Plus Quilt

It was the firm's holiday party. Most folks gravitated to those they already knew, from their offices.  I wanted to introduce Paul to one of the senior managers, who was talking to an Indian couple (let's call them the Kumars, although that is not their real name).  I recognized Mr. Kumar. He was from the other office. We had exchanged emails once but had not met. I also noticed that his wife was pregnant. Just then the senior manager noticed me. I greeted him and introduced him to Paul. Others standing in the circle followed suit. In the next few minutes, the senior manager was pulled in a different direction and we were left chatting with the Kumars.

Plus Quilt in the Morning Light

Paul is such a hit with Indian folks. Because he knows a few sentences in Hindi and he watches Hindi movies and he has been to India twice. For all those reasons and his generally charming personality, most Indians find him endearing as he relates his experiences about his visit to India and his favorite  Bollywood movies. There have been times when he has made recommendations about what movie they should watch! Paul even has a couple of favorite Indian actresses. I think it is Anushka Sharma these days. Naturally the Kumars were amused and intrigued and we ended up sitting at the same table chatting the whole evening.

Bright, Bright and more Bright!!!

Imagine my surprise when a few weeks into the new year I received an invitation to the Kumar's baby shower. We had met just once on the night of the holiday party and I was touched that they had remembered. The shower was in April.  I decided to make a quilt for the baby shower. I chose a simple Plus pattern for the top and a cute baby fabric for the backing.

Plus Block 3" grid

Inspired by Jasmine of QuiltKisses, I had wanted to make a Plus Quilt for a while now. But I wanted it super simple too. Instead of having interlocked pluses (which relies on exact placement of squares), I chose free standing plus signs in rainbow colors. Each block is made up of four white squares, 3.5", 2 colored squares, 3.5" and one rectangle of color 3.5" by 9.5". The block is 9.5" square, finishing at 9". The blocks are separated by a white strip 3.5" by 9.5". Then I staggered the blocks in alternating rows. The quilt top measures 39" by 45".

13 full and 4 partial squares

As I was putting the top together, I said to Paul.

Me: Do you know what I want to write on the card attached to the the quilt?
Paul: No, I don't.
Me: Congratulations on the new "ADDITION" to your family. Get it?
Paul: You are so punny!!!

Backing

The baby shower never happened. The baby came a few days before the shower. The invitation was cancelled. I sent a congratulatory email, hoping all was well with the mom and the new baby. The quilt was almost complete. But with the shower cancelled, I had little inclination to finish it. Other projects beckoned. I put away the plus quilt.

Isn't this super cute?

Adorable!!!

I started work on a Rainbow quilt (that is the next post). I finished the Rainbow Quilt last week.  No, I did not blog about it because I do not want the recipient to see it here before they receive it. Riding on the high of a finish, I pulled out the Plus quilt and finished it too.  It was Saturday morning. Time to go to Curves. I took the finished Plus quilt with me to show to Nancy, my Curves instructor. She is such a cheerleader. As expected, she gushed over it and her enthusiasm warmed my heart. Let me display it here, she said, where everyone can see it. Then she draped the quilt on the front desk.

Quilted with zig zag lines, using the walking foot

Dark Brown Binding to match the Backing

In walked Mrs. D and oohed and aahed over the quilt. Before she could ask, Nancy pointed in my direction and yelled - She made that!!! Mrs. D was very interested in the quilt and asked me if I would part with it. Her granddaughter, Riley would love it, she added. Of course, I would. I was happy that the quilt was going to a good home.
But, I want to take a few pictures first for my blog. I can add a label too, if you want, I said.  She agreed.
I brought the quilt home, took pictures, added a label with Riley's name on it and gave it to her two days ago. This is quilt #8 for 2015 and I am very happy with the way it turned out. I hope that this quilt brings smile to Riley's face.

Elephants too!!!

There is a saying in Hindi which roughly translated means - Every grain has the eater's name written on it. It relates to having unexpected (not unwelcome) guests. So you share your meal with those guests and say something like - You know, your name was written on this meal!
I have a feeling that the same can be said about fabric. Every fibre has the user's name written it.

Did that ever happen to you? Made it for one and gave it to another?
I'd love to hear from you, as always.