Three Little Bears

I don't have many work friends...you all know I'm a solitary sort of person. Still, work days are long and having people to talk to around the office makes for a better day. In an effort to kindle these tiny flames of friendship, I've started asking some of the ladies to go out to lunch with me. It's been a great way to get to know everyone a little better.

I've grown particularly close with one woman in the group. Heidi and I first got to know each other while driving to a very far away meeting. After talking nonstop during the 5 hour road trip, we were sad for the day to be over.

A few months ago, Heidi told me she was expecting her third boy (her son is 3, her step-son is 8). I immediately started planning a quilt for the new baby. In the middle of cutting fabric, I decided it would be fun to make a quilt for each of the three boys. I already had the fabric out so the cutting part was easy. Only after I cut all the fabric did I realize what I'd gotten myself into. I'd have to actually finish three quilts in just a few months.

The good news is that after a few freak-out quilting marathons, I finished them a week before the baby was born!

Three Little Bears Quilts

I wanted all three quilts to have the same pattern and fabrics to symbolize their family...they're all brothers even if they don't all live in the same house every day. When they're all together at Heidi's house, they can snuggle with these matching blankets and enjoy their time together as a family.

Because that's what boys do, right? They spend most of their time snuggling and being all cute...right?! Poor Heidi...

Three Little Bears Quilts

As I was sewing these quilts, I kept thinking of Goldilocks and the Three Bears...I wanted each brother to have a quilt that's just right.

The baby bear quilt is made up of 4" (finished) HST blocks and measures 40"x40".

The middle bear quilt is made up of 6.5" (finished) HST blocks and measures 52"x65".

The big bear quilt is made up of 9" (finished) HST blocks and measures 54"x72".

Three Little Bears Quilts

The pattern and fabrics are completely 100% inspired by this most beautiful quilt.

Three Little Bears Quilts

All are backed in flannel and quilted the same. None have batting because I wanted these to be soft summer-weight quilts.

Three Little Bears Quilts

I have to tell you that I'm totally in love with this quilting. It took a long time but I loved every second. I quilted for 12 hours one day and when I came down at the end of the night, I told Ian that it was my best day ever! I think he was a little offended.

Three Little Bears Quilts

I spray basted for the first time and it worked really well. There was no stretching, creeping or puckering...even when quilting on the diagonal. I wonder how much of that is because I didn't use batting.

After making three nearly identical quilts, I was a little sick of blue/green/grey and half square triangles. But when I gave them to Heidi...well, I sort of wish I'd made just one more for me. I'll keep that in mind for next time.

Comments

  1. Your quilts are wonderful!... very masculine. I LOVE the family unity thing. What a great idea.

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  2. They all look great -- it's a great combination of fabrics/colours.

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  3. What lovely gifts! Siblings always appreciate something when the baby is getting most of the attention. You have made a friend for life!

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  4. These are spectacular! I absolutely love how they're similar yet different. Nicely done!

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  5. I love them! I love how they are the same but all different sized squares! And I can't believe you got no puckers, tucks, or gathers! Was it not having batting or are you just that damn good? hmmm....Well, I'd love to know the secret b/c I'll be doing great and then all of a sudden I get a tuck or pucker. Makes me so mad that I never want to straight line quilt again. But then I look at something like this and it's so gorgeous and PERFECT! These are really nice and it was very nice of you to make one for each boy! They will love them!

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  6. Those are beautiful!! I love that you sized up the HSTs as well as the size of the quilt, it's such a sweet and fantastic touch. :D

    I love basting spray!! I use it with batting and very rarely get a pucker, and that's usually only when I was lazy about smoothing out one side or the other. :)

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  7. What a wonderful idea and story and a gorgeous trio of quilts. Inspiring!

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  8. These look awesome! What a clever idea to have different sized HSTs for each of the three boys.

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  9. These are adorable! What a great idea for three siblings!

    Jennifer :)

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