Today i thought i'd write about this old red and white checkerboard quilt of mine.....there have been so many enquiries about it over the years even though it is such a very simple design........
.................the picture below is one of the most 'pinned' of all my blog pictures.....
............so in answer to those lovely readers who have asked for details about this quilt here are a few.....it is made from 4inch squares and i paper pieced it by hand ( quite a few years ago)........
.............i used any scraps of fabric from my stash for the coloured squares as long as there was some red in the pattern..........then i arranged them alternately with plain white squares to create the classic checkerboard pattern.......there are 225 squares altogether.........
...........when the squares were sewn together (in rows of 15) i added a 3 inch white border all round....
............i decided to hand quilt around each square just inside the seam and then to quilt a 2 inch square in the centres..........i used i inch quilting tape to give me a guide line to sew the centre quilting squares.......
...........we have used this quilt for years now and it has been washed and tumble dried many times and is still fresh and new looking......
.............it is such an easy pattern and when i made it it was without much though at all ;).....yet it works and is pleasing to the eye in its simplicity...........a true scrappy patchwork quilt.......
............the backing is one of my favourite pink and white candy striped fabrics (though if i had made this quilt now i would have bought a red and white fabric specially and not just used one i had the most of in my stash at the time).......and (another favourite) red and white gingham binding............
.............i hope this post will help to answer all the questions this quilt has received over the years from lovely readers both here and on facebook :)............x
..............here is a more recent shot of the checkerboard quilt on my quilt ladder and below with the little bears from my new book modern vintage gifts..............
...........this past week has been quite a rollercoaster ride for me and i am glad of my little crafty world to escape to sometimes and of my dear friends and family who have shown me so much kindness....and that includes you my sweet blog friends too of course..........x
...............thank you to everyone who visits me here in my little blog space......it is always a pleasure to know you are here and to read your kind comments.............wishing you all a wonderful week ahead with sweet flowers and peaceful crafty times to enjoy.........back soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
58 comments:
Your quilt is a thing of beauty Helen and it's no surprise it has been pinned so many times!
I think quilts definitely improve with age.
Hopefully your life will settle down a bit for you, sending you a hug.
V xxx
I have always loved this quilt of yours. So simple, yet so pleasing. And I have to say how much it makes me smile to read that you paper pieced it by hand. If you only knew how many times people looked at me confused as to why I'd want to EPP (as it's called here I'm the States) a square (or any non hexagon), you'd understand. It's nice to know I'm not alone.
I do hope you're doing well, as well as can be through this rough time. You've been in my thoughts.
It is so beautiful!!! I love all the happy reds. :)
Have a lovely week.
Hugs,
Lin
Helen,
This quilt has been a favorite of mine since I first pinned it on Pinterest and I hope to make one someday. I think I now have enough red prints to make a nice throw. You are such an inspiration with all your creations. I admire the fact that you paper pieced it by hand. Thank you for sharing this much loved quilt once again.
Mickie, Indiana
Hi Helen
Another lovely quilt, it certainly stands the test of time. It still looks looks crisp and clean.
Have a lovely week.
The quilt is beautiful Helen. I am not surprised that it is 'pinned' the most. I hope you have a lovely creative and crafty week. x
It is a beautiful quilt. I hope you are looking after yourself my lovely. Take care x x
To my way of thinking, it's all about the talent of being able to choose awesome fabric combinations and make a plain and simple quilt design look like a million dollars.
I love your quilt....
Wow! I adore red and white quilts! Gorgeous!
Brenda
That's a lot of sewn squares Helen, such a gorgeous quilt and the colours are perfect all year round. Take care, life will be a roller coaster and a half for some time. Wrap yourself up with all the love everyone is sending you, including me Jxxxxxxxxx
This is a gorgeous quilt Helen, no wonder it is well loved! It looks so fresh and pretty. I hope you have a better week this week! Sending you hugs! Christine x
Such a beautiful quilt....now wonder it has been re-pinned so many times!
Thank you Helen!
Wonderful easy pattern, and the hand quilting is fantastic.
Such a lovely quilt. I favor red and white quilts because they can be used for various holidays or they can add beauty to a plain and ordinary day as well.
I have always loved your red and white quilt and want to tell you that it was one of my very first "pins"when I started following Pinterest! Thank you for sharing the specifics of the quilt and also the backing and binding fabrics. Question? How do you keep your quilts soooo white!!! I love reading your blog and so admire your designs! Thanks! Barbara
It is a beautiful quilt!!! I can see why it is popular in real life and online too! xx
Wow! Your quilt is gorgeous xxx hope you are ok xx
Beautiful in its simplicity! Hope this week settles down for you. Blessings.
Such a beautiful quilt Helen, I love the simplicity of the red and white and can see why it's so pinned! Jane xx
That is definitely a beautiful quilt, I think I've pinned it twice. thanks for sharing the process.
Pat
Your red and white quilt is stunning. The quilt ladder is a lovely way to display it.
Love this beautiful checkerboard quilt!!
I love this red and white quilt! It is so pretty and I'm sure it looks great in your home. I made a red and white quilt, but gave it to my sister-in-law. I need to make another one! Take care! I am thinking of you:) Cindy
Thanks for telling us more about your red and white checkerboard quilt! It's the perfect color for Valentine's time. I got a lit-up tree today to hang all my heart decorations on.. and yours is on it! I'll show photos soon. I also just ordered a bunch of pretty colored yarn that remind me of the colors you use. Thanks for the inspiration! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
I've noticed this quilt as you've shown it off and on, and wanted so badly to make one. Now here you've given us the instructions, you are so sweet to share the details. Perhaps I'll get my quilting mojo back soon and start one similar. Sending hugs and prayers,
Love,
Mary
It's a classic Helen! Beautiful.
