Flashback Friday - Mary Mary...

For a while now, I have been wanting to share some of my older designs with you. You see, there are so many of my designs that are close to my heart that may have been overlooked due to the fabrics used or maybe you are new to my blog and don't know all of my designs. So each Friday I am going to revisit an older design, or something that I would like to show you from my early designing.

First up is Mary Mary. Back in the year 2000, early in my designing, I wanted to design a quilt pattern that was quick and easy to make, didn't take a lot of different fabrics, making fabric choice easier, and one that would be versatile. I was thrilled to put together my original version of Mary Mary. I quickly made about 3 different versions and many of my students at the time made this quilt as well. It was a firm favourite. Here is my current pattern photo for Mary Mary, showing it made in a range called 'Bed of Roses' and also included is a mini version called Mini Mary.

Over the years, sales of this pattern dwindled and to be honest I was really sad. I just LOVE it so much and wasn't prepared to say goodbye to it just yet. Fast forward to 2012 when I decided a remake was in order. I didn't want to just totally replicate my original Mary Mary, so decided to make a few changes and bring it into the 21st century.

I started with fabric selection, choosing a mix of more modern fabrics that I LOVE and that make me happy.

I then got busy cutting them to size and making other components of my blocks. I was already having SO much fun.

It was then time to put my quilt top together. I did as much stitching as I could in between other projects and shared a few little sneak peeks on Instagram along the way too.

My new version of Mary Mary was coming together beautifully, and I was thrilled.

I completed the quilt top last year and then things came to a halt. Other deadlines screamed louder and I wasn't about to take the time to quilt my Mary Mary. I was sad but knew I would finish it as soon as humanly possible.

Then late last year a new student joined my classes and would you believe, she was a long arm quilter. I was beyond excited. Her work was exquisite and I decided to ask her if she would quilt my Mary Mary for me. She said yes and fast forward to this Wednesday when she came to class with my revamped Mary Mary in her arms.

I was beyond excited to see it. You see, Adri had sent me a sketched out plan of the quilting she thought would best suit my quilt. Having never had a quilter do this before, I was excited and a tiny bit nervous to see it too - when she opened it up, I was thrilled. The quilting looked AMAZING. Here are some close up shots of the amazing quilting. Thank you Adri for doing such a brilliant job for me.

The back of my quilt is equally as beautiful as the front. The quilting looks so stunning and I couldn't be happier.

I could barely wait for the afternoon to work on the binding. I chose a black and white stripe because I love it and because I felt it would frame my Mary Mary quilt perfectly. I got to work as quickly as I could and cut, then pieced my binding.

Next it was time to machine stitch my binding to my quilt.

Family duties came next, so I had to wait until the next day to head back to the studio to hand stitch my binding in place. So on Thursday, armed with some Gilmore Girls DVD's, I set about finishing my binding.

A few (maybe 3 or 4) episodes later and my binding was complete. I was BEYOND excited, you see, I really really love this quilt and to have it made again with so many of my favourite fabrics (83 to be exact) and to have such gorgeous quilting makes my heart happy.

It was late in the day when I was able to take some photos of my finished Mary Mary, so the colours aren't exactly true to life but I was just bursting to show you, so here it is. Reintroducing....Mary Mary...

Here it is on my parents Queen sized bed, to give you an idea of sizing. It is 60 inches square, so would top a double or queen bed, be a perfect lap or picnic rug. I will just warn you, you won't want to stop at one. This quit is SO easy and fun to make. It is perfect for beginners and the experienced quilter alike.

I am planning on having doing a little photo shoot this weekend of this quilt to use as the pattern photo and all being well the pattern will be ready for my lovely stores to order early next week. Yay, I can't wait. I hope Mary Mary will make other's hearts happy making this quilt too.

I will be back next week once the pattern is ready to go, to show you the cover and giveaway some Mary Mary patterns too. Sew much fun! See you then...

Quilted by Adri van der of Patch Passion. You can visit Adri on her blog HERE.