One of my most sentimental and personal quilts I’ve ever made is this Gratitude Patchwork Quilt.
It is exciting to finally share a quilt that I made over a year ago. This is one of those quilts that has a lot of meaning behind it – it’s my Gratitude Quilt and so, naturally, the week of Thanksgiving here in the states feels like the perfect time to finally share.
I made this quilt over a year ago- it’s weird to work on something and not talk about it. This was my first experience making something to contribute to a book and I was so excited I was ready to burst. But away it hid from any cameras or blogs.
This quilt is based on an old signature style block, only instead of signatures, I embroidered things, people, and places that I am grateful for. The fabrics are from a Moda’s reproduction collection, which suited the style of the quilt really well. I’ve always loved the idea of throwing teal in with traditional fall colors and I’m so happy with the result. I think it would be fun to make this pattern again out of more contemporary fabrics (maybe all solids?). I think it would be equally effective and would work perfectly for a modern look too.
I embroidered all the the words by hand onto a giant piece of solid fabric so that it would be portable. I was working on them during our road trip to Bryce Canyon last fall, furiously stitching so that I could meet my deadline. I loved choosing each of my items I’m grateful for, including the names of my family members, places I’ve lived, parts of my faith, and other sentimental favorites.
Then I cut up the words and created the individual blocks. See where it says tomatoes in the upper left corner?
Well in my haste, I accidentally wrote and stitched the word tomatoes twice. I didn’t realize until I’d pieced the blocks and by then I was in such a hurry that I just went ahead and included it again – once in the upper left corner and the other in the lower right. I call it personality. And I guess subconsciously I’m just really grateful for tomatoes.
The pattern for this Gratitude quilt can be found in the book Sweet Celebrations with Moda Bakeshop Chefs. It was so much fun to get to contribute to this compilation. I feel honored to have been a part of it.
I have wanted to make a Gratitude quilt for many years. I’m glad I finally had the excuse – and the deadline- to push me there. And I’m enjoying having it back at home with me this Thanksgiving.
Hope all celebrating in the states have a happy Thanksgiving. It’s one of my favorite holidays. We are hosting lots of extended family members at our house tomorrow. I’m looking forward to it. For one thing, it’s a good incentive to clear all my sewing junk off the table. I’m not feeling too stressed thanks to the many food contributions by those who are coming and especially for my husband’s desire to be in charge of the turkey. (YES!) He has been excited for weeks and takes this job very seriously. He’s been preparing the brine and my house smells SO good as I sit here typing.
Happy Thanksgiving!
35 Comments
Bloggymom
November 21, 2012 at 8:03 amBeautiful quilt. Love the colors and the "thankful concept".<br /><br />Happy Thanksgiving!!
tatiana
November 21, 2012 at 8:15 amte felicito es hermoso
Shannon
November 21, 2012 at 9:00 amThis is really lovely. I don't usually go in for calm colors, but I love them here, and I can't get over the wonderful idea of embroidering things you're grateful for in the blocks. I've been thinking a lot about gratefulness and graciousness lately and think spending time embroidering the words must have been wonderful and meditative. I hope having a deadline didn't make
O'Quilts
November 21, 2012 at 9:25 amWonderful quilt, wonderful idea!! I just love it!
Dresden Quilter
November 21, 2012 at 10:14 amWhat a beautiful quilt and show a fabulous way to remember everything we should be grateful for. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
NadineC
November 21, 2012 at 10:15 amSo beautiful, and love the sentiment. And, yes, tomatoes are wonderful especially when they are plucked warm off the vine in late summer…so tomatoes x two is a good thing 🙂
Jodi
November 21, 2012 at 10:44 amGreat idea for a quilt! And I also see how you make it stay put on the fence – I'm going to use that free hint! 🙂 <br />Happy Thanksgiving!
diane
November 21, 2012 at 10:52 amThis is such a great idea. I wish you would have posted it a few days ago. I think it would be wonderful to have all our family members write what they are grateful for tomorrow, on a piece of fabric, and then I could make it into a quilt. Too late to get it ready, but a good idea for next year.
Jessica Young
November 21, 2012 at 11:00 amLove , love, LOVE this quilt! The concept, the fabrics you used, everything. What a beautiful project!!
Alisa
November 21, 2012 at 11:35 amIt's a beautiful quilt! I can totally see myself doing it with my kids. They can each take a few blocks and write the things they are thankful for. Love it!
