A Nautical Gift
Posted on August 6, 2021 by prairiemoonquilts in Longarm Quilting, QuiltsMy Uncle Larry is a boat captain. He became a boat captain after retiring, and for a time, he even lived on his boat, the Hyde-Aweigh.
Uncle Larry is the last surviving member of my mother’s family. He’s the baby, and he just celebrated his 80th birthday last week!
Since he no longer lives on his boat, he lives in an apartment in town, and has it decorated like his boat. I’ve been wanting to make him a quilt for a long time, and this seemed like the perfect occasion, so I did!
I used the nautical alphabet flags to spell out his last name on the front of the quilt. I drafted my own patterns so that I could have 12″ blocks, and thankfully, I only had to do four of them!
I set these blocks into two different light blue solids, to look like water. And I quilted it with “waves”.
I was looking for a minky to use on the back, when I stumbled upon this National Parks posters fabric from Riley Blake, so I had to go with that because . . . Uncle Larry has visited nearly all the national parks. His goal was to have visited every single national park in his lifetime, and last time I asked him, he only had two left to go, so I hope he gets to see those. So this fabric was perfect for him, making the quilt reversible!
I bound it with one of the blue solids. (I at first made yellow binding for the quilt, then didn’t like it — it was a “what was I thinking?” moment, so I ditched it and made blue binding — much better.) And made him a special label.
I washed it so it would be all snuggly and ready to use. He lives in North Carolina, so I shipped it off to him, and I think it’ll get cold enough for him to be able to use it. And I hope he does use it!
Here are the quilt details:
Nautical Flag Quilt:
Finished size: 60″ x 80″
Pattern: My own design, using nautical alphabet flag designs for the “letters”.
Fabrics for top and binding: Solids from various manufacturers (from my stash)
Batting: Quilter’s Dream Cotton Select Natural
Backing: Riley Blake‘s National Park poster fabric (I found it at Missouri Star Quilt Company online)
Quilting design: Freehand wavy lines (to hopefully look like water)
Thread (for quilting): Superior OMNI, color #3089, Light Turquoise
If you are interested in drafting your own patterns for the nautical alphabet, just do an internet search for “nautical alphabet flags”. The letters are all very basic, and only use a few colors, so it’s easy to make the letters you need in whatever size you need them.
Lovely, Shelly!!
I know he will love it. What a great idea.
Beautiful!! How creative!
OMG Shelly – there couldn’t be a more perfect gift for someone special. Such a treasure that I’m sure he’ll cherish and think of you every time he looks at it. You are a treasure yourself.
What a cool quilt! Very special for your uncle. I have that National park panel…waiting for inspiration or a camper😊
What a fun quilt.
I love it. Such a clever idea, and I know he will love it, too.
That’s so cool! Love it!
This is awesome, and for someone who has been quilting a while, fairly easy to draft those blocks. Love it!!
Your quilt is lovely, such a good idea. I expect my hubby would like a similar quilt for himself. We lived on a 50 foot trawler style boat in the making just after we were married. It was a hollow hull and we worked at finishing the interior and the exterior of it. We lived on board for seven years and then bought and moved into a house when our son was six years old. That was almost 50 years ago. It all brings back many good memories. I am sure your uncle will treasure your quilt as it will stir up many good memories for him.
Well done Shelly!!!
The first word I thought of was genius! It is a marvelous quilt for a very special person. I love your label, too.
Great quilt. I’m sure he will love it.
What a wonderful gift for your uncle! You designed and made the perfect quilt for him. I am sure he will love that quilt and that he will use it often and think of you. Thanks for sharing the story and the quilt with us.
Could not be more thoughtful or more special. Love it!!’
What a wonderful way to show your love for your uncle. It is truly an awesome quilt. I’m sure he will love and treasure it. You are the best niece!
What a thoughtful, loving and generous gift, Shelly. He’ll love it I’m sure. Blessings,
Outstanding, Shelly!
Like you, I hope Uncle Larry will use the quilt. It’s a most thoughtful gift. I made a Quilt of Valor for my uncle when he was about the same age. His sister returned it to me after he died, saying he told her slept under it for a short while, but it was just “too good” to keep using. I come from a long line of folks who didn’t consider themselves quite good enough to have nice things.
Impressive. I like that national park fabric.
So cool! I always have more fun on the quilts that are made with specific people in mind.
Fantastic idea and quilt!
Wonderful quilt!
I hope he feels the love you stitched into it and uses it! Beautiful job. Thanks for sharing.
What a sweet, thoughtful quilt Shelly. I so hope your beloved uncle uses it for many more years and thinkers of his niece who loves him so.
I like it. The National Parks material is what I have for the back of my memory quilt. I will have to add to it as it is going to be a queen size quilt.
Very cool quilt! I bet he will love it – simply because you made it for him. What a gift!
A shame he doesn’t live closer so you could have delivered it yourself and enjoyed his reaction. He will cherish it the rest of his life since you made it especially for him and things obviously he loved. You are a very thoughtful and caring person, Shelley.
I’m just seeing this post. I didn’t know this about Larry.
His name popped up not long ago on FB.
The quilt is beautiful & very appropriate for him. A treasure for sure & yes I hope he uses it. ❤️