Wednesday, October 12, 2016

The Cully May Quilt pattern...


It's ready.
After a good chat about what life is like living in a hot tropical area Blossom and I decided not to go with the Minky backing or the traditional three layer quilting finish after all.

Many years ago I made her a summer quilt backed only with cotton fabric, and it's still one of her favourites because it's soft, perfect for our nine months of hot days and steamy humid nights, and light. 

We decided that's exactly what was needed for sweet little Cully May too.

Perhaps I should first of all show you our little granddaughter? She's almost 10 weeks old now and a gift beyond words. On Sunday Mr E and I had the delight of babysitting her for the afternoon...


She played, cooed, smiled, and eventually slept beside me on the couch. I could watch her for hours...


But back to the quilt.
A simple cotton backing, not the pink spot I'd originally considered but a sweeter bird print that married with the birds in my stitcheries and the birds in the main fabric borders.


I machine quilted inside the main borders, but hand quilted around both borders of the nine embroidery blocks...



The binding is more of the floral/bird print I used in the main borders...


I'll wash the quilt before I give it to Cully May.
My hope is that she loves it, that she carries it everywhere and wraps it around her dollies in years to come.


I believe quilts are to be used, to be loved, that they become part of your life.

Sorry if that upsets some of you (a few emails begged me not to let her use it but to keep it untouched)  but my children and their children all use their quilts, and that's exactly why I make them. If they stored them away I wouldn't bother. What would be the point?



The free QUILT layout pattern can be downloaded HERE.

The embroideries are not included in this pattern but I have put links inside the pattern in case you'd like to purchase them.

The pattern can also be made without the embroideries and I have addressed that in my sewing instructions.

Enjoy sewing your own 'Cully May' quilt!

Have a blessed day,


33 comments:

jangunter@live.com said...

Oh pooh...she should have it and drag it every place under the sun!!! As my Kids, Grandkids have with quilted, crocheted blankets and other things I have made for them! I loved used and abused, and loved until they are ragged! we can patch and repair them when needed!

Hugs my friend <3

Createology said...

Thank you Jenny Dear for sharing your Cully May quilt tutorial. I also agree that used and loved is far better than pristine and saved/ignored. Decades ago I crocheted full size ripple afghans and matching pillows for all my in-laws family members...6 full sets. I was so unhappy to see that they stuffed them away in closets. I learned they were so snobby they only wanted and liked store purchased gifts.

Anonymous said...

Over the years I've made many baby quilts for my Great-nieces and nephews. I'm with you, if they didn't intend to use the quilts I wouldn't have bothered to make them. Here in Minnesota, with our cold winters, the quilts really are for keeping warm and cuddling under. Thank you for sharing this beautiful project and the lovely little girl who is lucky enough to receive your creation! - Diane from Minnesota

Águeda said...

Thank you very much.
I'm agree with you: the quilts must be used . They are a loving hug from the quilter and it must be enjoy. With a little care and big love, The quilts will be beautifull for a long time. The signs of use are beautifull like life is lived.
Have a good day.

Ondrea said...

Absolutely adorable and quite beautiful, just like Cully May. I agree with you. Quilts are to use. If I don't want a quilt used I will make myself something to hang up on display. My quilts for my grandchild are going to be used. Thankyou for sharing the pattern with us.

Jude said...

Hi Jenny,

Cully May and her special quilt are both gorgeous, the quilt will be perfect as you finished it, very versitile and it is sure to be well admired along with Cully May and will be greatly loved and used for years to come. It is good to see well loved. Love the fabrics too, thank you for sharing. Judithann :-).

Jude said...

Hi Jenny, I am still admiring Cully May and her beautiful quilt. Just wondering what the fabric range is, love your choices and how you put it together, also the size is a good guide for babies first quilt, thank you. Judithann :-)

Unknown said...

I too make a lot of quilts for my grand babies and love to see them used, the more the use and wash them the softer they get and I have 8 grand babies and all their quilts are well used

Baa. xxx said...

Cully continues to get more and more beautiful! Love the quilt- what a great idea not to put batting in to make it so lovely and light!

Jenny of Elefantz said...

Judithann, the fabrics are from my stash...a couple are about 10 years old.

Jan said...

What a lovely quilt, Jenny. It's a treasure to be loved and used.

Terry said...

What a beautiful quilt! And a beautiful granddaughter too. I could watch Ava for hours too. And I agree...the quilts I make are made to be used.

Christina said...

