My niece is redoing her house. She asked if I would make a California King quilt for her to use as a bed cover. It will need to come down deep enough to cover the sides of the bed. She isn't into floral or girly looking designs. It will be in multiple shades of blue from navy to a light blue with tans and cream. I was thinking about a French braid. I would appreciate some other suggestions. It is going to be a rather large quilt, to say the least!!! I haven't made one for any member on this side of the family yet.

Sounds like she wants a quilted bedspread, not just a quilt. I am assuming you will have a longarmer quilt it for you. You may want to check with a LAer to see if the machine she uses is wide enough. Not all machines are the same width.

In case you didn't see this - It is not exactly the colors you are considering but it was posted this morning.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-145357-1.htm

You've got the colours nailed .... as for design, what does your niece want? There would be nothing more disappointing than for you to go to all that work, and discover the design chosen is not at all to her liking, even though the colours are bang on!

Let her tell you what she wants!! :)

There is a pattern called Just Can't Cut it, which uses 6 fabrics in 12" blocks. Very fast and easy, and it comes with instructions for 105"x105" and larger if needed. It's a pattern you can find online or at your local quilt shop.

I just made one the 105" size, and I cut it out and put it together in 10 hours!! I jsut have to quilt it now.

I would definitely have her pick out 2 or 3 designs for you to choose from. It sounds as if you want her to be perfectly delighted with the choice, not surprised. Why take a chance you can pick out what she will like? What could possible be worse than to do all the work and then for her to not use it?

Eleanor Burns Log Cabin in a Day.

I did a king with blues and browns on one side and creams on the other with a red center square.

I did a king size quilt, log cabin barn raising pattern with the cheveron in the middle. Blues and whites. If I did it again I would do larger blocks with larger logs. I did 9" blocks and it took me forever.

I vote for a bargello. It's really easy, but time consuming. The exciting parts are choosing the fabrics and the layout. You can play with the pattern (like a log cabin) to make something really interesting and unique. Go for it!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have just finished a Cal King for myself. I made it with 4 panels of french braid in colors from pale greens to dark purples, with very wide sashings and borders. After I quilt it, it will cover all sides of bed. It was formerly a waterbed on a double pedestal, but we just had a custom 18 inch mattress made for it. Can't wait to finish it.

Can you post a picture? I would love to see it. Thanks

I really love the bargello, I haven't made it but plan to. Another quilt that's quite easy is called "Miller's crossing" I've only ever seen the pattern in an old Quiltmaker magazine, but have made one. It's basically 9 patches on point alternating with pinwheels.

I'm sure she'll love whatever you giver her though!

I saw this. I have done one French Braid before. I just have to find fabrics. She is sending color chips, but no florals is her only request! Thanks.

That sounds interesting! I will check it out. Thanks.

I would like to see it also! Thanks.

Would she agree to either a skirt under the quilt or a layer of material that would cover the sides of the bed and hide the mattresses? That way your quilt wouldn't have to be so large.

Just saying.

ali