I love how the I Spy Quilt turned out, it’s so fun. Can’t wait to share all the details! This post may contain affiliate links.
I Spy Squares Swap
I signed up for a couple of swaps. It was fun to see what squares were shared! If you don’t have a swap to participate in, I’d highly recommend grabbing I Spy Squares from Etsy – you get tons more variety than trying to create your own squares.
I Spy Picnic Blanket
I thought it would be perfect for taking to all those outdoor things – mainly, my son’s flag football games, so the other kids could have a place to sit and be entertained all at once. We’re well into the season, so I almost didn’t make it, but I can still tote it along to the final 2 games.
So a quick rundown – – if you are a real quilter, you might want to avert your eyes……
How to make an I Spy Quilt
I participated in 2 different swaps. I cut a bunch of the same fabric into squares, then mailed them off and the swap host puts everyones fabric into a big pile then divys it out, so I got back a bunch of different fabric squares. Perfect – except for that the 2 swaps I signed up for were different sized squares – whoops.
I’d highly recommend finding I Spy Squares HERE.
I laid out the squares into larger square pods. Each larger square had 2 big squares and 6 small squares inside of it. I sewed those 8 squares together into their pod.
Some I Spy quilts have plain fabric between each square, but I liked the look of them all touching, jumbled together (make it tougher on those kiddos!) You can lay everything out to get a visual idea of your quilt:
Picnic Blanket Backing
Since I wanted an outdoor blanket, I knew I was backing it with denim. For durability, and because I have a huge pile of discarded overalls from my uncle. I pieced those together until it was a piece big enough for the whole back of the quilt.
Quilting an I Spy Quilt
Since I wanted to back it with denim, I didn’t think I could quilt it very well – sounded too thick to swirl around, etc. I was worried about all the layers.
I took each “pod”, or square of squares, put a piece of batting under them, and quilted them individually. There’s a name for this type of quilting, without the back on – but I’m not sure what that is called.
My pile of progress:
Then I took those quilted squares (well, they’re kind of rectangle-ish) and sewed them together – – see the back, you can tell what I’m talking about:
To hold the front to the back, I did some minimal quilting. I layered the quilt top on top of the denim quilt back and sewed up and down a few rows, just straight.
I Spy Quilt Cards
DIY I Spy Quilt
In this picture you can see I sewed in a couple of ties when I put the binding on:
That way when I’m traipsing onto the football field with 3 kids in tow and dragging various chairs, jackets, etc, it’ll be easily transportable – I can hand it to a kid to carry and if they drop it, it won’t come unfolded or anything. All tied up:
And of course, the fun of playing with it – – it’s been a huge hit so far. The younger kids can point out things and name what they see, etc. The older kids can read the cards and hunt around.
I love my I Spy Quilt – – you should make one! Underneath it all, it’s just sewing straight lines – you can do it!
Christy says
I love it! I’ve been thinking of making my first quilt…but have been a little scared. I may try this one since you explained it so well! 🙂
Sandy Meyer says
Ive cut a bunch of 5 in. squares for my Great Nephew’s “I Spy” quilt. I was going to ‘frame’ each square but like your sewing them side-to-side instead. And, I LOVE the idea of the cards in the pocket! Fantastic idea!
The denim backing is really a great idea, too, for wear and just using it outside or on a trip.
Thanks!
The Juries!! says
Hey, Just steal– err “borrow” your mom’s laminator… she has one…
Jenna says
Love your quilt Mandy, it’s fabulous!!! 🙂 Doing an exchange for the fabric squares is such a smart idea! Makes me want to do one… Anyone else???
If you’re interested email me at mommydiaries at hotmail dot com.
Suzanne Flores says
I would like to swap – flores8609 at aol dot com
Mandy Beyeler says
sorry, this was from a few years ago, so I don’t have any more available. You can try buying bundles for i spy quilt squares on etsy. Good luck!
Bree says
Looks great! I especially like your idea to back it in denim & use the ties. I still need to work on my i spy project.
Cranberry Morning says
That is absolutely perfect! I love the pocket with the tags also. Where did you find those swaps? I’ve been wanting to do that ever since I saw one of these last year. What fun for the kids. This is a family heirloom for sure!
Jenny says
Very cute! May make one for a now-toddler who didn’t receive a baby gift from me. (oops) Since she can’t read yet, I may put pictures AND words on the cards before I laminate. Thanks for sharing!
Shannah @ Just Us Four says
Wow, that turned out so well! I love all the different fabrics you used. The ability to roll it up is such a great feature too. Great job!
Kimbo West @ a girl and a glue gun says
it’s fan freakin tastic! and holy. a ton of work. i was totally just going to print up whole list….not individual words. you always have to one up me! lol. love the jeans..wonky back especially! and the pocket! sorry to make you have a time limit..i totally even forgot what it was! lol. i’m about a month and half overdue on mine.
Kimbo West @ a girl and a glue gun says
oh…and if you any one wants to get in on an ispy swap i always have a waiting list for the next one!
https://kimboscrafts.blogspot.com/2011/10/i-spy-quilts-and-swaps.html
Wag Doll says
What a fabulous and practical quilt! well done, looks great! x
Megan says
I love the pocket with the cards… oh and the ties… actually, I guess I just love the whole thing! haha. Thanks for sharing, Mandy!
Tina says
This looks awesome! I love the look of the big and little squares. The pocket and ties is pretty genius too! All your quilts have inspired me to make a quilt. Maybe I’ll try out an I-spy one. I think I’m capable of sewing straight lines….
saras says
I made one too, well okay I cut the squares and a friend made it! But I love yours much better! Maybe I should make another one… 🙂
Kassi @ Truly Lovely says
That is so neat! I keep saying I want to do one, but haven’t gotten around to it yet…
Liz says
Fantastic! I haven’t done anything with mine yet, but you’ve given me some great ideas! I love seeing the fabrics I swapped in your quilt!
saras says
will you email me if you still have the extra squares? [email protected]
Creating Sarah says
I love it! I was part of that swap and I can see some of the squares I sent!! That’s so cool. =)
I love the idea of putting a pocket on the back. I may have to use that! I haven’t finished mine yet. Good job getting it on time!
Sarah
folkhaven says
This is great, kinda like Where’s Waldo but better because you made it, and it’s a quilt! I’m going to start saving my scraps to do this someday, or maybe I’ll try to track down a swap… Anyway, thanks for this idea!
the simple essentials says
I LOVE quilts and I can honestly say that I will be doing this for my son.
Lee Ann says
I am loving the different size squares!
Michele says
What a great quilt! I love your upcycled denim bag and especially those clever ties!
Marilyn says
Sooo cute….I would LOVE for you to please share this awesome post at my 6Wicked Days of Halloween party today pweeease… https://theartsygirlconnection.blogspot.com/2011/10/flash-back-halloween-6-wicked-days-of.html ..wishing u a spootacular day :))
Priscila says
This is so great! I love love love it!
Priscila @ jensennp.blogspot.com
Melanie says
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE….
I’d love for you to come link this up at my Tuesday Time Out Party!
https://www.reasonstoskipthehousework.com/2011/10/for-this-weeks-party.html
Smiles,
Melanie
Reasons To Skip The Housework {The Blog}
Tinker B Boutique {The Shop}
{[email protected]}
Susan @ Living with Punks says
Love this quilt Mandy…so fun for the kids!
hdhumrichouse says
I am in love with this idea. I can barely sew, but this is worth it!
Natasha says
oohhh!! i just love this!!!
i’m not very good at sewing but will have to give this a try one day
natasha xx
http://www.serenityyou.blogspot.com
Suzanne says
I love the overall pocket on the back with the tags inside. How fun!
Lorie says
This is the greatest idea and turned out so cute! I don’t sew but I’m still pinning this one on pinterest!
Kristen says
Wow! I love the ties to wrap it up for traveling. I feel inspired 🙂 Glad to find you on the tt&j linky party!
Kristen says
Wow! I love the ties to wrap it up for traveling. I feel inspired 🙂 Glad to find you on the tt&j linky party!
Pam says
I just LOVE this!!! … the colours, the tie, the denim, the pocket, the I Spy…. BRILLIANT!!! Hope you don’t mind, but I’m pinning this. It won’t happen any time soon, but I’m going to make one. Thanks for sharing.
Crystal_235 says
What is the finished size of your quilt?
Virginia says
My thought was, why not put a big border around the eye spy part so the kids can sit on the quilt while ‘spying’.
Mandy Beyeler says
that’s a great idea!
Cyndie says
Id love to follow you ad learn some fun things to make.
Clarissa Hooper says
Oh my goodness- I LOVE the addition of the denim pocket!! We have an I Spy quilt that grandma made us. We love laying on it and using a magnifying glass to explore all the fun pictures hidden throughout!
Clarissa Hooper recently posted…Un-toy Friday: Pasta
Sherrill Koss says
Love this quilt! Especially love the idea of having the categories on laminated strips! Can you tell me how you formatted those colorful borders around the text of the strips? It’s such a great addition to the quilt for playing games with it!!! And I’m assuming you have a laminator, which I don’t, but one of the reviews on Amazon for the laminating pouches stated that she used an iron to laminate rather than the machine.
Thanks for your help!!!
Sherrill
Mandy Beyeler says
I just glued the printed words onto a colored paper, so it looks like a border 🙂 – – good luck with yours!
Pauline Perry says
Thanks so much for this terrific tutorial on your fabulous I Spy Quilt – I have long thought I’d like to make one and your ideas are perfect. I am tempted to purchase your leftover squares but I am thinking that collecting them will be half of the fun since I do have 5 grandchildren and A LOT of fabric I should be able to find a lot of things to spy. Thanks again for the inspiration and great ideas like – the cards laminated and kept in a pocket!! – backing with jeans!! – prequilting the front squares with no backing!! (whatever that is called) – and the all important ties to secure the rolled up quilt!! – great ideas and I didn’t have to hurt my brain thinking of them. Ha ha
Pauline
Shelly says
What a sweet quilt! I LOVE the denim backing. I may have to try that one day. Overall job well done!
Shelly recently posted…Jack’s I Spy Baby Quilt With Applique
Dee says
What a fun quilt!!! I have lots of leftovers from a Grandmothers flower garden. The fabrics are what I call fantasy (humpty sumptuous, Jack and Jill, etc. My original plan for my quilt was an ispy while I cuddled under it with the grandchildren, but I’m afraid it has take a few too many years!!! (But I have enjoyed the journey). Looks like I’m already lining up another fun quilt!!! Thanks for the inspiration!!!
Irene says
You’re so creative! I love this project and your easy directions.
Thank you!