Elephant Parade Quilt

November 15, 2010

Each quilt we complete becomes our favorite for a short period of time... but this one, called Elephant Parade, will continue to be on my list because it has a special story.

My husband has worked for a Japanese company for 9 years, and it wasn't until a couple months ago, we finally had our first Japanese guests over for dinner. They were expecting their first child and had some questions for us.

Sure! No problem, I thought... we'd been through it twice after all? It wasn't until they arrived and we started really getting to know each other that I realized how difficult it would be to have your first child in a country that wasn't your own. I remember how difficult it was to be a first-time parent - and the over-whelming feeling I had walking into Babies'R'Us for the first time. Now imagine doing this thousands of miles from home and trying to understand everything-baby in a different language. My heart really went out to them.

So, of course, after they left, I decided I HAD to make them a quilt. I sketched out a couple different versions of this before finally settling here. I used 2 fabrics from Robert Kaufman's Urban Circus with Kona Turquois and Kona Orange. Although I am still trying to figure out free motion, I managed to do a little echo around the elephant applique in the center (which I think looks awesome if I do say so myself!).

Their son is the cutest little guy and has two gracious and loving parents to guide him throughout his life. I hope this little quilt will keep him cuddled nice and warm even after our friends return to Japan.

Dutch Pinwheel Block Tutorial

November 8, 2010

Ok, so now I'm on a little mission to create some tutes for blocks I love that I haven't found blog links for. Here's my first!

The Dutch Pinwheel.

This block is made with 16 HST (Half-Square Triangle) units. You will need to cut 16 - color/print 2.5" squares and 16 - white 2.5" squares. You may use charms if you like, or also cutting 2.5" strips into squares will also work.

I used 5" x 5" charm squares for the prints and leftover strips for the white.

1. Stack the four charm squares on top of each other. Cut charm squares in half both vertically and horizontally to create 16 - 2.5" squares. Also, cut 16 - 2.5" squares of white.

2. Draw a line diagonally across the block from one corner to the opposing corner on all 16 print 2.5" squares.

3.Sew a print 2.5" square right sides together with a white 2.5" square along the drawn line. Using chain piecing here will get these done in no time!

Note: I purposely didn't sew 1/4" away from the drawn line to make 2 blocks from these squares because I felt the resulting HST unit would be too small.

4. Trim the excess material from the sewn blocks, making sure to cut 1/4" away from the sewn seam.

5. Press open all blocks, with the seam allowance pressed toward the print.

6. Arrange your blocks as shown below until you are happy with the fabric placements.

7. Sew units together to make 4 rows. Then sew the rows together. There you go! All done!

Tutorial: Say Boo! Wall Hanging

October 11, 2010

I wasn't planning to make any additional Halloween decorations this year.... and then I was struck by inspiration when I saw my little guy wearing these Adorable pjs!

This small wall hanging is approximately 8" x 15 1/2" and was made completely from scraps! I only had to go buy some embroidery floss which was 35 cents. I bet you have some spooky scraps in your stash that would make this cute little ghost say Boo!

MATERIALS:

7 1/2" x 15" black fabric for top background

7 1/2" x 15" fabric for backing

batting rectangle slight larger than top

assorted spooky scraps for applique shapes

strip at least 1 1/2" x 52" for (single fold) binding

coordinating thread for applique shapes

2 - embroidery floss (1 black, 1 orange)

fusible web

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cut the black background fabric to size - 7 1/2" x 15".

2. Print and cut out the templates (

templates here

). I've provided the shapes for you, so all you have to do is cut them out and trace onto your fabric. But I just wanted to show you the really "high-tech" stuff I used to make the shapes. The ghost and the feet were sketched, but those ribbon and thread spools come in handy!

3. When tracing the ghost onto your fabric, make sure to place him

backward

on the

wrong side

of the fabric! This way he will be correct when you flip him over.

4. After cutting out all the shapes, follow the manufacturer's instructions to place fusible web on the wrong side of the applique shapes. Next position the moon, ghost, pumpkin and feet as shown in the following photo. Fuse in place.

5. After all shapes are fused, use a simple zig zag stitch or blanket stitch to secure the applique shapes.

6. Now it is time for the hand embroidery. First, write out the word "B O O" faintly using a white marking pencil.

7. Next use a running stitch to sew "B O O" with orange embroidery thread.

8. Use the black embroidery thread to outline and fill the triangles for the pumpkin's face and the ovals for the ghost's eyes. Refer to the photos to place the facial features of the pumpkin and ghost. Use the running stitch again for the pumpkin handle.

9. For the backing fabric, cut or piece (as I did) another 7 1/2" x 15" rectangle.

10. Layer the backing fabric right side down, batting, and then quilt top right side up and baste. Quilt as desired. (Note: I did not quilt mine, but there are surely many fun and spooky ways to quilt this!)

11. Prepare your binding strips to at least 1 1/2" wide and attach to the quilt. I used only single fold binding since this is a seasonal wall hanging and it won't be up but 1-2 months a year. It shouldn't take much abuse.