Esch House Quilts
November 21, 2012 at 11:50 amWhat a lovely idea and quilt 🙂 Congratulations!
mindingmomma
November 21, 2012 at 11:59 amLovely quilt! Happy Thanksgiving to you.
IzzyR
November 21, 2012 at 12:06 pmIt is a wonderful quilt ! EH whats a little more tomato ? LOL Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
Melissa {polkadot chair}
November 21, 2012 at 2:20 pmI absolutely adore this quilt! and I'm doubly thankful for tomatoes too!
lifeinredshoes
November 21, 2012 at 2:39 pmWhat a wonderful keepsake. This just went onto my top 10 list of things to make! <br />And hey, tomatoes are important 🙂
Tracee
November 21, 2012 at 2:57 pmWhat a gorgeous idea and such a beautiful keepsake.
vintage grey
November 21, 2012 at 3:47 pmIt is so beautiful Amy!! Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving! xo Heather
Ginette
November 21, 2012 at 6:30 pmWhat a great pattern! I LOVE the idea behind the quilt, you have definitely inspired me to make a Gratitude quilt! My daughter would definitely agree with tomatoes being there twice!! 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving!
linda f
November 21, 2012 at 6:35 pmAmy, <br /><br /><br />Your quilt is gorgeous! Congrats on your pattern in the new moda book.<br /><br />Have a great Thanksgiving.<br /><br />Linda
sandra
November 21, 2012 at 7:10 pmBeautiful quilt and a lovely idea, I love that you hand embroidered it. Tomatoes are my favorite too and their are no mistakes in a quilt it just shows that we are not perfect. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family and all of my American friends.
Sarah Craig
November 21, 2012 at 8:33 pmLove it, Amy! Such a great idea – I can see us using this design for prayer quilts, with one-word prayers embroidered in each block – Faith, Hope, Love, Friendship, Courage, Family – you get the idea! Thanks for sharing such beautiful inspiration!!
Kristie
November 21, 2012 at 10:28 pmThis is just a lovely quilt, and certainly perfect for Thanksgiving. I hope you enjoy a wonderful weekend with your family!
Katy Cameron
November 22, 2012 at 6:44 amFab idea for a quilt, I did have a giggle when I spotted chocolate on there, and then even more at the double tomatoes!<br /><br />Hope you enjoy your holiday :o)
trish
November 22, 2012 at 7:44 amWishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving!<br />Your quilt is precious and so sweet that<br />you added tomatoes twice. We love them<br />fresh from the garden as well! :0)<br />I have a copy of this book and it has<br />fabulous patterns inside! :0)
Thimbleanna
November 26, 2012 at 6:47 amI love it Amy — It's gorgeous!!!
Big House in the Little Woods
November 26, 2012 at 9:22 amI really like the colors in that fabric line. And I think it's absolutely brilliant that you have used signature blocks to highlight your "gratitudes."
Susan @ Blackberry Creek
November 26, 2012 at 3:02 pmI just ordered my copy. I'm going to make me a version of tour grateful quilt. Already making my list. Thanks. I love your quilt
Quilting with a Purpose - Preserving Memories - Diary of a Quilter - a quilt blog
June 27, 2015 at 5:46 pm[…] couple of quilts that have the most personal meaning to me – like my Union Jack Quilt and my Gratitude Quilt. And it got me thinking, I really need to make more quilts that have meaning to record some of our […]
Janis Garber
September 10, 2017 at 7:34 amI absolutely love the colors in this quilt! Would you have the finished size?
Amy
September 11, 2017 at 11:14 amYes! It’s 76″ x 76″.
Rosemaryflower
November 13, 2017 at 4:30 pmThis quilt is a treasure, Amy. I love it
Amy
November 15, 2017 at 9:39 pmThank you, Rosemary!
Mary Galea
November 23, 2017 at 3:55 pmI love this idea Amy! It lends itself to so many variations, but my imagination immediately went to a “family” quilt. My husband and me in the middle, surrounded by children, grandchildren and now, great-grandchildren. It would be easy to leave some blanks to embroider as new weddings are celebrated and as babies arrive. I just love, love, love it.
Lea
November 14, 2019 at 8:25 amOh Amy what a special quilt with so much meaning to it.
Barbara
November 24, 2019 at 6:19 amI love this quilt Amy. I’m thinking of all the words to embroider on my quilt when I make one.
Hope your finger mends soon, and have a warm and cozy Thanksgiving.