Pattern Rating - Happy Painter
This pattern rating story starts way back. Well, not 1990’s era way back, but pre-COVID, 2019 way back.
That year, my mother was invited to go to the “big” quilt market as it was hosted in Kansas City. While on this trip, she sent me a picture of two cute, pixelated Spider-Man and Bob Ross likeness quilts. I fell in love and she brought me home the “Happy Painter” pattern.
This pattern, “Happy Painter”, is created by Toni Smith and Nicole Ellison. AKA - Many Pieces Theory.
The quilt finishes 39” x 53” and is made from squares, rectangles, and strip pieces that get cut to size. It is friendly for beginners, but I would say a beginner with a couple of quilts under their belt.
Let’s get into the story of making “Bob”. I got the pattern around May of 2019 and purchased the material not long after. Unfortunately, I can’t remember when…I deleted the fabric pull picture (note to self - don’t take three years to finish a quilt), likely in the late summer or fall. I did challenge myself to find material that would be in Bob Ross paintings to stay on theme; the blue looks like water, green and brown material has leaves, and there’s even a wood grain fabric that make up my fabric pull. Finally, the white is a grunge to give it the canvas a, well, canvas feel.
During the pandemic, I started to go back through my stash and “Bob” stayed on the back-burner. But, come February of 2021, I finished him up. And that’s really when I should’ve written this!
Recently, I sent in two larger quilts to the quilter and decided to send “Bob” along. I found some beautiful blue backing that looked like it was water color and we were good to go. A week later, I had him back, complete with quilted leaves (happy leaves). I got some binding that reminded me of a birch tree and I showed “Bob” off at Quilt Guild in August of 2022.
However, in terms of difficulty, this is NOT a three year quilt. But, before I get into that, let’s get into more of the details on the pattern so you can gauge if this is the right for you.
Pro's -
It only takes squares and rectangles to make this. It’s great to practice your 1/4” seam and strip sewing. This was one of my most square quilts and I didn’t use any tools to help.
There are instructions for which way to press the seams for the strips. Even if you get something messed up, you aren’t messing with bias and it is an easy fix to press the seams the way you need.
It’s small and really could be done in a weekend. The size is even manageable for you to machine quilt on a domestic.
You cut everything from either 3 1/2” or 2” strips - your mind won't go numb from all the pieces you need to cut.
Easily adaptable to solids, pattern, traditional, or more modern material.
You can add borders if you want it larger.
Con’s -
I found mistakes - I needed more yardage of one color and you needed one more strip of two colors and one more rectangle. Please note, these may have been corrected with pattern updates, please check the pattern maker’s website for corrections and updates.
How the pieces are labeled in the pattern can get confusing and “busy.”
I do think a design wall is a must - you need to layout your pieces. I know not everyone has access to a design wall, so that’s why this is a con. With the number of pieces, I wouldn’t have liked having to bend down to the floor over and over again.
I also don’t think this could be chain pieced - the block sections don’t always line up when putting the quilt top together.
It is a very specific themed quilt - you may make this one only once if you only have one Bob fan in your house.
Overall Rating 3.5 of 5 Stars and I’d make it again. But, I’ll need a Bob Ross fan to do it.
As an update, I researched the pattern designers and now it looks like only Toni maintains a website, but the pattern is available through shops like Fat Quarter Shop (not sponsored). It also looks like Many Pieces theory has expanded her collection to other character likenesses such as Superman, Wonder Woman, and Loki to name a few. I also saw on her website that if you sign-up for her newsletter, you can get “Happy Painter” for free.
“Bob” is now at his final home - a guild friend who’s husband gets mistaken and told he’s a Bob Ross look alike.
What do you think? Does “Bob” look like a fun make to you - is it on your “to make” list now? Let me know in the comments.
