One of my Mother’s Day gifts from my son and daughter-in-law in St. Louis was a two-yard length of some exciting fabric. I love the silhouettes of a hometown marching band with exploding fireworks (click on photo to see fabric design).
I used 1-½ yards to make myself a patriotic coverall apron with a nice big pocket.
I used the remainder to make a pillow and desk mat. Judy Martin (my favorite designer) had a BOM on her website called Star Cluster which I thought would work well with the fabric. I used the marching band fabric along with red/white/blue scraps to make a 16 inch block which became a pillow …
…and two 12-inch blocks for a large mat for my father’s 1940s-era homemade desk.
Like all of Judy’s designs, she has taken an easy pattern and added her own twists to make it unique.
Thank you to my St. Louis family for a gift that multiplied itself into three nice items.
LILLIAN'S CUPBOARD 
I just love that fabric and the block. You can use that through the summer and I like your idea of making useful things like the pillows and mat.
Is that a Shirley Temple status with the straw hat? It sure is cute.
The figure with the straw hat is a little farm boy.
Yes, that marching band fabric is real cute.
That’s some very pretty fabric and you made some very nice items. I like your desk and accessories, too. It’s so nice to have such thoughtful relatives.
I LOVE that fabric! It is so perfect for your father’s desk collection, with the older cars on it. What great items you made with that. You coverall looks perfect for everything from baking bread to … well, feeding the dog! LOL
Well done! 🙂
How PERFECT your patriotic display looks…and what a PERFECT gift, too!! I would love to get something like that fabric from my child. Very thoughtful of them.
Thank you for the link to the Star Cluster pattern. I may use it for an upcoming challenge at my quilt guild.
Hugs,
Rett
What a great pattern! It’s perfect for the apron.
OMgosh, beautiful work with that beautiful fabric! I esp love the desk mat and the whole display with everything together on the desk – so lovely.
You made every inch of that fabric ‘work!’
Lillian – how sweet of your family to give you the gift of fabric. It gave you the enjoyment of making lovely items, enjoying them at your home and sharing them with us on your blog. Simply beautiful! 🙂 Irene
The fabric’s are just awesome! What you’ve done with them is wonderful. I love seeing what you do:)
You definitely made good use of the 2 yards of fabric! I love your apron and the star blocks are great.
Lillian, this is so pretty. What a great way to use this fabric.
I adore the desk mat!! A great job, Lillian.
Beautiful work – once again LiIlian!
Wonderful summer time pillows. and decor.