I am so glad you posted the instructions for this quilt. I saved your quilt pic on my Pinterest "Cottage Quilts" board quite some time ago and was just looking at it the other day and thinking how very much I loved your quilt and wish I had one just like it. So now I am going to gather up the materials and make my own. Yours is a beauty and will always be in style! A real inspiration.
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
I'm sorry to hear about your mother..xoxo
The quilt is very lovely!
it's beautiful, a lovely heirloom piece.
Helen,
Your quilt is very pretty. I love the combination of colours.
Have a lovely, creative week!
Tina xxx
Gorgeous, gorgeous quilt. There is just something about read isn't there....?
Thank you for the inspiration
Julie
It's a gorgeous quilt, it must have taken absolutely ages to make. Red and white are my favourite colours.
As fresh as the day you created it! :) xxx
It's a beautiful quilt, Helen. Sometimes the simple things are the best. You take lovely photographs too xx
Liebe Helen, auch ich habe deinen Quilt schon oft bewundert. Er ist wunderschön und rot/weiß gefällt mir so wie so.
Vielen Dank für deine Info zu dem Quilt und noch eine schöne Zeit wünscht Dir Annerose
it's gorgeous Helen, I'm not suprised it is your most pinned picture x
This quilt has a classic charm. It will always be fresh and pretty and I agree - sometimes simple is the best. A big hug for you, dear Helen.
Amalia
xo
Hello Helen, your quilt is beautiful, a true classic. I hope you're ok and I send you lots of love, Sam xxx
WOW,it is Stunning,but then you are so talented.Thinking of you,take care.Hugs xx
I Always feel like in summer in your blog, it is so fresh ans so coloured! this is where I want to go when I feel bad or sick!
Love what you make!
Miss Rose, xx
Wow Helen, your quilt is stunning I think everyone loves a bit of red and white its such a relaxing and beautiful colour palette. You have a great talent for design and sewing. I am sorry you are still on that roller coaster, be gentle with yourself its going to take time to heal. Hugs, dee x
Helen, January has been quite a trying month for lots of us, and I agree with you about the soothing, smoothing benefits of stitching. Your checkerboard quilt is a beauty. I think you've sweetly sent the rest of us an early Valentine.
Thank you! xo
Your red and white quilt is lovely Helen. I can imagine why it's such a hit on Pinterest! It looks beautiful on your bed.
Enjoy the rest of the week and take it easy!
Madelief x
Hello Helen, please accept a big hug from me, I know how terribly hard it is to lose your mother.You seem to be such a close family, I am sure you are so glad to have one another. Your quilt is still so fresh and beautiful after all this time, it really was a labour of love. I don't know what's wrong with me this year, I am really beginning to do all those things I said I would. I am about to embark on my first quilt for many years, and am getting on well with my crocheted throw...horray! You are a constant source of inspiration, thank you so much. Love Linda xx
I am so happy to see this pretty quilt. Red and white are my favorites. Blessings to you during this time. Hugs, Patti
It was so nice to get a closer look at this quilt, Helen. I have always admired it. I think limited color palettes are so effective in quilting. This one is so striking in its simple freshness, very crisp and clean-looking. Thank you for sharing. I hope you're having a good week, take care and enjoy.
It is such a lovely, fresh and cheerful quilt. Pam in Norway
I love the red and white together. Did you do anything before sewing to see of any of the red colors would bleed when washed?
Thanks,
Diane
Sweet Helen, your quilt is sooo pretty! I love red and white it's a so classic combination. The two bears are just adorable, I must buy your new book. The white tulips on last photo are beautiful.
Enjoy your end of week!
Hugs and love from Portugal,
Ana Love Craft
www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com
Dear Helen
will definitely be pinning your gorgeous quilt!
I think the classic simple designs in quilts are the ones which go straight to our hearts and provide comfort and warmth in difficult times ...
be sure to take plenty of time for yourself and be gentle with yourself
I found a 'just-started' red and white star quilt in a tin here recently and hope to finish it this year :)
love, Barbara x
Good Afternoon Helen, I have just added my name to the number of people pinning your quilt. I love the simplicity and the colours are lovely.
Definitely a quilt I am going to be making in the future.
Best Wishes
Daphne
Your red and white checkerboard quilt is so sincerely cozy. Combination of colors is so cheerful. It feels great!
The red and white quilt has such a fresh look to it, one that would work in any season. You do such beautiful work, Helen. I'm glad you have such a lovely world of creativity to escape to and find some solace.
Karen
What a gorgeous quilt Helen!
Thank you for telling us how you made it. Very risky stitching red and white together, such a worry for washing! Or do you have it dry cleaned?
Have a lovely week!
Barbara xx
Dear Helen! You have such lovely blog, which I found just yesterday and you make so sweet, pretty things and the red-white quilt is beautiful! I wish you a good new week !
All the best!
Marina from Switzerland
Helen, I loved learning more about how you created this stunning quilt. Thanks for making the time to share some of your creative process with us. I am still sending you lots of loving thoughts and I am glad to know you are feeling supported by family and friends in this season of your life. xx
Beautiful as always...love those little hearts.....I have just bought your Book MODERN VINTAGE GIFTS ....I'm hoping to make the Candy Doll Quilt first.....looks lovely with those adorable buttons...
Your site is just great !!! I'm you now visit regularly.
Greetings from the wet humid Germany
Antje
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