Tuesday, August 12, 2008

bento box


After seeing so many fabulous bento box quilts, I knew I had to make one. This one really did me in. I love what this pattern does with plain solids. All the fabric was from my stash.

I was going to try to branch out with the quilting this time, but in the end I chickened out and fell back on my old stand by. After quilting the vintage sheets quilt so loosely, and being less than thrilled with the results, I took my time and stippled it very small. Each of the center squares is 2" finished, so you can get a feel for how small the stippling really is. I think the quilting alone took me 3 days. It sure makes the quilt nice and bunchy after washing.

The backing is something I picked up at Mill End awhile back, and I love it!!! It's one of the main reasons that I am keeping this quilt for myself.

And yet again, I used a pieced binding because the remaining green fabric I had wasn't quite enough. There are 2 tones of green used for the binding. I made sure to limit the colors because I didn't want it to get too busy and detract from the pattern. I love how my fabric diet really pushed me to be creative and use what I have.

The quilt measures 48" x 72".

63 comments:

MelissaS said...

I've done a few bento box quilts. I love that pattern. It always comes together so beautifully whether it's solids, batiks, or prints. In fact, I might be feeling another one coming on now!

Anonymous said...

WOW! It's so beautiful! I love your choices of color - really such a lovely balance of tones. And the quilting... I can only imagine how long it took to do it so densely, but the pay off is amazing!

Gretchen said...

Love it! Thanks for sharing!

I'm looking to make one of these as well - and knowing the centers are 2" was just the info I needed! Hee hee!

Nanette Merrill said...

It is super cute. I love it. I want one.

Sweet P said...

I love your Bento Box quilt! The colors are gorgeous! Your new fabric purchases are beautiful! Enjoy them!

Anonymous said...

I love your blog; I look at it every day!!
That's why you have won an award for me!
Check out my quilting blog for the details!

Kate

http://katesquiltsnmore.blogspot.com/

A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

Love the clolours you have used in this one!Your small quilting looks awesome.

IamSusie said...

I keep seeing these all over blogland. Yours is really terrific and I am inspired to try it myself soon. I love the soft calming colors you used.

Anonymous said...

lovely!!!

i haven't tried the bento yet, but have been dying to!

love the color choices! the pattern really stands out!

nettie said...

I love this! I need to get me a pattern for this one, I really love it.

QuiltNut Creations said...

love bento boxes as well and yours is just stunning! another fabulous job

Koningskind said...

I like this pattern so much and your colorscheme on this quilt is really good!

Katie Jean said...

it's gorgeous! I love it!

Regi said...

Oh its just gorgeous. I love the colors you used and the quilting as well.

Linda said...

I really love this quilt. I love the simplicity of the solids, yet the pattern gives it visual texture.

Cheryl Arkison said...

It looks great, but I have to tease you for sticking with habit... I'll get you to change your stipple yet.

sarah, rsm said...

I love it! No wonder you're keeping it! :o]

Candace said...

I love Bento Boxes, and yours is beautiful. I have the pattern, and its on my list.

lera said...

Another lovely quilt, Amandajean. You are one talented lady.

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

Wow that is just fantastic..just love it...I did try and do one of these but my fabric was far too busy...

audreypawdrey said...

This turned out so beautiful! I have a bento box on my list, due to this quilt I think it has moved closer to the top!

jodie said...

very nice, I would keep it for me too!
Jodie

Amy Jo said...

It turned out beautifully!! I love the colors! And in case I didn't comment on your fabric ( I can't remember) I LOVE it all. Especially those stripes and numbers - I adore them!!

Kristie said...

Such a beautiful quilt! I do agree I just love the small stippling it really makes in nice after washing!!!
Kristie

a friend to knit with said...

ahhhhhhhhh! love this. and the colors. fabulous!

Rebekah said...

this is absolutely gorgeous! What a wonderful way to show of solid colors!

Sue said...

I absolutely love this! I want to make one of these and I think you are right using solids, they look great. I also love the pieced binding. This quilt is a work of art!!!

sulu-design said...

The color combinations and the use of solids on this one are just perfect. Good for you for keeping it for yourself!

Roxanne said...

I LOVE this pattern! You're definitely right, solids look amazing, simple and understated, but amazing at the same time! nice work!! I can only imagine that 3 days of quilting for you is like 3 years of quilting for me! ;)

Tine said...

