I'm so excited that Amy's Blogger's Quilt Festival is here again! I love this event and the crazy amounts of inspiration to be found. This fall I wanted to share my favorite quilt I made this year. Some of you have seen this before. It was my summer project: the red, white, and blue flag quilt.
Here's where it started. As a young adult I lived in the UK a couple of times: once as a student and a year later as a volunteer with my church. When I came home, I left a big piece of my heart behind. I went back for the first time two years ago with my husband, and yup- there was that piece of me still there. Last winter I started working on Union Jacks for a quilt. (Because, in addition to my UK obsession, I just think the Union Jack is cool.)
Well, this summer one of my favorite flat-mates during my time in England was coming to visit me here in the States. She is from Oslo, Norway and I think we are long lost cousins because she is a kindred spirit. (I have a Norwegian great-great Grandfather so it's genetically possible!) We will go for years without seeing each other and then when we do, we just pick-up where we left off like no time has passed. I love those kind of friends.
The best part: all of the fabric was from the stash. Except one. I needed something perfect for the binding and I found just the right thing. I love this quilt so much - I really need to make a matching quilt for myself. In the mean time, maybe I need to go to Oslo to check on the quilt in it's new home. Oh to dream . . .
To see oodles of lovely quilt inspiration, check out the Blogger's Quilt Festival
Past Quilt Blogger Festival entries:
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| Arcadia Quilt |
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| Vintage inspired red, aqua & pink |
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| Peas and Carrots |
Karen says
I so love your flags quilt. Your fabrics are just perfect.
Elizabeth says
Beautiful! What a great quilt!<br /><br />xo -El
Liv says
I love this quilt Amy you are so talented this and your Peas and Carrots quilt are so lovely!! <br />I love your blog and your Flickr photostream. Thanks for sharing !
Isisjem says
Beautiful I love flags used in quilts especially Union Flags. But then I am English so a little biased on that score!
ktquilts says
Great quilt!!! Loved it and its story from the first!!
Linda says
Love this quilt and the sweet story!
jlk says
Great quilt and even better story!
snippetsandyarns says
It's beautiful Amy! And I agree, those are the best kind of friends!<br /><br />~ Meagan
Victoria Paige says
I love that quilt, and the story that goes with it too! <br /><br />Those friends are the best type!
Lisnaweary Quilts says
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live a colorful life says
This is one of my favorite quilts, and the Union Jack is one of my favorite blocks. And such a great story. Love it, Amy!
Angie says
I just love your flag quilts! What lucky friends you are! (Both of you!)
MomBrose says
Gorgeous!! I just love that you chose this one! I'm getting my post ready.
Angela says
such a fun quilt. I think flag quilts have universal appeal no matter what the flag because they are such striking designs. I myself created an all american flag quilt for a little boy who was being adopted by an american family from Guatemala. A little welcome!
Lynne says
I'm a big fan of this quilt and already have it faved on Flickr - I'm a big fan of flags and especially UJs in quilts and I love the story behind this one!
upstateLisa says
very creative!
Kriza says
what a faboulous quilt to give to your friend! you did a great job.<br /><br />thanks for visiting me and your comment!<br /><br />Kristina<br />www.priscillacraft.blogspot.com
Jennifer says
I just love this quilt! Union Jacks are cool and you have such a neat story behind the quilt. <br /><br />Jennifer 🙂
Mom2three says
Beautiful Quilt! I love the colors and it's story. How blessed your friend must be.
A says
Love the quilt - and the story behind it. The colours are really striking together.
Leila says
What a nice story! I love union jacks, they rock!
Rebecka says
I love your quilt and story. I like the way you made the flag design simple for the US flag. Beautiful fabrics!
ANudge says
What a great quilt. I love how you simplified the flags and still kept them recognizable.
Sinta Renee says
Love your quilt!!!
Sarah Craig says
It's gorgeous, Amy! I'm so glad you posted about this one - I loved it the first time and I'm glad to see it again!
RosaMarÃa says
love those flags!!!!<br />it must be fun work in it!
Victoria @ BUMBLE BEANS says
Very cool! I love it! I made one once for my husband, a big union jack, and I never quilted it!! it's stuffed in a cupboard somewhere... you've inspired me to get it out!
searchfamilies says
What a lovely quilt you are certainly flying the flag for us here in the UK<br />Hugs Janice
Miss White Wall says
I really like that quilt. That is such an original idea!
Leslie says
this quilt is amazing. your flags looks so cool. amazing job.
Rene' says
I love your flags quilt!!! It has a wonderful story too. Thanks for sharing!
