Tuesday, November 10, 2015

NFL Quilt with the Snowball Block


My (step) grandson turned 14 last month and back in August, I asked my son what to get him for his birthday and he said "A football quilt". Music to my ears!!! So in a conversation with my grandson, since he knows I don't like football, I had to figure how to sneak in  asking what his favorite football teams were! But a good grandmother always knows how to work it in there!  He said Oregon Ducks, Dallas Cowboys, Texas Longhorns and New England Patriots.  So I got to work looking for the logo fabric for these teams.I search so many shops and would find one or two of the teams, but was hoping to find all four at the same shop.  I finally  found them all at Hancock Fabrics and bought 1/2 yard of each print.  Took my longer to find the fabric than it did to make the quilt! And I have enough of each fabric to make him something else...like a pillowcase or journal/notebook cover.
                                   
Dallas Cowboys
 



Texas Longhorns






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New England Patriots


Oregon Ducks









I used matching solids to make a "snowball" block and made 5 of each NFL print. The finished block is 12x12. 




 I used a dark green batik (his favorite color) for sashing and for some Americana influence (I am told football is all-time American!) I used a fabric with small American Flags for the cornerstones. I ran out of the green batik for sashing, so I had to just leave one side without the sashing, so that will be the side of the quilt that goes at the pillow end of the bed...and under his neck!  Quilt measures 68"x88".                            

I used a thin batting and a thin fleece for the back. Usually, I don't use a batting if I use fleece for the back, but in this case... my son said he wanted the quilt to be "warm" as the boy's room is on the end of the HVAC ducts so in the winter, his room doesn't get as warm as they would like, so he wants the quilt to be warm as possible, so I used batting this time. I did a meander stitch for the FMQ'ing. I used a medium green in the bobbin and matching threads to the block color on the top. I was very pleased with myself and my machine that the colors didn't show through on either side! Even when using white or black, those colors didn't show through on the back!  I used a solid, dark blue fabric for the binding. I was lost on what to put on the label...being for a 14 year old boy (I don't know them to well these days since mine is now 32!) and didn't want it to mushy, so I just put on the label "For the love of the game! Yea team!" and then my signature and year.

 
So I will be giving it to him next week. I hope he likes it!

 
A "snowball" block is a very quick and easy block to make.  It is a good block to use with large print fabrics. You want the large print to be seen, but need just a little something to make it stand out and not look so cluttered. 
Allison at Cluck Cluck Sew has a great tutorial on how to make snowball blocks...check it out by clicking HERE
 
 Want to read more at Fabric and Memories? CLICK HERE 
....keep on sewing those memories!


47 comments:

  1. Perfect for a teenager who loves football. A great choice.

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  2. I love how you have to get up close before you realize it's a football quilt. It really turned out great.
    I'm so glad you shared your post at the Make it Monday Party! Hope to see you again next week.

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  3. A great finish! I'm sure it will be used, even up through college!

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  4. I love your football quilt! Anyone would be thrilled with it! I'm so glad you shared it with us at Treasure Box Tuesday- pinned! :)

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  5. I love your quilt. I do not quilt and am in awe of those that do - this is perfect for one who loves football. Thank you for sharing at Share It One More Time. Cathy

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  6. awesome quilt! love this and will help me in making one for my son. boys are definitely different and not sure i was ever in touch with mine lol

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  7. Looks like a beauty! Grandson is sure to treasure it.

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  8. Congratulations on a great finished quilt. I think he is going to get a lot of use out of it.

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  9. Great job! I think you nailed this one. I'm sure he will appreciate the efforts you went to to make this a quilt he will treasure for many years.

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    1. Thanks Shelia! I hope he treasures it! I am all about memories! He is my step grand son so I am trying to make a relationship with him to make him feel accepted as part of the family! He is a great kid!

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  10. Perfect choice for a quilt. I know he will love it.

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  11. Oh I bet he is going to love it! Or maybe already has by now. The snowball block is fun. I have never made a quilt entirely of snowballs. I really like how it turned out! Thanks for sharing it with Share Your Cup.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  12. He'll love it. What a great gift! Thanks for linking up to Show Me Saturday. Hope to see you there again this week!

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  13. That's a great way to use sporty fabrics Cheri!

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    1. Thanks Lara... yes it is my first time using such a print! He loves it!

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  14. He will not just like it....he will love it! What a wonderful gift for your grandson!

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  15. It's so much fun to see what everyone is working on! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thanks Ruthie... I know what you mean.. I have to MAKE myself get off the PC and surfing blogs and sites! I enjoy the inspiration of others talents!

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  16. What a wonderful gift that will make! Good job, Nanny!

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  17. What a great way to make your grandson smile...this is a perfect gift! It turned out so beautiful with those snowballs.

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    1. Thanks Carol! IT was my first time using the snowball block so I am pleased it turned out well for that reason too! He loves it!

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  18. A great process story, Cheri. I'll remember your comments on the snowball block and add it to my list of quick tops to make. Turned out fabulous. He'll love it. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thanks Nudge! Snowball is really quick and easy. This was my first attempt at the block and it went fast! hardest part was organizing the blocks so no same team was next to each other!!

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  19. That is a great quilt. I'm sure he'll love it. It's great that you were able to use all four fabrics.

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    1. Thanks Sandy! He does love it. On his bed now! I am not a sports fan at all, so I just went with color!!

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  20. You are such a wonderful grandmother! It's perfect gift. Thanks so much for sharing the quilt and the story :)

    -Soma

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    1. Thanks Soma - I try to include a memory with everything I make. In this case...it is his memory of his love of the sport/teams in his teen years (hopefully he will keep the quilt for MANY years!) and I always put a "To..From" label on the back to include a little complimentery quote so he has that memory of his grandma!

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  21. Oh what a great gift! You did an awesome job with fabric choice and putting this together and than found the perfect backing! Great job all around! Thanks for sharing your wonderful work.

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    1. Thanks Carla! I had just discovered fleece for backing and this was my first use! And NO batting! Works great!

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  22. Hoe fun that you learned about football teams to make something your grandson will love. I;m sure he'll appreciate the teenager look of it and the warmth!!

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    1. Thanks Janine! He has 4 little sisters, so the "boy/man" effect was a very welcome decoration to his room - I mean "man cave"! He loves it!

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  23. Thanks for sharing this quilt, made with so much love.

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  24. I am sure this quilt gift will be a "TOUCHDOWN!" with your grandson! Thanks for sharing with us!
    Susie

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    1. Thanks legato! It was! It is on his bed now that winter has arrived!!!

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  25. This is a great quilt for your football enthusiast! The label sounds perfect too :)
    Wendy

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    1. Thanks Wendy! He likes it..makes his room more "man cave" look....since he has 4 sisters! He likes his own space!

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  26. Such a fun quilt. It is perfect for a teenager.

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    1. Thanks Kim..yes, it is perfect for a teenager. They are sometimes hard to sew for!

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  27. How could he not love it? It is a perfect quilt for a boy who loves sports!

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    1. Thanks Karen! Yes, he does love it! On his bed now that winter has come!

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