Monday, March 8, 2010

What I accomplished last weekend


Sometime last year, I bought this pack of fat quarters based on one of Sammy's favorite books, The Hungry Caterpillar. I had thought that making this quilt would be great reminder of the book. Well, all the fabric stayed organized and put away. I just didn't have time to sew with the baby around. We don't read The Hungry Caterpillar as often anymore because I think Sammy's outgrowing it just a little. I really wanted him to have this quilt while he was very young. So, I took out the fabric. I had decided where I wanted to place the big panels and everything else would be simple strips, but my spatially gifted friend Stephanie (who also bought this same collection of fabrics) designed a much more visually interesting pattern (which, of course, I decided to use as well. Why re-invent the wheel?)


On Saturday, I spent between two and three hours ironing and cutting fabrics.

In the evening, I managed to sew 2/3 of the topper and I finished the topper on Sunday! Stephanie and I had to order more fabric for the backing. So, while we wait for that, we'll cut and piece the binding. I think I have batting big enought for this 45" x 60" size quilt. I want to have this done in time for Sammy's 5th birthday in April.

Here's another project that had been stalled for months. I had the squares done for a while, but I knew I wanted to add at least one border. So, after finishing The Hungry Caterpillar quilt topper, I worked on adding the border here. I determined I have enough of the border fabric left for the backing and some coordinating fabric for the binding.

Here's a close-up of the basic square pattern.

While watching the Oscars last night (Didn't Sandra Bullock look stunning?), I knit more of my bear for the Mother Bear Project. Yes, I can see that one arm is definitely more pumped than the other! I'll have to add some more stuffing to the weak arm. I still have to embroider the face, pick up stitches around the middle to knit a skirt and graft the top closed.
After looking at my fabric stash, I've come to the conclusion that I have too much fabric for my comfort levels. Does anyone remember this quilt topper? I came across this project last weekend and I discovered that I've lost all interest in completing this quilt. I love the colors and everything. It's Spring-y and bright, but since it didn't turn out the way I envisioned, I'm less inclined to finish it. Any other quilters out there who might want to take on this project? I have lots of extra strips and scraps of this Kaffe Fasset fabric that I will include with the topper. I think there is someone out there who can re-invent this quilt and make it beautiful. I would love to send this to someone who loves to quilt. Leave me a comment here or at Facebook and if there's more than one person interested, I'll just draw a winner! I hope it will inspire someone to new levels of creativity.

3 comments:

Jennifer said...

Carmen, these are so lovely. I have a pile of Miffy fabrics that we've outgrown already. How wonderful that you finished yours before he outgrew it entirely.

the momma said...

The little caterpillar is so fun! I've not see the fabrics before.

I love the colors in your no-longer-loved quilt top, too; they nearly shout, "Spring has arrived!"

Anonymous said...

these are gorgeous carmie! you are amazing. beautiful work!!!! krissy