Catching up on quilts

Now that the book is done, I’m catching up on gift-making. I need to make quilts for two babies: Luka, who belongs to my friends Meg and Flo, and whose birth I witnessed all the way back in January, and Hunter, born on my birthday last month to one of my oldest friends. A couple of weeks ago I went to my favorite fabric shop, Purl Patchwork, and bought some fabric. Here’s a combo I think might make a lovely baby quilt, though I’m not sure it feels right for either of them.

new-fabric

I’m also working on a miniature quilt for my friend Matia, who is eleven and obsessed with horses. I’ve never pieced by hand before; I’m learning with the excellent instructions in Japanese Quilt Blocks to Mix and Match.

Here’s what I’ve managed so far:

hexagons

I love how portable hand-piecing is. I can do a little at a time and work on it anywhere — on the train, watching Top Chef, waiting at the car wash. It has all the advantages of knitting, but it’s so much more fun.