Graduation Smiles

The school year is ending, and our church youth group is graduating a large senior class of very talented young people. One of my dear friends, in anticipation of her only child heading off to Boone in two short months, started quilting with me this spring, and made her first two Jelly Roll Race quilts, then decided to make her daughter a perfect school-colors-for-the-dorm-room quilt.

She bought the pattern "Kwik Shifted Blocks" by Two Kwik Quilters while on the shop hop here in eastern NC in February. Unfortunately, the pattern only finishes 48" x 62" and she wanted a twin quilt. So, we made a color photocopy of the pattern picture, and tried doubling it, and adapting the middle border. Pretty advanced stuff for a beginning quilt maker!

She spent lots of her limited "free" time piecing for the last few weeks.

I love the fun fabrics she chose! Mustaches, bananas, and even elephants!

We decided to quilt it in charcoal gray Glide in the "Ebb & Flow" design that complemented this modern design.

The backing fabric is fabulous!

After auditioning a couple of options for binding, we decided a wide black binding would be best. So I cut 3.5" strips of Kona black, and attached it with a half inch seam allowance on the back of the quilt, and turned it to the front for top-stitching, making sure to miter the corners.

After the quilt was finished, we decided the piéce de résistance would be a matching sham!

I think this is my new favorite quilt!

Graduation is exciting for students, but traumatic for parents. I'm grateful for the part I played as quilting coach...some might say enabler...to make sure this dearly loved child is wrapped in her mama's hug every night while she sleeps.