United Scraps of America - Grand Finale

The United Scraps of America quilt is FINALLY finished.

 If you are keeping track, I started the process of creating this quilt back in February, when I picked through my scraps of fabric {thank goodness, I am a fabric hoarder} and deliberated over which piece would go with which state.

Then, over the next month, I hand whip stitched EACH state into place.  And, in the process, I may or may not have developed carpal tunnel syndrome :)

For months after, I held onto my quilt.  I had put so much work into it, it was hard to hand it over for quilting.

Last month, I did just that. I finally put it in the capable hands of The Queen of Quilts, my mom.

And, in her very capable hands and her professional long arm quilting machine, she stipple quilted...

a tight and detailed free motion design...

around the entire United States...

into each detailed groove of each detailed state.

Then there was a matter of quilting the states themselves.

So, she outlined each state, changing the color of her thread to match the color of fabric for each state, just as I had done when I whip stitched them.

The precision of which she outlined each state is barely visible from the front of the quilt

but, when you turn the quilt over, you can appreciate the detail she was able to achieve.

Even though, I am fully aware of what the Queen of Quilts is capable of, there are still projects, like this one, when I look at it in complete awe of her talent. 

Since I have already started on a second United Scraps of America quilt, I have this one listed in my Etsy shop for sale along with some other homemade gifts like these.

I am very fortunate to have many special and meaningful quilts from the Queen of Quilts.  So parting with the United Scraps of America will be easier curled under this beautiful quilt.

The Queen of Quilts

The Queen of Quilts, my mom {a title I have given her}, has done it again.

Not too long ago, my friend's son,

was born. I asked my mom to make, what has become her trademark quilt, a 'name quilt' for him. Graciously, she agreed.

I found the cutest United States fabric, displaying every state and what that state is known for, from Hobby Lobby. This fabric is what inspired and drove the design for the rest of the quilt.

My friend, met and married her husband in Illinois. A few years later, they moved to Indiana where they started their family. Given the meaning these two states have for this family, it seemed fitting they be highlighted within the quilt.

The Queen of Quilts adds a personalized label to the backside of the every quilt she makes. The label she typically adds involves a picture of the parents {or family} along with the sweetest saying:

For this quilt, though, I wanted something different. Since the state fabric was the theme of the quilt, I wrote a saying, I thought summarized the quilt and embraced the sentiment their family has and will live by:

The wonderful thing about these quilts, even though she has made countless, each is unique, thoughtful and personalized. In attempts to personalize them even further, she's even been known to added birth information to a square.

Personally, I think they are the perfect addition to any nursery.

These quilts also make the cutest prop for newborn pictures.

Of all the countless 'name quilts' she has made, I do have a favorite...

You aren't surprised Grace has one, are you?

If you wanted to see more of 'The Queen of Quilts' and her collection, you can pop over to facebook and check them out.