Once again I am finding myself playing catch up with my monthly obligations...like QALs and sewalongs and charity blocks. I think that maybe I over committed this year but I have a hard time NOT joining in. It leaves little time for my own designing and for sewing for my family, friends, and me.
So when I found out that a close friend's daughter was going to have a baby, I needed to get busy and make and complete a baby quilt.
Forest animals is the theme for the baby's room and shower. So I found some paper pieced animals and trees designed by MadebyMarney on Etsy. Mary's style is unique and cute. I added the squirrel designed by Protoquilt. I did change the patterns a bit and I embroidered the eyes, noses, and other markings (instead of buttons). I added the words and designed the layout.
The blocks are all paper pieced except for the Forest Friends which is appliqued. The sashing and border print is a woodland animal print I found at Joann's. The backing is one piece of another woodland printed fabric.
The animal blocks are 8" squares and the tree block is 12" square.
I quilted with a stipple across the quilt being careful not to sew over the embroidered features. The quilt finishes at 37" x 40".
I hope mama and baby like it! Linking to Favorite Monthly Finish @Meadow Mist Designs.
In August, I participated in the #30daysofimprovqal on Instagram. This was the 2nd year. Each week there is a shape that was the focus: stripes, polygons, triangles, and curves. On 5 days of the week a new prompt was announced to help you make your block. All the fabric that I used was from my stash. The last week focused on composition. At first I thought I would do a more traditional layout giving each block its own space. But the more I looked at it hanging on my design wall, I wasn't satisfied. I ripped it all out and began rearranging, adding and stitching it back together. This is how it turned out.
I straight line quilted every 1/2" from the top to the bottom.
I added corners for hanging.
This quilt finishes at 27" x 31.5" This quilt is gifted to a friend.
It is now nearing the end of September and I just got started on light blue for my RSC blocks. They came together pretty quickly.
Hang Ten in blue and all nine colors.
And my 3rd RSC block in blue and all nine colors
I'll keep working and hopefully will be ready to go before October comes. I got a few more things to catch up on!