Tommy's Quilt

Well, I don't have a new reveal for the Blogger's Quilt Festival. But I can show you one of my favorite quilts that I made this year, and it hasn't yet made an appearance on this blog—so that's just as good as a new reveal!This is my "Vroom Vroom" quilt. I made this quilt for my nephew's first birthday. It was the first "boy" quilt I ever made, and I was extremely indecisive about it. I didn't want the finished quilt to look too babyish, since he was already turning one by the time I got around to making it. (I had a newborn at home myself!) I went through several different possible designs, using as many different fabric lines, before finally settling on this one, which is based on a Moda Bake Shop tutorial by Natalia from Piece N Quilt. I just eliminated the applique and a couple rows of blocks to make the quilt smaller, and ta da—I had a sweet and simple little boy quilt.Here are some of the reasons I love this quilt: 1. This is one of two quilts that I've quilted myself on a long-arm (rented at a local quilt shop). 2. Love that stripey binding. 3. This fabric is thoroughly boyish, not too babyish, and yet it's super cute. That's not an easy combination to find! 4. This was one of my first forays into bold, geometric, modern quilt designs. From the minute I started piecing it, I was hooked on this look. 5. It was a gift for someone special in my life.Is there an aspect of this quilt that I don't love? Yes: The back. I wanted to do some piecing on the back, but I just plain ran out of time. And the blue polka-dot fabric I used isn't ideal, but I had no choice. I had to pick from whatever was available at my local quilt shop—which is to say, not much. (Fortunately, I've since found an excellent quilt store that is a little further away, but carries plenty of modern fabric, so it's always worth the drive!)Aside from the back, I'm really happy with how this one turned out. I think it represents a bit of a turning point in the evolution of my quilting, and I hope it's being used and loved in its new home right now.Now head on over to the Blogger's Quilt Festival at Amy's Creative Side and check out all the other great quilts! What an amazing display and a fun event!