This quilt top was very large for me - 96”x108” before quilting and washing. I did not measure it after washing, but they always shrink for me, so it is slightly smaller than that. I’m fine with that.

This may be my “big deal” quilt of 2025. I actually do feel connected to this one because of the amount of time I spent making those little squares. The blocks were trimmed to 6.5” square before putting them into the quilt with sashing strips and cornerstones.

I had taken these blocks to the states so that I could find the sashing I needed/wanted to go with all these very busy, loud, happy blocks! I had wanted a fabric that had quite a bit of white in it yet colorful enough to look quietly happy. However, I did not want a dark green as I didn’t want the sashing to be what you actually look at first. I actually wanted a blue - sort of a denim blue with some white in it - and I had nothing like that here.

Obviously I ended up choosing green and not blue.

I knew I wanted to finish this before my daughter’s wedding in January, 2026!!! Yes, my second daughter who finished her PhD last year at Clemson is getting married Jan. 3. It was kind of my goal to finish up a lot of my quilts here in December, but I kept putting it off while doing still more charity piecing.

I guess I cut it kind of close.

I was a bit afraid I’d ruin this quilt with my quilting. I mean, seriously - this quilt has so many hours in it, that would be the last thing I’d like!

Then I got ahold of myself and said, “BECKY, this top has so much going on that you really won’t be able to see the quilting!” That actually settled myself down and helped me get psyched up to get this quilting done!

So, I did it. And I’m right. I can barely even see the quilting. What was I so worried about? The whole quilt is about those amazing granny square blocks!

I was inspired by Lori Holt’s quilt on the bed in her guest room in the tour I watched on line.

I did not use all Lori Holt fabrics, however, I did try to keep with the general vibe, and colors. I really wanted to get a blue with some white in it for that sashing (I have mentioned that multiple times, because it shows how much I wanted that color) - but I didn’t have any. After scouring the store in Florida, I ended up getting green. In the end I’m delighted with this quilt!

One of my first BIG quilts - made in 2013 - a Miss Rosie pattern

While I’ve made multiple granny square quilts, this was the first to go down in size to the 1.5” squares. I like all the quilts I’ve made with 1.5” squares - AND I really do love the general idea of a granny square. It is a great way to make scraps look coordinated!

Sometimes I get frustrated with myself because I have so many 2.5” squares and strips and don’t make as many of those quilts as I want to, but then when I do one of these with 1.5” strips and squares, I am so taken by it, that I am in love with it.

And no, this will not become a charity quilt. If I do ever choose to give it away, it would no doubt be only a family member who could get it from my clenched fists!

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Anyway, while inspired by Lori’s quilt on the tour of her house, I do not own her Granny Squares book, though I’m sure it would give me even more great ideas.

All of Lori’s pattern books are well worth the money - because they have so many wonderful patterns in them!

People are usually charging between $10—$20 now for a single PDF pattern.

I’ve also made several granny square quilts - starting with one of my first big ones that I gave to some missionary friends of ours who were in Turkey at the time which was shown above. This was one from a Miss Rosie pattern but she had it in the pattern as a baby size. I made it a king size. I did give the quilt away and would love to make another one since I loved it so much. I have long misplaced the pattern, but I know how to make it now - as I’ve done it once plus I went ahead and drew it up for myself in EQ. I drew it up in blues and greens. Am thinking about it.