My husband takes walks. Daily walks where he brings home dozens of flower and leaf photos. He specializes in color, in contrast, in finding whatever others pass over as they zip by in their cars, Southern-California style. He brings a lot of joy to my life and to those who know him.
He also single-handedly decorates our house for Christmas, with lights and a forest of little pine men: his nutcracker collection, gathered from far and wide. And so this Christmas, even though he was always around the house (due to covid and being newly retired), I decided to make him a quilt, a cozy flannel quilt — his favorite.
I’d had my eye on Bonnie Sullivan’s Woolie Flannels Over and Down Under pattern, and had purchased the pattern, the jelly roll and border fabric waaaaay back in March, thinking I’d sew while he was at work. Hahaha.
So December 8th, I cut the bazillion little squares from a jelly roll then lost my mind once or twice trying to get it up on the design wall. (Yes, that little stitchery does say “Choose thy Love…Love thy Choice.” It’s from my cross-stitch days and I still believe in the saying.)
How to sew this together? I decided to do it in nine-patches, and then sew the outer rectangles together. I listened to audiobooks, kept sewing.
Still sewing after several days, I made a sign and taped it to my sewing room.
I realized after I finished the center, that it would not be nearly tall enough for him. I ordered some more black herringbone woolie flannel, praying that the dye lots would be close enough. The order got caught in the Great Christmas 2020 Mailing Slowdown, and I checked my email everyday to see where it was. Finally, after a loooong (felt to me) wait, it showed up a few days before Christmas.
But luckily the hard work of piecing was over, so I sewed a great large swath of the border fabrics on the sides, top and bottom, then moved the Mrs. Claus sign over to our guest bedroom, also known as the Quilting Room. I pinned it all together on my kitchen counter, took it back upstairs and went to town on the quilting. One long day later it was done. I chose to do a very large meander on it, because I wanted it to feel soft and snuggly, and I knew that loosely quilted quilts feel that way.
One day when he went back up to his office at the university, I bound it, then machine-stitched that down, and even got it wrapped and put beside our tree (the large red package).
Of course, you all know Dave from the great job he does supporting me in my quilting adventures, as well as scoping out great photography locations. He is a premier member of the Husband Holding Quilts Association.
Quilt Number 240
Here is the finished product, about 85″ high, 65″ wide. I ran it through the washer and dryer to crinkle it up a little bit before giving it to him. Merry Christmas, Dave!
And here’s his gift to you: a couple of more beautiful photos, published on his Instagram account of @toxdae (he’s a toxicologist by profession). Follow if you want a bouquet in your feed.
OccasionalPiece--Quilt! 
I’ve always wanted to make that quilt. I’m sure he loves it! And his photos are beautiful
It is so interesting how much talent there is in your household! You both have the artist’s eye, just use different media. Love the quilt, love the photos – thank you so much for sharing!
Another beautiful quilt with I’m sure much love in every stitch 😉. Lovely photos from Dave as well. Thank you for sharing ⛄️🤶🏻❄️
The first photo of the flower is so beautifully eye catching. Wonderful quilt and you will always remember how you made it right under his nose during the covid time. Cozy quilts are the best. Merry Christmas!
Beautiful quilt! I love your little saying, it is very appropriate. Dave’s photos are stunning!
Over and Down Under was a pattern right in your wheelhouse, very graphic and made to order with lots of color for Dave!
A great soft and cozy finish, Iove it!
Dave’s photo’s are amazing and electric. You both have similar artistic talents.
What a match!
Happy Holidays
Carol
What a wonderful post – one of the best ever! This is such a wonderfully special quilt for all the right reasons and undoubtedly Dave will enjoy it for years to come. I’ve always loved his nutcracker collection and this view is great – and those birds!!! Yours or his? You two are a great set of bookends 🙂
Happy Holidays!
Thanks for the beautiful photos Dave.
Best wishes for the New Year! Thanks for sharing your beautiful work and the amazing photos of Dave!
Myrto
That is a knock-out quilt! The colors on the black background really make it pop. Thank you both for for the beautiful post.
This sure is a beautiful quilt and so cozy! The black background makes it!
You sure were diligent about making good use of “Mrs. Santa” time to get that made while he was unaware – or maybe aware, but just too sweet to let on or speculate. He’s sure a keeper, and you’ve made the perfect guy quilt. Great work! He takes great photos too. The best is the last one of the glowing geranium. I’ve never seen a bloom look that good!
I love the photo of the BACK of the quilt with all the seams showing. It makes my head hurt, but I like looking at it!
It does indeed look cozy. Now go snuggle underneath it with him.
Oh my, what an eye candy post! The quilt came out so well. I can just feel how cozy it is! Dave’s photos and decorating both dazzle. I love the tableau of your coffee table, gifts, and brass Christmas tree.
It turned out great and I’m sure he will love curling up in it. Flannel is so cozy. That is such a fun pattern. His photos are wonderful too.
I have loved and admired that quilt from the first time I saw the pattern!!! Dave’s turned out beautifully and flannel to boot..BONUS!! Dave is an amazing photographer, such beautiful photos. Sounds like a match made in heaven!!
What a lovely write-up! And, the quilt itself is gorgeous, the dark borders making the colored squares beam.
Well, you’ve done it again and it is so amazing! It looks so warm and inviting. What a wonderful labor of love. It’s a good thing that the two of you have together. XO
Gorgeous! And a clever way to do secret sewing.
What a wonderful quilt and those pictures are fabulous!
Happy New Year.
What a sweet gift! I imagine having him home was both wonderful and frustrating.
Beautiful quilt! And the photographs too, bursts of colour.
Love the ribbon weave quilt, especially the colors 🙂