Monday, April 2, 2018

One Monthly Goal - April 2018

April is here and it's time to set my goal for the One Monthly Goal hosted by Elm Street Quilts. I love One Monthly Goal because it is simple and allows me to be flexible based on what I think I can manage to do each month. "Any goal that involves a step in the process of making with thread, fabric or yarn is a valid goal."


April 2018 Goal: Finish Baby Quilt Top using Blocks from the Quilter's Planner 2018 Block of the Month Sampler Sew-Along.






I am having a great time making these blocks, and the celestial theme is so fun! But I still have a lot of questions I need to answer for myself before I get to the end product. 

Size: I am still trying to decide what size to make it. I want it to be useful for an infant but also be big enough that it can be used in childhood. Because of this, I haven't decided how many blocks I will use in the top, or if I will use borders to help get it to the right size. I am leaning toward using nine blocks and maybe adding a border. I still can't decide which nine blocks to use. I have made 12 but don't love them all or feel like some "fit." At this moment I'm leaning toward remaking two.

Backing: I am so torn about which backing to choose. I'm leaning toward the first option, but I worry about the dark color fading with washing, and a baby quilt needs to be washed a lot! I want to stick with the sky theme and I don't want it to be too juvenile so it can be used into childhood if. I asked my girls which one they would pick, and of course they did not pick the same one!

What do you think? Help me decide! Which one would you choose and why? 




Linking up with Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal April Linkup

18 comments:

  1. Love your color scheme, and you have great backing options. I'd probably pick one of the bottom two, because I resist directional prints for backings when possible and the solar system one is a bit juvenile, so if that's not your goal, I'd skip that one. I like the Elizabeth Hartman print, but the blue one on the bottom is more sky themed. Hope that helps!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I try to avoid directional prints on backings too, so much can go wrong! I thought the solar system might be busy enough that it could work but I think I might be leaning toward the one you picked as well. I'm not sure why backings can be so difficult for me to pick sometimes. And I still need to pick the binding too! I really appreciate your input!

      Delete
  2. I love flying geese. Do you use the paper piecing method? I definitely prefer your multi-colored first fabric. Often the backs of baby quilts are quite visible. This fabric adds more visual interest. If it is quality fabric, then it should not fade too much. If it does, than it is a well-loved and used quilt.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love paper piecing, but this pattern did not call for. I think this method is called the "no waste" method but I love that you can make them so many ways. I like the "solar system" print a lot too. It is definitely one of my top two and I think it would be fun for an infant to look at. I hate making decisions when there are so many great options!!! Thanks for input!

      Delete
  3. I made two baby quilts recently and washed them before gifting them. You’re right—the dark colors faded with the first wash. So I’d choose the last fabric even though the others are really great.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. I used some black Cotton & Steel Sprinkle in one of my quilts and it has faded a bit. I don't mind it and kind of like the look, but I worry about this happening to a gift! Still, I am using a dark Sprinkle print in this quilt because I love it! I may just take a chance on a dark backing, still can't decide. I appreciate your input!!!

      Delete
  4. My favourite is the one with the planets but other than that I like the grey. i don't have an issue with fading over time. I guess I feel the quilt will just look more loved. You have done a great job on the piecing and like you I'm thinking of switching out some of my blocks in my quilt as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like the planets too! I think it is a fun option for rounding out the theme and gives both sides of the quilt interest. Decisions, decisions! I appreciate your input!

      Delete
  5. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Beautiful blocks. Great colorway.It is going to be a darling baby quilt. The backing, I kinda like the navy one with the clouds the best.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you!!! I am not generally a fan of blue but I love this combo for a baby boy! I like the clouds too, they are so cute. So difficult to decide!

      Delete
  7. Hi Carrie, sorry it’s taken me so long to pop over to visit you. I would definitely choose the gray backing fabric for your baby/child quilt, although they are all lovely. Freckledfoxquiltery@gmail.com (I have decided to add my email address to comments as I have been told in the past that I’m a no reply blogger.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for taking the time to stop by! I love the gray too, with so many options I love it will probably take me long to decide that I never finish this quilt! Thanks for your input!

      Delete
  8. My first choice is the same as yours Carrie! I know what you mean about fading, so you could go with the fourth one. However, I made my grandson a quilt, and he's now 9, and still has it on his bed...and it sees a TON of washing and drying in the dryer (NOOOO--I tried in vain to get my daughter NOT to continually do that) and it has faded, even the quilt-shop-quality fabrics on the front, interestingly perhaps a little more than the Fabricland (like JoAnn) flannelette (yup, not flannel; it was the perfect Leo the Lion and he's a Leo fabric, to adorable NOT to use)! To me, it's a sign of a well-loved quilt, so let it fade. ;-) And yikes! I have forgotten to do my OMG and to link up with the Q1 FAL! Good luck with your OMG!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This personal experience with your grandson's quilt is so helpful!!! I am making the quilt to be used, and faded fabric just means this is happening! I think I am just nervous because I'm making it for someone I don't know too well so I might be overthinking it. Thanks for the helpful input, and good luck with your goal too!

      Delete
  9. Hi Carrie,
    I love all the different blocks you are making for this baby quilt! This quilt will definitely go well beyond babyhood. I really like the first option that you chose or the third one of all stars. I like the colors and movement in the first one, and the third one looks realistically like a night sky. This sounds like a very doable goal for April, and I'm going to follow you so I am sure to see it finished by the 30th. ~smile~ Roseanne

    ReplyDelete
  10. Very nice! Thanks for linking up with Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal and good luck with your project.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I like what you did with the backing for your Alpine quilt.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog!!! I love reading your comments and always respond via email. If you are a no-reply blogger please leave your email.