Completed: December 2022

Sometime in the fall of 2022 I saw a TikTok video of an adorable ‘puff quilt’. A puff quilt consists of small pleated squares, sewn into pillows and stuffed with poly-fil batting. I pulled out my plastic storage totes filled with fabric I had collected over the years, most from my mom and grandmothers. I settled on a yard of soft orange fabric from my mom, a solid red cotton, and brown-red-orange stiped cotton and got to work cutting squares.

I eventually pulled down my sewing a machine, the final Christmas present from my Grandma Pat before she passed in 2014. I had played with it through the years, but mostly it accompanied me through many moves. I was excited to get it out as it always brought fond memories of my Grandma.

I sewed about 45 squares, stuffed them and sewed them together. I had no idea what a walking foot was, I did not try to maintain a consistent seam allowance, and through some sheer will I got my top together. Turns out that Polyfil is quite heavy and I had no idea on earth I was going to back my quilt top; much less get it though my sewing machine.

I set it aside, and did what any reasonable person would do and started another puff quilt but with flannel instead of cotton. Oof da.

December crept up quickly, and I decided that I wanted to sewing something special for Isla. I found an adorable fat quarter bundle of Hello Kitty fabric at Walmart and knew that was what I wanted to use. I started the quilt top during Isla’s last week of school before Christmas break so I knew I needed something easy. I purchased a pattern on Etsy called ‘Big and Bold’ and set to work.

The top came together easy enough. My parents happened to be in town and they cheered me on though my first stiches. Mom and I eventually headed out to pick a border fabric. I googled fabric shops near us and we first ended up at Sunshine Quilt Shoppe. Mom and I spent half an hour ogling at the gorgeous fabrics and samples. Thoroughly overwhelmed, we left empty handed and headed to Joann’s. I quickly picked out a solid light pink sparkly fabric and knew it would make the perfect border. And it was a special time exploring with my mom!

Once my borders were on I decided that I wanted to back the quilt with a soft minky fabric. I settled on a minky heart fabric from Joann’s. I used spray baste to put my quilt sandwich together and simple quilting lines in the body of the quilt. I made a scrappy binding with 2 and 1/2 inch strips.

I finished everything right before Christmas Day and Isla LOVED it! I also love it. It is soft, cozy, cheerful and sooooo warm.

I have not washed it yet, but will update once I do. And on how it holds up. Here are a few more pics hanging up on the wall Feb 2023:

Top Fabric: Hello Kitty Fat Quarter Bundle, Hello Kitty Fat Quarter- WalMart
Border- Keepsake Calico Cotton Fabric Crystalline Pink Glitter- Joanns
Batting: Hobbs Heirloom 80 & 20 Cotton Blend Batting– Joanns
Backing: Soft & Minky Light Pink Heart Fleece Fabric– Joanns

Pattern: Big and Bold and Come What May Creations
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/267291042/baby-quilt-pattern-fat-quarter-quilt?transaction_id=3302026081