Sometimes it feels so easy …. I’m sure you know what I mean …. those rare occasions that you have an idea and translating it into fabric and thread just flows, everything happens right the first time. It’s such a magic, wonderful feeling that for me at least, happens only rarely – usually I can be found muttering, unpicking, tweaking and re-stitching! But there was no unpicking at all while I was stitching this project – my Woodland Alphabet Quilt …
It’s destined to be a gift for some friends who have been waiting for adoption for some time. They’ve recently heard that they’ll be bringing home a little boy aged seven months in just a few weeks time. I do hope they’ll like my gift…
It’s still very much a work in progress, but I finished piecing the top late this afternoon – just some borders around the edges and it’s onto the quilting. I was inspired by the clean lines and appliqued text of the Baby Life Quilt design by V and Co that I found in the Moda Bakeshop…
I love the uncluttered feel of this quilt and wanted to try to give my Woodland Alphabet Quilt the same feeling of simplicity and space – as well as including lots of forest friends ….
I followed Vanessa Christenson’s tip of zig-zagging around my applique shapes with clear thread. All my shapes were quite simple so there wasn’t too much huffing and puffing while pivoting around corners. My favourite block is R for Rabbit (of course!) ….
Though the hedgehog and mouse are cute too. I’m considering whether to add a narrow patchwork border around all the squares before the final wider borders – if anybody has any thoughts or suggestions I’d love to hear them. This project will be included in the April issue of the Bustle & Sew eMagazine and then I’ll be wrapping it up ready to send to my friends in time for their baby boy’s arrival.
Beautiful! It’s a very lucky baby that will be snuggling under the cutest alphabet quilt ever! I’m so excited that you’re including it in April’s ezine!
X Linda
What a wonderful quilt, Helen! I expect it will become an heirloom in the baby’s life.
I’m leaning toward saying no the narrow patchwork border around all the squares because of the borders around each individual square to keep the same feeling of space as the Baby life quilt.
I hope the roof leak was minor and already fixed.
It’s adorable. A welcome and useful gift that will be treasured.
What a cute quilt, I loved the simple design and the fact that you didn’t have pictures for all the letters, far too cluttered. I’d do a narrow plain border, then a patchwork border, then a wider border I think, which would frame it well.
Hi Helen,
Lovely quilt – I would be inclined to put a border round the blocks exactly as you have done the sashing between the blocks (same fabrics, same width) and then put a fairly plain, co-ordinating border all round (to calm it all down!) and then make up your binding with the same fabrics as your sashing in random lengths. That sounds rather complicated but it isn’t really! I’m sure you understand what I mean. Good luck – it’ll look great whatever you do and the recipients will be thrilled with it.
Love,
Diana.
XXXXXX – to Ben and Miss Daisy, too.
That’s adorable!
This quilt is gorgeous!
Your quilt is soooo sweet. I can’t wait for your April Magazine and the pattern. Thank you for sharing.
Ooh! this quilt is so beautiful. I am looking forward to the magazine in April!