This is such a great pattern! And yours is beautiful! I love these quilts made from solids :-) I didn't buy it before I went on my book-and-pattern-diet, so I guess I'll have to wait until after Christmas :-(

Anonymous said...

This is so soothing to look at - colors & all.

The Calico Cat said...

Now I really want to work on mine (A direct flickr lift - but I asked if i could be a copy cat... DS Katie Jump Rope blues & greens with Kona Snow)

Must finish other stuff, Must finish other stuff, must finish other stuff...

Anonymous said...

Oh I love this quilt!

Eileen said...

Hi Amanda Jean, this would qualify as a finish for your Summer Stash Challenge..no?

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful quilt!

Sandy said...

That one did me in too. And yours is beautiful also. Not much room on my to do list for a quilt right now, but I keep finding inspiration here on your blog.

Leslie said...

that is really beautiful. I love how a quilt looks after a good washing

Sarah said...

I just bought the bento box pattern and can't wait to use it. I love how yours came out! The solids are so pretty, I love the unexpected purples and blues. Great!!

Heidijayhawk said...

its perfect! love the small stippling. kinda one of your trademarks if you ask me!

Anonymous said...

Love it! Love it! Love it! The colors...the pattern...the quilting....just stunning!

Jane said...

Amanda,
This is so beautiful! Your colors are perfect. Your quilting is perfect. I am just in plain awe.
Where can I get a pattern for a Bento Box quilt? I'm so inspired.
~jane

Amanda Jean said...

jane,

I didn't buy a pattern...just figured out the measurements that I wanted to use based on the center square. if you google "bento box quilt pattern" a ton of sites will come up where you can order it. or else check your local quilt shop.

aj

Jackie Russell said...

I love this pattern too!

Anina said...

Oh my gosh! It's lovely! One of these is on my to-do list too.

Unknown said...

It looks great! Sometimes the standby is best that way your comfortable :) Enjoy it - I'm glad your keeping it!

Dawn N. said...

So pretty! I love the colors!

Diane said...

This is my favorite Bento Box so far. I love it done in solids and you selected a wonderful grouping of colors. Well done!

Thimbleanna said...

Wow! It's Beautiful. And the back -- LOVE it too!

Anonymous said...

you must be wonderful to have so many generous friends!!!!
i love your quilts! they inspire me.
my fav. colors right now are those blues/greens in that quilt you just made. such a cool quilt.
i'm going back on my fab. diet after i buy the rest of a fabric line i'm getting for a new quilt!! (and my REAL diet after i figure out how to make almond croissants that don't look like my dog got to them first!)
congrats on potty training success!!
have a great week!! and fun with that new fabric!!!!

JenR said...

It's gorgeous! I love it! I love purples and greens together.

zizzybob said...

Love the colors (and workmanship) in the Bento box.

Christine said...

It is beautiful!

Anonymous said...

I just bought this pattern and your quilt is
just gorgeous. If you wouldn't mind telling me what line of fabric you used in it?

Thanks, Marilyn

Ulla said...

This is a lovely quilt with great use of colours! The pattern is new to me but definitely something I want to try someday, clear and simple.
This would also qualify for the Summer Stash Challenge as another quilt of yours.

Oiyi said...

Fabulous Bento Box quilt! I love the quilting on it.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful quilt. Thanks for sharing.

Dionne said...

I love this pattern, and I love that you can make such a large quilt, all from your stash, without that 'scrappy' look!

Beautiful.

Joanna said...

I love the pattern and the colors you chose. It turned out so beautiful! I love the tight quilting, too. I too am more of a fan of tight quilting over the looser quilting. Good job!

Mercedes said...

Beautiful, nice colors chose!!
OH, now you are in my faves in my needlework blog, come and see.!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful quilt!

I think I'm going to have to make one now. :-D

Anonymous said...

i've been contemlating a bento box quilt for a while now... i think erhaps this has just done it for me!! it's beautiful.. good job!! Lx

Carla said...

This is just lovely! I want to make a baby bento. Limes and browns.

Marcia in AZ said...

Marcia in AZ: Just finishing the 2nd Bento Box top for my granddaughter. Idiot that I am I must not have read the instructions well enough to put the little squares together. Duh!!!- On the first one I just took the backing and wrapped in around to the front to sort of form a border. Will that be a problem? I hope not.