Friday, June 3, 2016

Twin Size Looking Glass - Birch Farm

My co-worker just welcomed her first foster child into her home after battling infertility for many years and spending almost 2 years to get certified as a foster parent by the state.  What does every new child need?  A quilt!

This is the twin version of Looking Glass.  You can get your own copy of Looking Glass in my pattern shop (digital and print versions) and on Etsy.


The little boy is 3 years old so a baby sized quilt was not going to work.  I decided that I would make a twin size quilt for his new bed.  I only had 2 weeks between the time my co-worker picked the little boy up and our shower for her so at work I needed a quick and fast quilt!

After looking at my growing stack of charm packs, I decided to make a twin size version of Looking Glass.  I had already made a baby size version and a lap size version of the pattern so I knew that it would come together quickly and easily.  There are no half square triangles or flying geese so trimming is kept to a minimum and there are few seams to match (and the seams that do match up all nest).

I have had some Birch Farm charm packs (by Joel Dewberry) in my stash which seemed perfect for a little boy.  I only had 3 packs so I pulled some coordinating fat quarters to extend the charm packs to get enough fabrics to make the quilt.  I went with Kona ash as the background (I figured white would not be a good choice for a little boy).  Ash worked well as I was able to use both white prints and very dark prints in the charm packs because they both contrasted well with the ash.


By the end of week 1, the quilt blocks were made and then sewn into a quilt top.  I used a sheet as the backing (I have a post scheduled for next week talking about what I have learned about using sheets as backing materials).



In the second week, I quilted the quilt with a very simple and larger scale stipple design for its speed and to keep the quilt nice and soft.  After binding with a medium solid gray fabric, the quilt had a little photoshoot (I forgot how hard it is to take good pictures of a big quilt), went for a wash, and got all wrapped up to celebrate the little boy's new home.



My co-worker is such a wonderful person with so much love to give, I am so glad that she has the opportunity to share that love and give a child the best possible start to life.  I hope he loves the quilt!

You can get your own copy of Looking Glass in my pattern shop (digital and print versions) and on Etsy.  This makes my third version of Looking Glass.  Here are the baby, lap, and twin versions together...


I am linking up to Link a Finish FridayWhoop Whoop FridayThank Goodness Its Finished FridayFinish It Up FridayFabric Frenzy Fridayand Show Off Saturday @ Sew Can She.






26 comments:

  1. What a fun quilt for a little boy. Congrats on the finish. Two weeks to make a quilt is pretty fast!

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  2. I hope he will be very happy with his new family. You must have been going some, well done. Lovely colours

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  3. It looks beautiful! congrats to your friend on her new son.

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  4. This is so perfect for a little boy! I just love that fabric collection. Your coworker sounds like an amazing person - so happy to read she's now got a little boy to love!

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  5. Well done! I love the variation in fabrics with the gray background. So happy for your coworker too!

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  6. A what a beautiful and thoughtful gift. The fabrics are perfect for a little boy and the color combinations are very calming. It's a great quilt that can grow with him at any age.

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  7. Gorgeous! So cool to see the pattern as different sizes and in different color ways.

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  8. Cheryl, this turned out beautiful.
    I think you mentioned something months ago about using sheets -- and for example one from Target? Or maybe it was some one else.... sorry.
    Anyway, Yes!! I do use sheets as backing too. If I like it, and it is soft, I will use it.
    I have even used flannel sheets.
    They do make great backing.
    I love this pattern, and I really like your three variations

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  9. What an amazing gift to make for your co worker and her new foster son. Congratulations for the fast finish, too!

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  10. This quilt looks wonderful in this version. It's so interesting to see the various versions on the quilt.

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  11. Another one made with love and caring thoughts, I am sure it will be treasured , and for the wee boy, a new home, and his own special quilt, I can imagine him hugging it every day.

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  12. Wow Cheryl what a quick turnaround and such a lovely result. I am sure the little boy will love this quilt and it will become very treasured over time.

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  13. What a wonderful way to welcome a new child to a family!!!

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  14. That is so pretty. I love the colors, and I love the pattern, it is so fun and easy!!!

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  15. Such a great news! It was very nice of you make this beautiful quilt for him. I know it will be loved :)

    -Soma

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  16. What a lovely quilt! I adore those colors. I'm sure it will be treasured.

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  17. This is a really nice gift to welcome him into his new home.

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  18. Love those colours together for a little boy, and great fast finish! Hope he settles in to his new home very happily.

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  19. I love Birch Farm, what a great quilt!

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  20. Oh, what a sweet and gorgeous gift! I love the ash in the background - makes those colors really pop. Beautiful finish, Cheryl!

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  21. I adore these fabric choices! My son's nursery is done in grey, awe and green. I made his crib set and everything myself and this literally matches them perfectly! Such an amazing quilt and what a wonderful reason to make it, great job :)

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  22. Such a great colour combination for what looks like a good scrap-buster project - love it!

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  23. This version might just be my favorite. I love the colors. Lucky little boy. I hope he enjoys it and feels the love.

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  24. Love this color combo - it works so well for a boy's quilt. Isn't it great how versatile Kona Ash can be? It's one of my favorites to use as a background.

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  25. I think this one is my favourite of the 3 you've done! How wonderful to foster a child after going through what she has, truly a testament to her loving nature and character. :-)

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Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment!