• Quilting Motif Used: First Gear

• Thread: Color: Top- Glide 40wt. Medium Grey, Bobbin- Glide 60wt. Lead Grey

• Quilt Top Pattern: Robots by Elizabeth Hartman

• Quilt Top pieced by: Beth S.

This robot quilt rounds out a trio of quilts that Beth created for her grandchildren. Be sure to check out the companion projects, her dinosaur quilt and dog quilt, too!

For this quilt, Beth selected the First Gear edge-to-edge design, a perfect match for Elizabeth Hartman's playful robot pattern. Rather than fading into the background, the gear motifs become part of the story of the quilt. The circular shapes peek through the robots, creating the illusion that you can see the gears and mechanics working inside them. It's one of those combinations where the quilting design feels like a natural extension of the piecing.

Thread selection helped reinforce the theme. I used a dark gray Glide thread that complements the mechanical feel of the robots while providing enough contrast to let the quilting design show. Against the lighter fabrics, the gears become more visible, adding another layer of detail without distracting from the pieced characters themselves.

While the front is packed with personality, the backing may have been my favorite surprise. Beth chose a bold neon stripe fabric that immediately transported me back to the early 1990s. The electric colors make the quilting stand out beautifully and bring an extra sense of fun to an already playful project. It's impossible to look at the backing without smiling.

Projects like this are a reminder of why I love quilting for repeat customers. Watching Beth's collection of quilts for her grandchildren grow over time has been a joy, and each one has had its own unique personality. This robot quilt combines thoughtful piecing, a perfectly matched quilting design, and a delightfully nostalgic backing to create a finish that is every bit as fun as the recipient it's intended for. 🤖⚙️🧵