Churn Dash Finish and Blogger's Quilt Festival

I finished up the Churn & Dash baby quilt for my cousin's new baby.  He is supposed to enter this world next weekend, so I wanted to finish this project up before his birth!  And, as luck would have it, Amy, from Amy's Creative Side, is hosting her Fall edition of the Blogger's Quilt Festival.  I am going to enter this quilt under the Baby Quilt category.  This will be my first ever entry into anything quilt related.

Henderson's Churn & Dash Quilt

The story of this quilt:  My cousin, Ken and his wife, Jennifer, are expecting their first child in early November.  This will be the 4th great grandchild (my sister has the first 3, and the youngest of those is 6), so we are all super excited about having another baby around.  Ken,(the soon-to-be father), was definitely one of my grandfather's faves (tho my grandfather would say he had no favorites). My grandfather would be so excited and proud to know that the Swift name will be carried on.  My grandfather passed last summer, at the age of 99.  He was a farmer and raised horses, so the farm theme of Madrona Road is perfect for my family's history and heritage.

I have been hoarding my collection of Madrona Road for a while now, just waiting on the perfect project.  The quilt design is one that I have had sketched out for a while, and I thought the Madrona Road fabric was just perfect for this project; but I needed a reason to start a new quilt (you know, 'cause I've got a TON of wips!).  When I found out that Jennifer was preggers, I had my excuse!

I am over the moon about how this finished up!  I think I'm going to make one for me in the pink colorway of Madrona Road.  The churn dashes vary in size from 3" to 12".  I ended up doing dogwood/orange peel free motion quilting.  I am still learning FMQ, so it's not perfect, but I am so pleased with the outcome.

Another front shot

Pieced Back with leftover blocks

Front details!  Love the Donkey!

Back details:  leftover 6" blocks and fabric
remnant for signature

Quilt Stats:

Size:  48" x 56"
Blocks:  Churn Dash, 3", 6", 9" and 12"
Layout and Design:  By me
Fabric:  Madrona Road, blue colorway
Quilted:  Free Motion Dogwoods, by moi

Pretty stacked

So, if you'd like, head on over to Amy's blog and vote for your favorite quilt.  There are lots of categories!  I love this online festival; there is so much good work!  I hope you get inspired to create!

Cheers-
Nicole