Friday, May 13, 2011

Extreme Orange! (Bloggers’ Quilt Festival)

Yay! It’s time for the Bloggers’ Quilt Festival hosted by Amy of Amy's Creative Side! I’m so glad Blogger decided to cooperate so we can get on with the festivities.

Today I’m featuring my orange dirt bike quilt. (That’s right—a dirt bike quilt.) Margaret’s Hope Chest has a project called Wrapped in Hope, and they’re providing birthday quilts for children who have parents in prison. I signed up to make a quilt for Dresden (with that name he’s sure to appreciate quilts, right?). He’s turning 3 this month, and he requested a quilt featuring dirt bikes and the color orange. This must be a cool kid.

After a few moments of head-scratching (not much dirt bike fabric in my stash! Okay, not any!) I remembered this quilt by Rebecca of Chasing Cottons and knew that the Michael Miller Extreme Team fabric would be just right for this quilt.

So, after some thinking and sketching, I came up with this plan…

Sketch

Which became this quilt.

Dirtbike quilt


Dirtbike panel
I didn’t want to cut up that main panel, so I decided to frame it out with orange and black, and then added patchwork squares surrounding it.

DIrtbike close
I just bought a few fat quarters of the Extreme Team fabric, so I added some Kona Tangerine, Ash, and Aqua to the mix. I pulled out the aqua color from the puzzle print. I used Kona Black for the binding.

Dirtbike quilting
My favorite part (and I think it just might be Dresden’s favorite too) is the road, which was a last-minute addition to the plan. In this picture, you can see that I quilted in gray thread in the blocky meandering stitch. I think it gives the road kind of an asphalt look.

Dirtbike back
I wanted to continue the road theme on the back, so I added an intersection. I can just see Dresden spreading this out on the floor and driving his cars up and down the road. I filled out the back with Tangerine and Aqua yardage (and a bit of Ash when I came up short).

I’m excited to send this quilt off to its new home! (My 3-year-old son—not so excited to see this one go.)

Now head over to Amy’s blog to see lots (and LOTS) of more quilts on parade!
Amy's Creative Side
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58 comments:

  1. KristieMay 13, 2011 at 11:48 AM

    Yay! Blogger is back :-)

    Love how this turned out! You did a great job, front and back!

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  2. felicityMay 13, 2011 at 12:00 PM

    I'm following Kristie around blogland! Add me to the list of those happy that Blogger is back. LOVE this quilt so much - you did a fabulous job highlighting the larger-scale fabric and communicating a theme. Did I mention that I LOVE it? :)

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  3. LisaMay 13, 2011 at 12:34 PM

    Love the quilting on this! And the back is as wonderful as the front. Great job!

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  4. Elizabeth DacksonMay 13, 2011 at 12:36 PM

    I absolutely adore this quilt, Katie. This is one super lucky little boy!! It's going to an awesome snuggling quilt, and an awesome quilt to play on, with that road! :)

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  5. Joanna @ ShapeMothMay 13, 2011 at 12:45 PM

    Love it, love it, love it! Absolutely wonderful. Simple geometric design and beautiful colours. Congatulations on the idea!

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  6. VickyMay 13, 2011 at 12:45 PM

    this is great! I love the solids you picked to go with the extreme teen fabric! He is going to LOVE this!

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  7. Becky (My Fabric Obsession)May 13, 2011 at 12:57 PM

    OH, I love it! So much fun!

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  8. KatiMay 13, 2011 at 1:16 PM

    I love how it turned out, especially the back. It's perfect for a little boy.

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  9. Anne at Film and ThreadMay 13, 2011 at 1:16 PM

    I've been waiting to see this completed. The back is just fantastic!!! And I love your quilting, too.

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  10. RobinMay 13, 2011 at 1:31 PM

    can't decide which side I like better. He is going to love this quilt, Katie. You did a fantastic job.
    your proud mama

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  11. SaraMay 13, 2011 at 3:00 PM

    Killer boy quilt---the quilting is so appropriate and great! TY for sharing.