She's getting so big and just so adorable. Yes, some specialty quilts and such are meant to be decorative. But overall I'm in agreement they are meant to be used and loved on. As always, THANK YOU for the pattern. You have such a generous and giving heart.

allthingzsewn said...

Such a sweet quilt and I agree with you, I want my quilts to I want my quilts to be used. Thank for the pattern. I want to buy the embroidery too. It is just perfect.

Beca said...

Beautiful!
xx Beca

allthingzsewn said...

Jenny, I had no problem getting quilt pattern downloaded but the embroidery pattern keeps failing. I have gotten the email showing paypal has paid for it and it is showing on my patterns to download. That is far as it goes. Any suggestions? I tried 5 different times.

Megan said...

Jenny--this little quilt is so sweet and I know your little granddaughter will cherish it for years to come. I have made many quilts without batting. It is hot here on the barrier island on the east central Florida coast and heavy quilts are not practical. Nice to see others do the same. I usually use a light weight flannel for my backing. I will do my next one with cotton backing. Love all your tutorials and patterns. Blessings...

Donna said...

Hi Jenny, I love this quilt. Thanks for the lay-out for it. I love the soft colors of this fabric you chose. My girls had quilts like this made by family members for them. I like them for coolness and comfort. Your work is so pretty!

Kathleen said...

A beautiful quilt for a beautiful little baby. And I agree, it should be used. I am currently making a quilt for my niece's baby-to-be in January. And I'm going to tell her it is a floor quilt for the baby to play on!

Nancy Page said...

Your new granddaughter is adorable and so, so sweet, just precious!! She is so pretty and has a great head of hair! Thank you for sharing her with us. Thank you for the wonderful pattern. Your are so thoughtful!
Have a super great sewing and stitching day!

Anonymous said...

I'm with you. Use it, I'll make another one. =) Beautiful quilt, beautiful baby. Lucky Blossom!

Winifred said...

That would be so cruel for her not to be able to use it. It's absolutely gorgeous! Like her she's a beauty isn't she.

Susie said...

she is such a doll - a real blessing. Thank you for sharing the pattern. The quilt is stunning. I'm sure she will treasure it forever.

Martha Roberts said...

Love, love, love this post from beginning to end. Beautiful baby girl, beautiful baby quilt!

ladyfée/Martine said...

merci beaucoup Jenny pour ce superbe cadeau ! je ne sais pas quand je le ferais, il faut que je fasse avant tout les broderies ! mais ce quilt est magnifique ! un superbe cadeau pour votre petite fille. j'ai fait aussi un patch à ma petite fille pour son Noël dernier, elle le pose sur son lit, c'était le premier que je finissais complètement ! bonne journée ! Ladyfée/Martine

selina said...

of cos quilts are to be used! & what a beautiful quilt it is too for a very beautiful baby!
thanx for sharing

Lesley Gilbert said...

Loved the photo of Cully May with her proud Pops - so much love to give on each visit, ahhhh :)
Your quilt it beautiful and may be the pattern I use for the 'muted' fabrics I'm collecting. Thanks for sharing x

Susan said...

I agree that a quilt you made for someone, should be used, not packed away out of sight. Thanks for the pattern. I prefer to have something light over me when I sleep even when it is hot and muggy. I generally just use a top sheet. But when it drops 10 degrees, I switch to two top sheets--same idea, but yours is nicer!

C Reeder PhxAz said...

My mother in law made such great quilts. Each to fit the personality of who it was for. She insisted they immediately be put to use. Both my kids used theirs all the time and loved them. They soften with age and really appear loved.

BJK said...

Thank you for the beautiful pattern. I was wondering what type of embroidery thread you used on this quilt. Is it a variegated thread, or do you switch colors often? Thank you!

Jenny of Elefantz said...

BJK, the stitcheries were sewn with a variegated thread.

Unknown said...

Just beautiful!!! Both quilt & babe :).

V.E. (Wales) said...

Of course your pretty quilt should be used –what a lovely way to wrap your love around Cully May, even when she’s not near to you. My youngest g’daughter was 5 yrs old, staying with us while her Mum had chemotherapy - she admired a new blouse I was wearing, saying ‘Nanna, I would like that as a pillowcase to take home with me, to feel you near me’. MMMmmmm, what would you do?? She’s almost 20 now and the pillowcase (not a great work of art to start with) is still with her, faded, repaired, loved, complete with pocket for a tiny teddy she had. Give small gifts with great love, especially to children