Lip Smackin' Good! Baby Gears.

It wasn't that long ago (9 or 10 months actually), that we found out our neighbors were going to be having a baby.  I was so excited that I could actually make a quilt specifically for someone!  

The months passed and winter came and went.  The end of March little Sofia made her debut! Naturally, I didn't have a quilt made, but I thought about it...a lot, I just never quite got around to it. One day it just hit me like a ton of bricks what I wanted to make for Sofia.

BABY GEARS
34" x 50 1/2"

Every time I saw the baby she was in pink.  I figured it was a safe bet to stick with her trademark color!

I had a bundle of Riley Blake Cream on Cream fat quarters and thought they would a perfect background.  Just enough texture and interest, but not too much where the pink gears were lost.

My stacks were cut and ready to go.  I have to say, it was a nice change to work with plans! Even though I didn't use the exact design I made on EQ7, it was a wonderful guide to work from.

It's a good combination, don't you think?  I want to make this one again...really bad!  I have some charm squares that would be a cool variation!  

Each pink center is 3" finished.  Each block is 6" and when all nine magically go together you end up with one large 18" block.

The options for quilting were endless. You all know I'm a sucker for dense straight line quilting.  This time I'll still stick with being dense (the quilting, not me), but try some concentric circles.  I have always loved the look of concentric circles.  They are so gorgeous!  No time like the present to give it a whirl!

I picked my starting point, making it slightly off center and began the dizzying process.  I used my dual feed (like a walking foot), and slowly started from the center outward.  The first circles went pretty slow, you have to take your time, go slow and adjust the quilt a lot.  I was happy with the progress and even when I went a little 'wonky', I wasn't concerned.  I knew a good wash & dry would hide the inconsistencies.  

Eventually it was time to tackle that pesky center!  I ended up getting a few more circles in, but it got pretty tough!   Which left me one little area to conquer. 

I busted out the big guns!  Free motion quilting.  Let's not look too closely, just close enough to make out the 'S' in the center.  It'll work!

Sofia is nearly 4 month old now.  I don't think she will care one way or another if this is a little over due.  What I do know is this:  There really isn't a bad time to receive a quilt.  Ever! 

For the backing and binding I used a bright Kona Honeysuckle pink.  Because  I had a few extra blocks, why not add them to the back?!

She will be wrapped up, covered up and waking up with her pretty little pink quilt for years to come!  That's if I ever get it to her!

LINKING:

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TGIFF

Can I Get A Whoop Whoop

Challenges Are Not Me!

If you are a member of the Modern Guild (or not), you may know about the Riley Blake Fabric Challenge.  You sign up for a little bundle of fabric from a specific line (The Cottage Garden) and make something. 

The rules are make something quilted, something you have never done before and only use Riley Blake 'The Cottage Garden' Collection.  You can buy more fabric from this line, what ever you need above and beyond the free bundle.  

This was the bundle that was mailed out to members.  I did buy one additional fabric.  A 1/2 yard of the grey solid.  Just in case, I figured it was grey and I can always use that color!

Where will I go with this?  Heck if I know!  I wasn't sure what I was going to do at all.  I knew that I was only going to allow myself to use the free bundle and the half yard of grey. Nothing more.  That means I followed the rules...something new.  (yes, I am pushing it)

And, I knew I wanted to paper piece something (not new).  Only this time I would combine different patterns and twist, cut and twiddle with it.  (new)  

The pattern above is 'Rockstar' from Diane Bohn:  From Blank Pages blog.  I love the shapes, but they were going to change.  

The birds are a big draw!  You gotta use the birds!  Fussy cutting (something new) and the first time I pieced this Mini Trajectory block which I found on Craftsy.  (new).  

Now to figure out how to make them go together.  After turning, twisting and eventually cutting, I came up with this design.

I had to sew partial seams which just about killed me!  I don't think my calculating was correct, but it eventually came together.  

See how wonky they turned out?  It happens. I kept thinking that some good old quilting will take care of the issues!

Sewn together in one lovely large block.  I have to admit that by this time I was hating it. What was I thinking?  I'm not sure, but I knew this 'thing' was not going to see the light of day, let alone be entered in the challenge!

But I forced myself to keep going.  I added the left over pieces from the 'Rock Star' blocks around the center.  Then grabbed the rotary cutter and sliced an improv border with flower print.  Done.  I have never combined the precise method of paper piecing with improv...New! 

16" x 16"
Pillow Cover

I used my very limited free motion quilting skills to finish it off.  Go for it!  Quilt the hell out of it, it will be fine...  

In all honesty, I threw up my hands in frustration by now!  Just quilt it, wash it and chalk it up to a lesson learned!

Last, the backing.  The remaining three pieces of fabric were combined with a hidden zipper for this crazy pieced backing.   After that, not one little piece of fabric was left over.  Not one!!

After washing, after the crinkle action happened, I then felt much better about this pillow. I'm not saying I love it.  I'm saying I don't hate it any longer!  

I kind of feel bad that my attempt at this challenge didn't work out so well.  I'm sure there were plenty of people who wished they had been able to get one of these bundles when the challenge was first announced.  And I'm sure they would have made some thing fantastic. 

I now know that if you aren't in love...love...love with a fabric line or color combination, there is no way you can make something that you love.  I'm proud that I finished and happy that I did complete the challenge.

Did you take the Riley Blake Challenge?  Did you have difficult time with it?

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Charity Sew ~ Pillowcases

This past Saturday was our monthly Music City Modern Quilt Guild meeting.  Our mission for this day was pillowcases.  Lot's of pillowcases!  

A couple times a year we dedicate a day for Charity sewing.  This time a new Charity was selected, The Ronald McDonald House of Nashville.  Having a sick child takes an emotional toll on a family.  The RMHC provides housing and comfort for families.  It allows families to stay together, to refresh and rest.

Pillowcases seemed like the perfect idea!  Our Charity Committee contacted Riley Blake Designs to see if they would be interested in donating fabric.  They were!  And they were more than generous!  Bolts and bolts of fabric were sent!  We were blown away with their generosity!

We had a very enthusiastic group of members and guests show up!  The machines were humming, rotary cutters rolling and irons steaming!

Stefanie started by giving us a demonstration on how to make a rolled pillowcase.  I've made one before, but a refresher was definitely in order!  For my pillowcase I used this tutorial from All People Quilt.  They are fun, fast and super easy.  

Katie and Callie were the designated cutters!  They were flying through the bolts with precision and speed.  Callie may or may not have cut herself...

The floor became our friend when it came to rolling the fabric.  Lindsay started us off with the drop and roll dance!

Ashley, Lindsay and Veronica totally rocked!  Everyone did!  Among the steady hum of machines going, there was also the steady hum of laughter and chatter.  

The fabric that Riley Blake Designs donated was gorgeously adorable!  Here's a few of the combinations...now you know this is going to put some big smiles on some little faces!

In four hours, we made 110 ~ YES...110 pillowcases!  Rewarding, to say the least! Thank you ladies for all your hard work!