Today is my stop on the Rainy Days Sewing Book Tour! I have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of this book since I first saw it on pre-order back in February 2017, and let me tell you it is certainly worth the wait! Every single project in there I want to make that narrowing it down to just one was almost impossible!

Recently I have had a yearning to make a quilt that is quick and simple and satisfying so when I saw the Sidewalk Quilt I knew it would give me that fix. It was also the perfect opportunity to highlight some of my favourite prints from the new Anniversary Liberty Tana Lawn collection. This a great project to use up those scraps, charm squares or feature your precious prints you have been saving for a rainy day (see what I did there!?😉). I paired the Liberty with cotton from Kona in Ballet Slipper and Snow.

I think this may be the fastest quilt I have ever made, and not because I rushed it. There are 9 blocks which are made up of 4 half square triangles (HST). You’re making the HST’s 2 at a time meaning not only do you have zero waste it also speeds up the time it takes to make. The “Sidewalks” are striped pieced and cut into units so again saving so much time. Measuring 48″ by 48″ I had this pieced in an afternoon! How satisfying is that!!

I was hoping my “Sidewalks” would stand out a more, and was a little disappointed that they didn’t, having said that I do love the softness of it all and that it gives the Liberty all the glory.

Up next was the quilting and this is always my most daunting part of any quilt making! The quilt in the book has been quilted with wavy lines and I loved the effect it gave, so I thought I would do the same. I’m not going to lie the perfectionist in me did struggle with this concept, it goes against my need to be perfect and neat. However it was amazingly liberating and for the first time ever I actually enjoyed quilting! So my lines are not perfectly wavy (is that a thing!?) and there may be a few errors in there but I love how it all blends together and takes away from any imperfections there may be. Not forgetting to mention the AMAZING texture it has given it and yet still soft enough to give it that lovely soft and snuggly feel. I used Aurifil 50wt in colour #2405 and was really pleased with the match, it was a perfect for the pink and the white, blending in with both and not showing up at all. I then of course had to add some hand quilting details using Aurifil 12wt in #2425.

For the backing I chose Riley Blake Designs Shabby Cloud in Coral. I am honestly so in love with this fabric that I want to buy a whole bolt! So dreamy and such a perfect backing. The binding is also by Riley Blake Designs. I love the finishing touch the stripey binding gives and adds another pop to the quilt.

As I said at the beginning of this post I struggled to pick just one project to make, so using lovely Liberty again I made the pillow too. This was another fast and fun project. Perfect when you are stuck indoors with bad weather and in need of a quick sewing fix. I even attempted wavy lines again!

I am really pleased with how both these turned out and cannot wait to dive into another project from the book, with 18 to choose from I am sure to be busy for a while!

Both projects fit perfectly on my daughter’s bed so it looks like she has gained another quilt to her collection, making this her third! Not bad for an almost 4 year old!

Although I am tempted to squirrel it away as it would make a lovely gift for a new baby girl!

Thank you for stopping by my blog today, I hope you have enjoyed seeing my makes. Below is a list of all the other talented participants in the Book Tour. I am hugely honoured to have been asked to be a part of this tour, I honestly had to pinch myself when Amy asked me. I have been a huge fan of both Amy and Kristyne for many years. I came across Amy’s blog in the early days of me exploring sewing online, and I remember soaking up every word she wrote and each and every picture. Her style and attention to details blew me away, I loved everything she made! Shortly after, I discovered Kristyne’s blog Pretty By Hand, I couldn’t get over how everything she made was so sweet, so perfect and so very pretty. They have both been a huge inspiration to me, and people I aspire to be like. It has been a dream come true to work with them and be included in such a talented group of makers!