This pattern is called Countryside Wreath, it's a Thimbleberries pattern. I first made this quilt in 1999 and gave it for my mom for Christmas that year and I loved it so much I almost kept it for myself. (Pictured at left is my mom's quilt...notice anything wrong with it?!?!)
My mom loves her little quilt and keeps it out year round, folded over the back of her bench by her door. When I go and visit my parents I see the little quilt and it always makes me smile and then I always tell myself that the minute I get home I'm going to sew one for me! Which I never did - until now!
Mom's little quilt, which measures 40-inches x 40-inches is one of the quilts featured in the December banner over at Sew We Quilt! Such a fun honor for this little quilt! When Samm asked for pictures of Christmas quilts to be submitted for the December banner, I sent her several pictures - I seem to have a lot of Christmas quilts - most of them without mistakes! And when she emailed to say my little quilt had been chosen for the banner I was thrilled!! I would have told Samm about the mistake, which surely would have eliminated my quilt, but I had not yet noticed it!
About 6 months ago I decided this would be the year to make myself one of these little beauties...but I couldn't remember the name of the pattern. I searched through my patterns and even looked on-line for "Christmas Wreath Quilt" but found nothing...so I did the next best thing...I drew it!
After taking a picture of mom's quilt, I printed it out and drew a grid on the picture...still not noticing there was something wrong!! I guesstimated the size of the squares and from there it was easy as every block is made up with squares and half-square triangles. (Only after I had drawn up the pattern did I remember that my friend had made the quilt, too. I emailed her and asked her if she could remember the name of the pattern and she didn't even have to look it up - she remembered it right on the spot! If only I'd ordered the pattern and waited for it to arrive....of course, a pattern is no guarantee that I can sew it up right - I used a pattern the first time!)
Now do you see it?? I didn't notice the mistake - the HUGE GLARING MISTAKE until I had completely finished quilting it...and not only did I sew the squares together wrong (on the right side of the wreath!) but I sewed them wrong on my mom's quilt 11 years ago!!! And never noticed until now!!! So while this was going to be a gift it will now be part of my ever growing personal collection of mistake quilts because I certainly can't give this to anyone now! And after all these years I've finally figured out why my mom keeps the same half of the quilt folded over her bench!!!
Here's the 2nd quilt in as many days...this one was sewn right - whew! Which only goes to show you this IS a fast and easy quilt to put together...when it's done right! And now that I have the right pattern imprinted in my brain, I just might sew up a few more!
