Frivols Quilts · Quilts

Frivols 1 Is Finished!

Frivols 2018_1

Caitlin’s Baby Quilt • Quilt #192
40″ (approx) square

Frivols 2018_3

I finished the first Frivol and I finished it early — before the end of January, so I was pretty happy with THAT deadline.  As I was making it, I was thinking about my friend Caitlin, who is having a girl after two boys.  I decided she just needed this feminine quilt that isn’t so fussy, that it couldn’t be thrown down on the ground when the family has a picnic.

Frivols 2018_4

It’s my first finish in this year; 2017 saw sixteen finishes, but a lot of them were smaller quilts, so it’s nice to lead off with a good-sized quilt.

Frivols 1_2018_front

I used Carolyn Friedlander’s white-on-white cross-hatch design (from her Architextures line) for the sashing and accent, and then used another white-on-white heart print for the borders.

A lot of contemporary quilters are notorious for not owning up to the traditional name of the block, and this group was no exception.  The block has several names, the most common being “Chimney Sweep,” and it was first published in 1929 by Ruth Finley (I get all my info from Barbara Brackman’s Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns).  It’s also known as “Christian Cross” (from a book published by the Shelburne Museum that listed all their quilts).

Frivols 2018_5 backing

This backing is from a fabric from about a decade ago.

Frivols 2018_2

I quilted it in an overall lazy large meander, and bound it with a fabric that was a nice companion to the Bonnie and Camille line, interspersed with bits of the fabric from the leftover squares, as I don’t plan to make an extra block for a sampler quilt (one feature of the Frivols tins).

My review: if you are a Bonnie and Camille fan, this box is for you.  I haven’t ever sewn with their line, and part of why I’m doing this is to learn about other styles of fabrics.  I found the repetitive blocks easy, once I learned about the misprint measurement.  Resolved: I’m going to look up any errata (errors) first, before I start cutting.  But overall, it didn’t hold my attention, nor was I fascinated with the fabrics or the block. I guess I’ve spent too much designing my own quilts as well as working in highly saturated colors and splashy patterns.  But, like I said, good to have a change.

It will be perfect for Catlin’s little baby girl. On to Frivols #2 in February.

January 2018 • No. 1 – Hello Darling by Bonnie & Camille  DONE!
February 2018 • No. 2 – Polka Dots & Paisleys by Minick & Simpson
March 2018 • No. 3 – Eliza’s Indigo by Betsy Chutchian
April 2018 • No. 4 – Windermere by Brenda Riddle
May 2018 • No. 5 – Petite Prints Deux by French General
June 2018 • No. 6 – Strawberry Fields Revisited by Fig Tree
July 2018 • No. 7 – Songbird Gatherings by Primitive Gatherings
August 2018 • No. 8 – Bread ‘n Butter by American Jane
September 2018 • No. 9 – Little Miss Sunshine by Lella Boutique
October 2018 • No. 10 – The Cookie Exchange by Sweetwater
November 2018 • No. 11 – Sew & Sew by Chloe’s Closet
December 2018 • No. 12 – Blue Barn by Laundry Basket Quilts

10 thoughts on “Frivols 1 Is Finished!

  1. This pattern and fabric makes a purrrfect baby quilt.
    Nice job! Looking forward to viewing all the patterns when finished.
    I see you scheduled The Blue Barn by Laundry Basket Quilts.
    Will you be doing blocks each month?

  2. So cute! I didn’t realize those little tins held so much. I did a B&C quilt year before last. It’s not really for me, but I do love their checks and dots and that they always have navy.

  3. It’s a lovely little quilt. It’s interesting to hear you say the pattern and fabrics didn’t really hold your attention. I’ve been contemplating those very things as I look forward to what I will make this year and why. One of these days I’ll hopefully write a post about my personal thoughts.

  4. Such a pretty quilt Elizabeth! And even though you don’t especially love it, I’m sure Caitlin will. You have lots of lovely quilt options to look forward to.

  5. Thanks for keeping quilt history alive. 🙂 Sometimes I need a pattern that dosn’t hold my attention, like when I go to a retreat and want to talk while I sew. Other times, at home, I like to be so engrossed that I can’t listen to radio or audio books as I work. So much depends . . .

  6. What a lovely effort on your part, Elizabeth! I mean… to make a quilt of blocks and fabrics that are boringly repetitive (personally, I do not like Bonnie and Camille prints), is most admirable. Good for you to persevere, give it the attention you did, and now give it away! Onward into February!

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