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  12. JanetMay 13, 2011 at 3:19 PM

    What a fabulous quilt - and for a lucky little boy. Love the road idea.

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  13. quilthexleMay 13, 2011 at 3:52 PM

    How wonderful you combined the wishes of the little man! This is a one-of-a-kind-quilt, gorgeous! And I can't decide which side I like better, too ;-))

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  14. stitchinpennyMay 13, 2011 at 4:34 PM

    Your imagination opened doors on a little boy's heart and mind. You did a fantastic job of fulfilling his request with a very bright and welcoming quilt.

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  15. Tracey JacobsenMay 13, 2011 at 5:18 PM

    oh my gosh... the back is too cool! What a great little quilt! ♥

    and the quilting... so clever...

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  16. LeahMay 13, 2011 at 5:58 PM

    What an amazing gift. The roads on it are the coolest.

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  17. EileenMay 13, 2011 at 7:28 PM

    This is marvelous! That road is indeed a wonderful addition on both sides. Sweet to make for a child with a difficult situation to deal with. Taught a couple young boys years ago in that situation and have often wondered how their lives have turned out. Hope they had people further along who were positive influences. Thanks for sharing and have a great day

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  18. JaneMay 13, 2011 at 7:46 PM

    Katie, Just found your blog recently. What great work you do!

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  19. AllieMay 13, 2011 at 7:50 PM

    I think this is the best boy quilt I've ever seen - AMAZING. I love it! Putting the road on there was sheer brilliance.

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  20. LeeMay 13, 2011 at 8:15 PM

    Wow, I bet Dresden is going to go crazy for this quilt. You took a theme I wouldn't have been brave enough to take on, and you made it into a modern quilting masterpiece! I agree, the road is brilliant. And the quilting is PERFECT for this design! Great job!

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  21. audreypawdreyMay 13, 2011 at 8:19 PM

    I have been waiting to see this since you hinted about it earlier this week, and it is awesome! It really is a fabulous boy quilt, and I love the quilting you did on this; it is perfect for "asphalt". I also love the back! Some little boy is going to have so much fun with his cars on this.;)

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  22. Linda at Roscoe's MaMay 13, 2011 at 8:27 PM

    Very cool. Love the design, colors and the quilting.

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  23. Laurel H.May 13, 2011 at 8:35 PM

    Great quilt, for a great cause. :)

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  24. KelliMay 13, 2011 at 9:11 PM

    This is such an ace boys quilt!
    Great work, great cause!

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  25. Sarah CraigMay 13, 2011 at 9:41 PM

    Very cool little quilt, Katie! You did an awesome job!!

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  26. KarenMay 13, 2011 at 10:20 PM

    I love this! I have such a hard time trying to come up with something boys will like. thanks so much for the idea.

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  27. KarenMay 14, 2011 at 12:30 AM

    Wow - this has turned out so well. I love the way you have used the fabric to carry through the theme. What a wonderful gift!

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  28. KateMay 14, 2011 at 8:28 AM

    Such a fun quilt! Love your front and back roads.

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  29. UnknownMay 14, 2011 at 11:09 AM

    Such a COOL quilt! This is going to make Dresden so happy!

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  30. baukjeMay 14, 2011 at 11:47 AM

    What a lovely quilt for this young boy,, love your creativity!!!

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  31. TeresaMay 14, 2011 at 11:49 AM

    What an awesome quilt for a cool little kid. I really love the way you quilted it! I'll have to try that. Thanks for sharing, I always love seeing boy quilts.

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  32. Martine KucielMay 14, 2011 at 1:35 PM

    très masculin et vraiment original belle réalisation

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  33. DebbieMay 14, 2011 at 2:29 PM

    Fabulous job. Sounds like a great program for quilts and what a great way to stretch yourself

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  34. Laura K.May 14, 2011 at 5:00 PM

    That's so neat! What a cool idea for a boy quilt. I really like your blocky meandering stitch- I can't quite get that one right for some reason.

