the new star(s) of north carolina

My sister and brother-in-law moved to North Carolina this past summer.  My sister-in-law had asked me to make a quilt for her a couple years back (I had just whipped up a Color-Wheel Quilt from Last Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts for a shower we attended together).  I'm pretty sure she would've been absolutely content with that same quilt, but I have a thing about repeat gifts (no two alike!).  Since then, I've been waiting for the perfect occasion to inspire her quilt.  So when my husband drew her husband's name for our family's secret santa, I knew exactly what I was going to get (...make) for them (er, him)...

A "Star of North Carolina" block, {no} hats style and fit for a barn (finished size:  90" x 90").

Sidebar:  I finished it the night before they headed home so please forgive the poor lighting in these photos!

In any case, I was hoping they'd appreciate the prism effect of this layout (reminiscent of the color wheel spectrum?) and of course, the symbolism of the block itself (though for the record, it's a modified North Carolina Star:  I divided the original block into 8 sections to spice it up).

The quilt top is made from a combination of Kaufman Kona, Moda Bella, and Free Spirit solids.  I have to say, solids are a first for me (I <3 prints!) but I loved loved loved working with them.  For the back, I went with a neutral brown herringbone paired with some solid brown "paper hats" and a natural cotton solid.  I quilted each color with 2-3 echoes of its shape, then straight-line quilted the cream background.  Last but not least, I used a tonal red harlequin print for the binding (see previous parenthetical).

 I was thrilled with the result and know it'll get lots of love and use down South :)

Thanks for reading! 

isn't she lovely: dainty dresden

Made this for a truly lovely little lady who arrived last month.

When we found out one of my husband's closest friends and his new bride were expecting a baby girl, I couldn't help but spoil mama+baby with a splash (okay, flood) of pink.

Here are a couple shots I snapped as the quilt was underway...

Matching up the shades of pink and tan.

Admiring a pieced (and crisply ironed) plate.

I first discovered the dresden block a couple years ago when I picked up a copy of Material Obsession's first book by the same title. I still haven't made their Dotty Dresden (it's the one on the cover), but you'll be seeing it one of these days! (I'm thinking Riley Blake Ombre dots?)

Alas, I digress.  A simple dresden just seemed like a natural fit for this joyous occasion.  My favorite thing about this quilt is the order and repetition:  simple, yet striking.  But then again, "repetitive gradient" is sort of my MO (just you wait!). I used an (orderly) array of white <--> beige fabrics for the background to add a little variation, but otherwise kept the pink plates as uniform as possible.  Needless to say, the design will definitely remain a staple in the {no} hats pattern collection for years to come ;)

This beauty was hard to part with, but I know it's got a lifetime of love (and adventure!) in store in its new home.

On to the next...!