South Platte Quilt Inspiration
The South Platte Quilt. Picture by Megan Saenz
Last summer was not the summer I had planned to have and I’m sure it wasn’t the summer you expected to have either. I always look forward to traveling and seeing new places with my family. About six years ago my parents moved from Upstate New York to the mountains in Bailey, Colorado. I’ve had the pleasure of getting to visit them a few times and even take my son on a special mother, son trip there together. My daughter on the other hand has never been, and last summer we were planning to visit.
A photo from my adventure with my son to Colorado. He was excited about the train, but even more excited about the playground near by.
Reflecting on my past memories and thinking about the adventures I had taken with my son and parents through the Rocky Mountains of Colorado I started designing the South Platte Quilt. I was inspired by the art and colors of Colorado. I may not know when I’m going to get to travel there next, but I’m able to go on a quilting journey there.
The South Platte Quilt taken in the Potomac River in Harpers Ferry, WV. Picture by Megan Saenz
The name South Platte Quilt came from the South Platte River, which is one of the major rivers that runs through Colorado and much of the south west. The river serves as the principal source of water for eastern Colorado. It’s a beautiful river offering kayaking, fly fishing and life to Colorado. It’s also home of Plains Indians, such as the Cheyenne and the Arapaho, who hunted in the lands around the South Platte River. These tribes have greatly influenced the art and culture of the communities along the South Platte River.
I wish I could have traveled to Colorado to take my pictures, but that was a bit too far for me right now. So I jumped into my car and traveled a state over to Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia. Harper’s Ferry is a beautiful and inspiring place to take quilt photographs and happens to have the Potomac River running through it. Fun fact, the Potomac River is the 4th largest river on the East Coast. Sorry for all the geology lessons today, but sometimes quilt inspiration comes from the nature around us and it’s nice to get to know and understand it better.
The lesson today is that inspitation can be found all around us, all we have to do is look!
Pattern designer, Erin Grogan, of Love Sew Modern with her South Platte Quilts. Picture by Megan Saenz
The South Platte Quilt pattern comes in two sizes, Baby (35” X 49”) and Throw (60” X 74”). The pattern is full with illustrations to make quilt assembly easy. Two coloring sheets are included, one for each size, to make planning your quilt fun. You can make a South Platte Quilt just like the cover quilt by getting a kit from Pear Tree Design Co in the USA or Piece Fabric Co in CAN. It’s made using all Art Gallery Pure Solids, which are a joy to sew with.
My throw sized South Platte quilt was quilted by Wander Stitch Company. Picture by Megan Saenz
