quilt or what?
Next up on my sewing table is a Star Wars one.   Which my husband will steal from my baby.  The nerve.


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44 Comments

  1. Tanya LaveryMarch 28, 2012 at 6:40 PM

    Ha! I just went to a beginners quilting workshop this past weekend! I was so intimidated but I loved it! Dying to make one now, and this one is pretty snazzy. Thanks for sharing :)

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  2. Kelly O.March 28, 2012 at 6:49 PM

    don't turn on Janey's quilt! you're almost there! it is not better than you!   :)
    turn on the t.v. set up that iron and do it--because you can! and Janey will snuggle it and love it! And when she's 13 and it's still sitting on her bed she'll tell her friends-
    -" yeah my mom made that for me. She's RAD!" 

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  3. TraceyMarch 28, 2012 at 7:13 PM

    I say this every time I comment on your blog, but Shane's eyes are swoon worthy!  Gorgeous quilt!!! Outstanding work moma!

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  4. KateEschbachMarch 28, 2012 at 8:02 PM

    Ok.  I still don't believe you... i know, i know.. I'm crazy... but quilts scare me!  
    Maybe one day I'll bribe you to hold my hand while I do one.

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  5. TiffanyMarch 28, 2012 at 8:03 PM

    I love Shane's quilt! In April 2011 I started my (unborn) daughter's quilt. 6 feet square, denim (my jeans and DH's jeans) on the back flannel on the front rag quilt, no batting. It was finished being put together before she arrived on Aug. 11. I started clipping for the ragging before she showed up. I got 1/4 done with the clipping and that's where it's been stalled out at since. We drag it out to the back lawn and lay on it, we throw it down on the floor and play on it. I don't know that it will EVER be finished. Hope I get it done before kid #2 decides to come along. Lol

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  6. Lauren PollockMarch 28, 2012 at 8:03 PM

    This has always been something I have wanted to do (while my kids are still young, but they are 5 & 2)... your post today was inspiring... THANK YOU!!!

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  7. Mindy WardMarch 28, 2012 at 8:13 PM

    No, not going to make a quilt. My machine should be set on fire- it's that bad. But I ADORE yours. And the smiley boy sitting up on it. Well, he's almost too too much!! Way to go!

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  8. emily hopeMarch 28, 2012 at 8:38 PM

    love, love, love. amazing. that quilt and that baby are the definitely the 2 cutest things I've seen today.

    ps - still don't believe making a quilt will ever be on my list of accomplishments though. how i wish ...

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  9. KelleynrMarch 28, 2012 at 8:47 PM

    I just might have too if you say it is so easy.  I guess I need to go buy a rotary cutter.  Love the quilt!

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  10. lkubotaMarch 28, 2012 at 9:02 PM

    I love it! Two sittings? I kinda don't believe you! ;)

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  11. Alissa @ Rags to StitchesMarch 28, 2012 at 9:19 PM

    I love this quilt!! I just ordered a bunch of fabric squares, I think I might need to break those out!! 

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  12. Katrina BrooksMarch 29, 2012 at 5:15 AM

    love the fabric choices! I am having my first boy, and not very good, I'm finding, at picking out (non-girly) boy fabrics! this quilt is so awesome though, love the chocolate zebra and the remix fabrics the best! I'm inspired!

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  13. Mary_KrauseMarch 29, 2012 at 5:56 AM

    awesome, awesome, awesome!  you rock!  and that is the cutest quilt, for the cutest baby! ever.

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  14. Stephanie AckermanMarch 29, 2012 at 7:01 AM

    LOVE it...love YOU ..love HIM..and Shane...and your girlies!!!!

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  15. VioletMarch 29, 2012 at 7:08 AM

    Have you seen the beauty of what is called the "rag quilt" ? You sandwich together your cotton fabrics and fleece or flannel  and then you leave the seams raw. It ''quilts" as you sew the block together and then you snip all the seams, wash it and enjoy the texture of the frays and fuzz. Plus- no waiting for the box to come in the mail! 

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  16. Kristina GulinoMarch 29, 2012 at 8:48 AM

    Amazing work lady!

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  17. SullyjMarch 29, 2012 at 9:51 AM

    I must say thank you for this post!! I have a quilt (really it's just cut up fabric pieces) that I started when I was pregnant with my son. He's now 6. Shameful, I know. But...this post has given me the courage to finish it! It's the lining up of the blocks that scared me. Now I know how to finish it! Thanks!

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  18. NanBran6March 29, 2012 at 11:34 AM

    What a wonderful quilt! I have fabric to do a quilt like Janey's (loved it when I saw that post) to do for a friend's 9th baby...he needs a quilt!  Thanks for the inspiration to get it done!

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  19. Mary M.March 29, 2012 at 1:37 PM

    I've made a few quilts. I'm one of those perfectionists and it was torture. I like what you said about being easily bored (me, too!) and not too precise, though. You opened my eyes to a whole new way of quilting! I think I will give this a try.

    I am new to your blog; a grandmother, raising my 4 yr. old granddaughter after my daughter died last summer. I smile every time I read your posts. Thank you!

