An Outdoorsy Quilt

Thursday, February 2, 2023

A family friend was diagnosed with cancer a few months ago. He is doing his chemo treatments at home (I didn't even know that was a thing now!). He is showing incredible strength during the treatments, and only complains of one thing - he's always cold. Of course I immediately knew I *HAD* to make him a quilt!!

Simple bricks throw quilt for a cancer quilt

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If you're new here, hello! I'm Laura! I design quilt patterns, and I'm a self-proclaimed deal hunter! Be sure to join the popular Quilting & Sewing Deals Facebook group where I post sales, deals, and coupon codes from all around the web!


I hunted for some "manly" fabrics, and landed on this Moda bundle called "Outdoorsy." (As of the writing of this blog post, Green Fairy Quilts still has the bundle HERE!)

Outdoorsy fat quarter bundle by Moda

There are a few plaids, and the main colors are browns/creams with blue and red.

Outdoorsy fat quarter bundle from Moda

I cut all the fat quarters into 5" x 9" rectangles. Then I just laid them out on my design wall (aka flannel-backed vinyl tablecloth). I tried to space out the fabrics so the same one wasn't too close to itself, but after awhile just went with what was up there! Note that the rectangles are hanging vertically, but that's just because I could get more on my design wall this way. I planned to sew them into rows like bricks.

Laying out fabric bricks for a simple quilt

I pieced each row with Aurifil 50wt thread in #2370 Sandstone, then sewed the rows together. I just cut off the bricks that extended past the edge of the quilt. Easy peasy!

Loading minky on a longarm

Once the top was done, I loaded my longarm with dot minky in the color "Moon Rock." I knew from the very beginning that I wanted to use minky on the back of the quilt. It's warm and snuggly - just what our friend needed! I'm using SewTites Magnum magnets on my longarm now. They really hold the fabric well and are super fast for loading!

Meander quilting on a longarm

Yes, I did also use batting! I used the Stitch-N-Time 80/20 batting from Batting Super Sale because I keep a roll of it on hand! Batting and minky together give such a great weight and cuddle feel to a quilt!

Quilting on a longarm machine

I quilted an all-over meander design on the quilt, then had enough minky left to quilt another quilt too! (This one!)

Quilt label sewn into the quilt binding

I used the leftover fat quarter scraps to make the binding, and sewed one of my quilt labels into the binding too. (Machine sewn binding tutorial HERE.)

Minky-backed cancer throw quilt

The brick design was super fast to sew together and let me use all the fabrics in the fat quarter bundle without having to add any background fabric.

Quick and easy bricks throw quilt

I even made sure it was long enough that it would cover our friend's toes when he stretched out.

Simple cancer quilt

I prayed over the quilt before delivering it, and took it to him just as soon as I finished it.

Bricks throw quilt

The same night I gave the quilt to him, his wife texted me this picture. And since then, I've gotten several other pictures of him napping with it! I think he likes it!

Cancer quilt for a man

I'm not sure where our friend's journey with cancer will lead, but I know he will be a bit warmer while he fights!


Now it's your turn! Do you have any quilty finishes to share? Link up a Facebook post, Instagram post, or blog post so we can visit and cheer for your finishes too!


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9 comments:

  1. I have two close friends currently in a fight against breast cancer and pray for them often. I'll add your friend to the list as well. Great quilt... blessed from above and made with love. <3

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  2. Outdoorsy--love it!!! Perfect pairing of fabrics, design, minkee and prayer, Laura!!!

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  3. Best wishes to your friend with his fight.

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  4. Prefect quilt for a man, you can tell he loves it!

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  5. So nice to see how much he loves the quilt, wishing him all the best in this journey.

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  6. HI Laura, that's a great quilt and I'm sure that your friend really appreciates it. Thanks for hosting TGIFF! Take care.

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  7. I love all the thought you put into the quilt for your friend, especially making it extra long to cover his toes and soft to cuddle under.

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  8. I love your quilt! As a two time cancer patient, I can tell you this is the most perfect gift! Minkie has a calming, silky feel, which makes it the perfect backing for a huggable quilt! Perfect bundle fabric too!

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  9. I’m not familiar with fabric called minky. Who is it made by & where is it available?
    Your quilt made with loving kindness is such a blessing to your friend & his family!

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