Our to-do list for the wedding is still a mile long and there are so many really important things that we need to do, but I can’t help thinking about something I’ve thought about for a long time. I’ve always loved the idea of making a quilt before my wedding, to commemorate the occasion and maybe to even use for something at the wedding. Maybe it goes back to running my fingers across the quilts at my great aunt’s farmhouse, or watching How to Make an American Quilt one too many times, but it has been something buzzing in the back of my head.
Late one night this week, I started looking at designs for simple quilts that I could make. It turns out that there are some designs that you can easily do in a weekend. If I really got a good chunk of the wedding planning done and felt like we were in a good place, I could easily make this on one of the weekends when Garrett is working. I just picture us as an old married couple sitting on a porch swing someday, with this old quilt and our wedding date embroidered in the corner. I know, it’s sappy – but sometimes I’m a sappy romantic, ok?
For the first Friday Favourites of 2014, I’m sharing 5 simple designs that I’ve been looking at. The fabrics would be our wedding colours – navy, sage green and silver – and I think I’d make it into a nice throw blanket sized quilt.
1. Triangles
This triangle quilt by Elise Blaha is really close to the colours that we both like, and I love the simple geometric design. It’s not too feminine and you can have fun with the random triangles.
2. Squares
I love the squares and stitching on this Happy Weekender Quilt by Kim at My Go-Go Life. It’s got a bit of a modern touch to it with the structured design.
3. Contrasting Colour in White
It took Daria from Glittergoods longer than a weekend to finish the quilt, but I love the squishy texture you get after it has been washed. The loopy stitching in contrasting fabric gives it a playful look too.
4. Square within a Square
This design is a classic and the pattern can be found at Sweet Jane‘s Etsy shop. My mom suggested maybe having some people sign one of the squares. Our wedding party? Families? Guests?
5. Thick ‘n’ Thin Stripes
Mique from 30 Handmade Days shared this great striped baby quilt, that I think I could adapt into a wedding quilt with some sophisticated patterns.
What do you guys think? Am I crazy for trying to fit this into all the wedding plans? Or do you think it’s something I’ll appreciate later on?
If I do it, should I try quilting it myself? Or do the top and then take it to someone to have all the batting added on?
Maybe number one, although I do like them all 🙂 see how much time you have to do the batting good idea to have a backup!
I think you could do it. Plus, I have a feeling you’ll always wish you had if you don’t. I’d probably try one of the patterns with squares, simply because those seem easier to me than triangles. But I don’t sew, so what do I know??? Leave your options open about doing the batting.
I came here kind of randomly (trying to explain to my husband what pfeffernusse are), and I can’t pass up a quilt question. I am a quilter, and having recently planned a wedding, I would advise against trying to do it before the ceremony. You’ll be tired and have your mind on a million other things – not a good time to try something new. You could easily prep some squares to have guests or wedding party sign (Quilty Habit did a post on her wedding quilt a few weeks ago — great advice), and then sew it up afterwards, maybe in time for your 1st anniversary. It’ll still be memorable and sentimental, but without undue stress. Also, if you don’t want to tackle the actual quilting, search for longarm quilters in your area. All they do is “add the batting on”. 😀 Hope this helped, and congratulations!!!
Hi Sarah! Thanks so much for this advice! I’ve been really torn about how to do it, but I love the idea of having some squares for guests to sign. I’ll have plenty of time to finish the rest in the summer – when all the wedding pressure is gone 🙂