Allie says
Your flag quilt is awesome! What a fun story, and lucky friend. 🙂
Mary on Lake Pulaski says
Your Union Jack quilt is one of my favorites Amy! I can't believe I don't even own a red, white and blue quilt, but I will remedy that next year for sure and your quilt will be part of the inspiration. Thanks for sharing and telling it's story. Hope a trip to Oslo is in your future.
Cathy says
A fun quilt and a great story to go with it. Thanks for sharing.
Carol says
That is one cool looking quilt lassie 🙂 <br />I have to make one cause I'm from Britain and hubby's grandparents were from Norway 🙂
Aunt Spicy says
oh amy, I could almost cry I love this blanket so much! you are so talented!
Quilting in My Pyjamas says
This is one of the most unique quilts I have ever seen and I mean that as a compliment of the highest order. <br /><br />What a fabulous idea and what a striking quilt. Well done and gorgeously finished. <br /><br />Thanks for choosing this one so we can all share it!
Sandra says
Amy, Hello again.<br />What a crisp, clean, vibrant quilt and what a lucky friend. I played with union jacks a bit with a burgoyne surrounded quilt. Need to get back to it.<br />The store looks great, I was there last Saturday.<br />Come see both my entries but esp. my antique 1890 schoolhouse quilt.
Amelia says
I love this quilt! I have been wanting to make a flag quilt for a while with flags from me and my husband's heritage (Australia, Northern Ireland, Finland and Holland). Thanks for some wonderful inspiration!!
Philippa says
Fabulous quilt and what a great idea. Union jacks seem to be everywhere. I have tea cosy planned for a dear friend who is English - of course now I'm tempted to go the whole way and finally make her a quilt! Thanks for the great inspiration.
Linda says
I like the idea of using flags as quilt blocks. I also love the red white and blue combo. Beautiful quilt!
Jill says
Oh Wow! This is super fun.
QuiltSue says
What a fun quilt. I love it - and no, it's not just cos I'm a Brit living in Britain!
SheilaC says
What a great idea for a flag quilt! Thank you for sharing the story behind it.<br /><br />SheilaC
Rachel says
Love it! I made some pillows using a paper-pieced Union Jack pattern I designed but I never thought to make a quilt with the flags. This is awesome!
Karen says
This flag quilt is great! Fantastic entry for the quilt festival.<br />What a wonderful gift!<br />I also love your Halloween quilt in the next post. Great colours!
Angie says
This is a great quilt! I can't believe that you were able to utilize your stash for this quilt.
Sabine says
My daughter and I both love your flags quilt. We are anglophiles, too, and my daughter is actually thinking of making one herself after having seen yours (she´s twelve). Thanks for sharing.
Nanette Merrill and daughters says
I love this quilt. I love seeing it again. I adore it. I just really want to make one. This is something I really MUST do. I want to put the slovak flag with mine for my dad and the denmark flag for my mom. I think they would be fantastic together. I MUST DO THIS! Thanks so much for inspiring me. Always.
Dresden Quilter says
It is a fabulous quilt. I love all the thought you put into it for your friend.
Christine says
Amazing quilt and gift for your friend. I love it!
Katherine says
What a special and beautiful quilt! I love the story behind the making of it. It seems like it was meant to be made - since you had what you needed in your stash. Love that.
quiltmom says
What an interesting design and great story- The binding is perfect for your friend's quilt.<br />Thanks for sharing. Enjoy the festival - there are so many wonderful pieces to see.<br />Regards,<br />Anna
Robin says
Wow! Nifty quilt! I love how you interpreted the flags and put them all together. The story behind it is great too. Thanks so much for sharing!
Marg says
This is an awesome quilt, I have admired it from afar on flickr. I just love the way you have combined the flags and it has such a great story attached to it. Beautiful!
SLIKstitches says
What a great idea - I especially love it as I was born in Norway, live in the UK, and have both my dad (Norwegian) and my step dad (British) living in America! If Julie doesn't love it, I can give it a good home LOL!!!<br /><br />[email protected]
schmidt1016 says
A great quilt! And a great story. I think you need to go to Norway, just to check on it. Wink, wink.<br /><br />Leslie S. in MN<br />esclante at comcast dot net
Anonymous says
Dear Amy, I love your quilt, Sunniva is here and loves it too. I feel so lucky and blessed to be one of your special friends. You are always welcome over here =)<br />Love Julie
Summer :) says
Beautifully done! 🙂 I love it! 🙂 <br />What a keepsake for a friend! 🙂
Eileen says
such a nice quilt and such a fun story. love your quilt. the pictures are fantastic--love those utah mountains. have a great day and thanks for sharing
Inca says
Love it ... <br />and great looking Norwegian flags. <br />Thanks for honoring my country =)