Sooner Spirit {Quilt}

" A mile of road will take you a mile; A mile of runway can take you anywhere."

I wish I had the photo of the graduate that this quilt is going to!

  He is a young man headed to the University of Oklahoma, Department of Aviation 

this fall and is also already a REAL pilot. 

(I know that is weird to say, but it just blows my mind that he was flying planes while in high school!)

When he was a little guy, his mom tucked him in with a quilt made by his grandmother.  He would say "airplanes UP!" to her every night.  

She requested I add a bit of that fabric to the back of the quilt headed with him this fall!

 I can't tell you how excited I was to find this fabric for his backing.  

It's called Jetsetter by Tim Holtz.

Unfortunately, I did run into a bit of trouble while piecing the backing.  

When I had originally assessed and purchased the yardage, it appeared quite non-directional at first.

I had intended to have only a single stripe on the back, but when I realized all of the commercial planes appeared to be nose diving, I immediately messaged her to let her know I had to make a change in plans.  I think I said, and I quote, "There is NO way I am giving him any bad ju-ju" 

The last time I did this quilt for my own son, I did a square meandering, but this time I really wanted to do straight line quilting. 

I did a meander around the logo so that the applique would pop, with its blanket stitching, from the background.

I went with the black binding to frame the entire quilt.

I will admit, I struggled to choose the coordinating fabrics.  OU has only two specific colors for their school, Crimson and Cream.  I was so glad the Ash gray and black didn't distract from their colors!

Quilt Stats:

Measures:  71" X 89"

Pattern: Rah Rah Rally by Melissa Corry from the Moda Bakeshop Book, Sweet Celebrations.

Fabric: Kona Black, Ash, Crimson, and Natural

Quilted: Straight lines and meandering on Handiquilter Avante

Today is his graduation and I can't wait to see his reaction to his gift!