I’m participating in a Free Motion Fun group this year, and our challenge quilt pattern is High Light (available from All People Quilt). We were given the pattern and one print – the large floral (we picked from pink or blue). Honestly, the print wasn’t one I would have chosen, and I was more resigned instead of excited to be making that particular quilt. We discussed the project during our first class, and I selected the pink floral just because most of the group selected blue. I did have fun selecting coordinating fabric for the quilt – going with a real contrast for the “high light” portion of the quilt. We were tasked to have the quilt completed by December.
About four months later, I pulled out the fabric and started on the quilt. Other than the high light blocks, I really couldn’t remember how I planned to use the colors in the quilt. I just know the result is not what I had in mind back in January. I did have to buy another yard of the floral, and I also matched the back to the high light blocks to pull everything together. The blocks are large, and this quilt is a quick sew. This was a perfect pattern for this class since our goal is to use free motion quilt designs on the quilt.
As I mentioned above, I was not excited about the quilt, but that made the quilting completely stress-free since I had no expectations for the end result. I kept joking about who I was going to give the quilt to when I finished. Anyway, the more I worked on the quilt, the more I liked it. I started call it “the 70s quilt” – I know I had a dress with than pink floral back in the 70s. It also really reminded me of my grandmother (Nanny). She taught me to sew when I was a kid. She was always making something – everyone in the family has quilts that she made. In later years, she was also “famous” for some of her color combinations. I think she would have really liked this quilt. Instead of “the 70s quilt”, this became “the Nanny quilt”.
I decided to have fun with the quilting designs. I chose multiple colors for the quilting, matching the top thread color to the block. I matched the bobbin thread to the back fabric since I didn’t want multiple colors on the back. I also used a different free motion motif in each different color block. I quilted several Lori Kennedy designs (square flowers, Nora’s rose, posy medallions, dizzy daisies, strings of pearls, and more), McTavishing, and quilted text. This was my first time to try McTavishing – I’ll definitely use it again. Since the quilt reminded me of my grandmother, I decided to dedicate the four text blocks to her memory. 
In the end, this is one of my favorite quilts! I had a lot of fun with the design, and I really, really, love how it turned out. Instead of trying to find someone to take it, I envision one of Nanny’s great great grandchildren ending up with it one day.
“Mother, Mama, Nanny….
Practical, thrifty, spoke her mind…
Maker of teacakes,
rice and tomato soup, buttermilk custard,
And enough quilts for everyone….
Even the dog.”
