a big bee quilt!

What do you get when you combine hot pink with large insects? Why, my newest finished quilt!

I fell in love with this large bee print fabric from Melody Miller’s latest line, Ruby Star Spring, when she first showed sneak peeks of it. I was thrilled when she sent along a bit of each of three prints, including the wonderful bee print.  I wanted to feature the bees, so I fussy cut two big bee blocks and used them as the starting point for these uneven stacked blocks.

I decided to quilt it with randomly-spaced horizontal straight lines. I used a great variegated Sulky thread that’s mostly pink, but also changes to purple, orange and yellow, and I think it works well to pick up some of the colors of the other great solids in this quilt.

I splurged and bought more of the bee print for the backing. I love that it’s 62″ wide so it fit this quilt without having to piece it. (I adore pieced backings, but occasionally it’s nice to use one solid piece, you know?) I used the same pink solid for the binding. I like how it blends in on the front, but provides a lovely border on the backing.

And can I tell you how lightweight and soft this is now that it’s finished? I hadn’t thought about it, but it seems that the combo of the lightweight Pure Elements fuchsia solid and the linen blend Ruby Star Rising prints makes for a quilt with a really great weight – just perfect for the end of summer!

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And speaking of this fabulous big bee print, don’t you think it would make a perfect skirt? If so, you’re in luck, because you can now find a free pattern (and video tutorial!) over at Whipstitch. Take a peek at this cute video Melody created!

I have my pattern printed out, and I’m hoping to run over to Nido tomorrow to pick up a bit more of the bee fabric…

Wishing you all a very happy weekend!