Norsk Quilt

In high school, middle sister Jill spent a summer in Norway as an AFS exchange student. A couple of years later, the older daughter from the family she lived with came and lived with our family for a year as an unofficial exchange student. Aud has always kept in touch and still calls my mom for Mother's Day and on other occasions. Aud became a grandmother last year and I finally got around to making a baby quilt. Red, white and blue are not only USA colors, but of course also the colors of the Norwegian flag.

The strips are alternately 3 inches and 1 1/2 inches wide, but I played with the color proportion and placement.

It's quilted in variegated red, white and blue thread, in rows of different designs that run perpendicular to the pieced strips. I just didn't want to be locked into following the seams.

I liked how the thread isn't noticeable from a distance, but the variegation gives a lot of interest close  up.

The back is pretty wild compared to the front, and the fish fabric may seem an odd choice. But the family name is Koi...

Linking up to Finish it up Friday, where there is lots to see and inspire. It's also such a good motivation to get things done, and blogged.