01 January 2012

A Quick Calendar Quilt

As I have been thinking about my Imperfect theme for 2012, I remembered one very serious plan I had for 2011. My goal was to create a calendar quilt that charted my progress with my very serious goals. I thought hard about how to track days when I was serious about art versus days when I was not. I wanted the calendar to have a different form from the traditional calendar layout. I spent many days drafting different possibilities in my art journal.

But because I was so serious about this calendar, I never actually made a final decision as to what it would look like or what meaning it would convey. After all my very serious thinking, I never actually started the quilt.

I still like the idea of making a quilt over the course of a year; I just no longer worry that it is serious or perfect. So this morning, before I headed to my studio, I made a few quick decisions. First, I would use a traditional calendar layout. Second, I decided that each day's piece would finish at 2.5" x 3.5", which would yield a 17.5" finished block for each month. (The blocks then sashed with 2.5" sashing would finish at 64.5" x 84.5", which is a nice cozy throw size.) Third, I would use a utilitarian fabric like muslin or osnaburg for the empty blocks for each month. Fourth, I would just choose a yummy fabric for each day, regardless of whether I was imperfect about art or not. Fifth, I would break up the heaviness of the prints with a simple white fabric.

Here's a really rough sketch in Electric Quilt of what I envision.  January is the top-left block. The calendar runs in four rows, with December being the bottom-right block.


You are welcome to join me if you like! It's sinple!

1) For each day, choose a fabric and cut a 3" x 4" rectangle from it.
2) Sew each day into a calendar format of seven days a week and five weeks a month.
3) Use a plain fabric for the empty days on the calendar format. (Shown by the grayish blocks on each month.)
4) Sash the block with the same fabric. Cut the sashing strips 3" so they finish at 2.5"
5) After 366 days (it is a leap year!), enjoy the easiest quilt you have ever made!

6 comments:

Jsoosay said...

This sounds like fun! I want to join in!

Kimberly Davis said...

You are completely welcome to join in Jsoosay! And feel free to share the idea with anyone you like (just add a link back to this post). I have two pieces together now and am really looking forward to see how it develops!

Jsoosay said...

I have my first two pieces cut out but not sewn together yet. My machine is getting some TLC and a tune up. I also bought my background fabric today so I am excited to see it come together too. Thank you for sharing this idea. I'm telling all of my quilting friends about it and I have shared it on my blog.

Kimberly Davis said...

Thanks Jsoosay! I've heard from some people in real life who are joining in too. Three pieces together now...

Scarlett Burroughs said...

What a fun challenge Kimberly! I'm so glad you put it out in blogland for all to enjoy. I've featured this post on Craft Gossip here:
http://quilting.craftgossip.com/?p=14336

If you would like a "featured by" button, you can grab one here:
http://craftgossip.com/link-to-us/

Warmly,
Scarlett Burroughs
Quilting Editor, Craft Gossip

Anonymous said...

I'm finally catching up on what has been going on in your life.........