For the first time ever, the mister and I were able to visit someone for Thanksgiving. All those years that he worked retail prevented us from going to anyone else’s home to celebrate and eat like there was no tomorrow! This time however, we traveled to Austin to visit the mister’s daughter. While we there, her friends gave her a wonderful baby shower and you can read about that here: A Branch on the Family Tree
The day after Thanksgiving we didn’t brave the hoards of crazy shoppers. I asked my step-daughter to take me to the local quilt store. It is just who I am. While we were there, we spied a super cute baby quilt and the shop, Poppy Quilt ‘N Sew, had the pattern for sale. I asked the momma-to-be if she would like for me to make it for her and she was thrilled. We then set about choosing fabrics. This wasn’t an easy task with momma and her wife with one idea, the mister with his, mine, plus the woman that was helping us! It certainly could have turned out to be a disaster. But by the time we left, I felt really confident about our group choices.
The pattern I used is “Mommy & Me”, a QP Designs pattern designed by Colette Belt. We chose all the fabrics but one and that was a charm pack (5″ square 42 ct. packet of fabric). I knew what I had in mind and I ordered it from Missouri Star Quilt Co. I got home after the holiday and put everything away. I got busy, traveled, went to quilt shows, painted rooms, whatever whatever. But I didn’t crack this pattern.
Now that the new little leaf is on the family tree and we are heading back to Texas to get to meet her, I figured it was finally time to bust out the quilt pattern and get busy. Hey, the mister was nagging me too! I looked high and low for the charm pack of fabric that I ordered to go with the pattern and couldn’t find it anywhere. I had a layer cake of the same fabric line, Zen Chic “For You” by Brigitte Heitland for Moda, and I cut those into 5″ squares and moved forward. (I ultimately found that naughty little charm pack hiding out under another piece of fabric!)
I assembled all the elements for the quilt and it went together rather easily.
Love that giant rick rack!
Now I have never really done any applique’, but I was determined to give it a shot. While it isn’t great, I would say it isn’t bad for a first effort. That the figures were simple elephant drawings certainly helped.
Very cute! I just adore the elephant novelty print.
Of course I had to do my signature pieced backing and then something horrible happened. I thought that it would be the end of this sweet quilt! My beloved iron decided that it needed to move to the next level and go to iron heaven. But before it did that, it spewed rusty water all over the bright white backing.
NOOOOOOOOOOOO!
I didn’t panic (outwardly) and began using a spot removal concoction and water. I did get most of it to release from the fabric and then I just tossed the whole backing panel into the washing machine and held my breath for the next hour.
It came out. I know. Unbelievable but true. Whew!
The mister helped me baste the quilt together and then I did an all over meander stitch.
The quilt trimmed and ready for binding
I adore this sweet elephant print from Lotta Jansdotter. I am also happy it wasn’t ruined.
Stitching on the last bit of binding. This is the only fabric that I ended up changing from our collective choice. We had chosen a teal stylized print that just didn’t seem suitable once I pieced all the charm pack squares.
The finished quilt. I think mommas and baby will be happy. I know I am!