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  20. AimeeMarch 29, 2012 at 5:48 PM

    So now does this mean you will finish Janeys? and does Lucy have one too or not?

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  21. joyshopeMarch 29, 2012 at 6:26 PM

    Yes! They are sooo cozy.  Especially in flannel.

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  22. joyshopeMarch 29, 2012 at 6:27 PM

    Sounds so so so cute!  Snip it girl!

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  23. joyshopeMarch 29, 2012 at 6:28 PM

    Sigh... I am too traumatized to finish Janey's.  Lucy won't sleep with a big blanket or quilt, so I am waiting.  Maybe someday.  Maybe.

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  24. joyshopeMarch 29, 2012 at 6:29 PM

    So so so sorry for your loss.  I am sure you are raising your granddaughter beautifully with glimpses of her mother through your care for her.

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  25. joyshopeMarch 29, 2012 at 6:29 PM

    You are welcome to finish Janey's while you are at it.

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  26. joyshopeMarch 29, 2012 at 6:31 PM

    You come over with a stack of fabric and I'll prove it.

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  27. joyshopeMarch 29, 2012 at 6:31 PM

    Yes!!! You will kick yourself for not buying one sooner.  I crafty must have.

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  28. joyshopeMarch 29, 2012 at 6:31 PM

    DO IT!!!!

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  29. joyshopeMarch 29, 2012 at 6:31 PM

    Finding boy fabric is SO HARD!!!!  

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  30. joyshopeMarch 29, 2012 at 6:32 PM

    They are still totally young.  Do it!

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  31. joyshopeMarch 29, 2012 at 6:32 PM

    Come over friend.  You so can do it.  Especially with all the vintage goodness you seem to find.

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  32. joyshopeMarch 29, 2012 at 6:34 PM

    It is so so so so hard.  SO HARD!!!!  It should have come with a warning.  Or a test you had to pass before starting it.

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  33. teal915March 29, 2012 at 7:33 PM

    beautiful!

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  34. the mcclenahansMarch 30, 2012 at 1:30 PM

    The quilt is awesome, Julie. I need to meet Shane!!!!!!

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  35. AmyMarch 31, 2012 at 6:50 PM

    Good grief. Could he BE any cuter??

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  36. Julie {Angry Julie Monday}April 3, 2012 at 11:23 AM

    Is it bad that I want to steal a quilt from a baby? Star Wars quilt hmmmm....I think I may know someone who has nine yards of Star Wars fabric....oh ya, that's me.

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  37. MichelleApril 4, 2012 at 11:30 AM

    I love this quilt and I happen to have most of the fabric in the Beach Mod prints...seriously considering using it to make this quilt! So cute!!

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  38. JenniferApril 6, 2012 at 10:28 AM

    I LOVE this quilt pattern! I made it several months ago for my daughter with a bunch of scraps that I had and then added it to it. It was fun and easy to make! I have ADD too and it was the perfect quilt to make. The fabric that you picked for Shanes quilt is absolutely adorable!

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  39. StephApril 10, 2012 at 1:25 PM

    I just love your quilt! Great job!!! I have a randomly odd question for you. I'd love to make my hubby his own quilt but making the front the same as your back. Dies that make sense? Would you be willing to share the measurements you used?? Could you email them to me? My email is stephers.s@gmail.com thanks Sooo much :)

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  40. MeJune 8, 2012 at 7:09 PM

    I love this quilt!! I have been adoring it for months now! I have no idea how to quilt yet but hoping to learn! I have a little boy that I would love to make one for! I was curious where you find your fabric? I have no idea where to start looking other than the couple little stores we have in our town, is there an online store you would recommend? Thanks for sharing! I absolutely love your blog and I just put 2 + 2 together and realized your hubby was the drummer for The Supertones - they were one of our Fave Bands from back in the day!

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    Replies
    1. JulesAugust 8, 2012 at 10:38 PM

      I love www.hawthornethreads.com. Great selection, service and fast shipping.
      So fun about the Supertones. Such a small world.

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  41. Burst out LovingAugust 5, 2012 at 8:27 AM

    I love this quilt so much, and have been inspired to make one like it because I just cannot get over how simple and awesome it is. I have on question regarding the dimensions, though. How long and wide is the finished quilt? I am making one to fit a dorm bed, but I also want it to be big enough for a picnic blanket.

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    Replies
    1. JulesAugust 8, 2012 at 10:37 PM

      It is 68x72. I think the standard twin size is around 68x88, probably 5 inches longer for a twin xl. It would be easy to add extra rows to make it long enough for the dorm bed.

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  42. Embracing School CounselingNovember 26, 2012 at 8:38 PM

    This is so pretty! My mom has Alzheimer's and when I had to close her home the only thing I had a hard time with were her clothes. She loved her clothes! So I've decided to make a quilt but would like to make 4 for myself, daughter, son, and granddaughter. Since I don't have "yards" of material but rather two of those Walmart tubes full of clothes, I'm wondering how many pieces I will need for each quilt. I've also NEVER quilted so am thinking of doing what you did Joy. HELP!!!

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