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  35. DebbieMay 14, 2011 at 6:28 PM

    wow - amazing creativity here! Fun quilting too!

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  36. Sarcastic QuilterMay 14, 2011 at 6:52 PM

    This is a GREAT quilt! Well done.

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  37. meli BMay 14, 2011 at 8:32 PM

    Love the black and the the whole story. I rarely use the Kona fabric and it really plays beautifully with your printed fabric.

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  38. Rose HughesMay 15, 2011 at 5:47 AM

    Love it when a plan comes together, and sooo beautifully!

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  39. ClaudiaMay 15, 2011 at 9:52 AM

    I love your design and what a wonderful quilt! Dresden is sure to love this quit.

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  40. Kit LangMay 15, 2011 at 1:26 PM

    I love the back as much as the front! :)

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  41. grendelskinMay 15, 2011 at 2:26 PM

    What a great quilt! The orange really pops and I especially love the intersection on the back - genius!

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  42. LinzMay 15, 2011 at 5:49 PM

    I LOVE it!!! So cute!! Orange is so fun!!

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  43. Andrea May 15, 2011 at 9:21 PM

    I love the colors ,beautiful idea

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  44. CarlaMay 16, 2011 at 9:50 AM

    Perfect quilt for a boy. Great colors and the solids really look nice.

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  45. CynthiaMay 16, 2011 at 10:20 AM

    Love the road! So creative! The quilting is very fitting! Great work!

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  46. UnknownMay 16, 2011 at 11:51 AM

    I love the road! The whole thing is fabulous, really. :) And isn't that square meandering fun? I just did a lap quilt in that quilting style, and I can't get enough of it!

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  47. CecilyMay 16, 2011 at 12:16 PM

    Oh, I love this quilt! I think it might be one of my favorites in the show! Love the pattern and the fabrics and such great use of color! Awesome!

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  48. AnonymousMay 16, 2011 at 5:22 PM

    Awesome! I love the quilting and the roads!
    I think Dresden will love it!

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  49. UnknownMay 16, 2011 at 7:03 PM

    What a great quilt for a lucky little boy!

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  50. MollyMay 16, 2011 at 8:34 PM

    Very cool quilt for a very cool sounding little boy. The quilting is just perfect! I always feel a quilt is a tangible expression of care and love and I'm sure he loves snuggling with his special quilt. LOVE IT!!

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  51. SandraMay 17, 2011 at 6:12 AM

    Where to start - what a strong graphic quilt iwth lots of visual interest and appeal. And the back is as good as the front. Kudos
    Come see my entries #211, repro cheddar orange stars and #215 antique 1850 applique flower garden

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  52. Marci GirlMay 17, 2011 at 12:37 PM

    I know I have commented on your dirt bike quilt before, but if not, it is so wonderful and I love the quilting!

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  53. RachelMay 19, 2011 at 2:48 PM

    Love the quilting design you used, it fits the overall theme so well!! I also love that you made two roads on the back, great idea!! Thanks for sharing this with us!

    Cheers!
    Rachel
    http://www.dewberrylane.com

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  54. CherylMay 21, 2011 at 7:45 AM

    the yellow road and the quilt motif are just perfect - and the cause is such a good one

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  55. blue star stitcherMay 21, 2011 at 10:42 AM

    I love the aqua in this quilt, and how you framed that main panel, what a great quilt for a little boy!

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  56. Dee J.May 21, 2011 at 7:35 PM

    Such a wonderful boy quilt. I'm sure that boy is 3x lucky to get this one.

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  57. BrittneyMay 22, 2011 at 5:13 PM

    Great quilt! Novelty fabrics can be a little hokey sometimes, but you worked these prints! I love the concept and the execution, well done!
    Also, thanks for stopping by my BQF post :)

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  58. CindyMay 23, 2011 at 6:07 AM

    What a great idea! Your quilt turned out awesome! And I really enjoyed looking around your blog. Very inspirational!!

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