The Faux Patchwork Quilt.

I love love love this fabric! It's Pear Patchwork Red from Superbuzzy. I bought it months ago with the intention to turn it into a picnic blanket. Can't you just picture summer picnics on this sweet patchwork? I didn't have much use for a picnic blanket during the winter months, so this project kept getting pushed aside. Spring didn't leave me with much time for picnics, but now that Summer is here I am looking forward to the first of the season, and that of course requires a new blanket! It isn't quite finished yet, but it's supposed to rain over the next few days so I wanted to snap a picture of it outside while I could.

I like to call this my 'cheater quilt' because the patchwork is printed right on the fabric. It is perfect for a first time quilter who wanted a simple weekend project that provided great results! I also wanted something big so that at least two people plus a picnic could fit comfortably on top.

I used a natural cotton batting on the inside. It adds a bit of thickness and weight to the quilt, but it's fairly thin and light so the quilt isn't too heavy or stiff. The backing is a plain cotton fabric in a beige tone. The front is so busy that I wanted something solid for the back. I plan to bind the edges with red to pick up the red in the pattern as well as the front seams (which don't show up very well in the pictures).

There will be seams running the other way, but I'm having trouble deciding how to space them. The patchwork pattern repeats every four squares across, and every six squares down. I wanted to have the seams create squares on the fabric, but I'm not sure I want to break up the pattern. I guess that is something I'll have to figure out soon! I cannot wait to use this blanket!

Next time I will do it the 'real way' with real patchwork squares and maybe even some interesting stitching. For now, I am very happy with my faux patchwork quilt!