In the Jungle..the mighty jungle..

...the lion sleeps tonight..in the jungle the mighty jungle the lions sleeps tonight................aweeeeeee 

Yeah, I know you know that song, and I bet your singing along right now, he he he.  Well that's what I decided to name this little disappearing four patch baby quilt, "In the Jungle"

It's finally finished!  I started this little disappearing four patch baby quilt way back in April.  I started quilting it last month and now its finally done.  It was hard coming up with a name for this quilt, its usually the part of making a quilt that keeps my mind occupied even as I am busy quilting it, it even and keeps me up at night, he he.  But when looking at the fabrics, the name of the fabric line (Bungle Jungle by Tim and Beck for Moda) I knew it would work well.

I wanted to keep the quilting simple, but I wanted to add just a bit of 'flare' in the white inside border.  I cant remember where I've seen this free motion quilting design before, but I as I was playing around on a practice sandwich I just knew it would work great.  I like how it separates the wiggly motion of the stippling and the loops I've quilted inside the outer border.

There is always that little something that I think I could have done differently or wish to change.  This time its the binding.  I don't think the blue dotted fabric works well with the rest of the quilt, maybe I should have used a bright red or even yellow.  I suppose I could still change it, but for now this is my finish, and I am happy that its done...

I could not resist taking this picture, although it is from a far distance, I think it looks too cute with Kayleigh and our BIG dog, (boerbull) Max

If you'd like to read up more about this baby quilt, you can find it here, here and here.  I even have a step by step tutorial to make the disappearing four patch block, you can find it here.

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Stippling - easy to mess up, NOT this time

Stippling is probably the most commonly used free motion quilting design, and most likely a favorite amongst many of you.  I love the look, feel and the texture stippling adds to a quilt.  But mostly I love quilting it!  The only thing I have to concentrate on is to not quilt myself into a corner, luckily with a lot of practice it sort of comes naturally now.  But then, there's scale...

I have to admit that I do struggle a bit with that.  I tend to at times 'wonder' off from the scale or spacing between the wiggly lines, and end up going smaller and when I notice my mistake, I tend to quilt in even a larger scale than intended.  I hate ripping out any stitches unless I have made a complete mess of it, so usually I would just continue and hope it would  not be too noticeable.  But this time as I progressed quilting this disappearing four patch baby quilt I noticed that for the first time, I kept quilting at a constant ½ inch (more or less) spacing.

I have completely finished the center area of this quilt today, and plan to be a bit more creative for the white inside border and the outer border.  I have not yet decided what I will quilt, but I want to try and continue outwards with the square designs of the pieced blocks.

I am glad to have finally started quilting this quilt, its been lying in a drawer for almost six months, and each time I would see it, I felt a bit guilty for neglecting it.  At this rate I will have a finish much sooner than I thought.

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So many WIPs

How many projects have you got that you're working on at once?  I think I might be overdoing it just a tad bit, I realized it today when I took them all out to take some pictures.  The following wips are all my most recent, I have three crochet projects going simultaneously, and already I am planning another.  

I bought these variegated yarns to make a few more doilies.  I enjoyed making my 1st one so much, all I've wanted to do since was try another few.  But for now I think I need to finish up a few of my other projects before starting another..

My most recent project is another African Flower Crochet Bag.  The first I made was for the Secret Tote Bag Swap, which was a hit by the way, my partner loved it!  This time I am using a much thinner yarn, so the bag will be really small.  All that is left to do, is construct the bottom of the bag, the drawstring, the part where the drawstring will pull through, and of course the lining.

Another crochet project is this Clam Shell Blanket.  I am using various colours of elle Pure Gold Chunky.  I think this project might sit on the shelf for a while.  The weather has warmed up considerably these past few weeks, and having it lie across my lap while crocheting might be murder, lol.  If you are interested in the pattern click HERE.  

Another crochet project, is this chevron blanket, I recon I am about halfway with this one.

Then, not forgetting that I quilt too, I've started cleaning up the back of the disappearing four patch baby quilt that I've made a few months ago.  The white fabric I used was fraying so much that I decided to clip them away before basting.  The last thing I want is for it to show up after quilting. 

So with it ready and 'clean' I started basting, I cant wait to start quilting it.  I've felt rather guilty for letting this one lie for so long.

Then, just when you thought I was done sharing all my WIPs, here is another I started.  A little cross stitch rose which was included with issue no 30 of Mollie Makes. 

 Hopefully before long I will be able to share a finish with you.

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One down, two to go.

I am so happy with how this baby quilt top turned out.  This is the first out of three I'm planning to make.  I still have to get backing fabric so this little one will have to wait a while before I can start quilting it. 

I admit, I was a bit emotional while making this quilt top.  It's hard not to let your thoughts get in the way.  But I'm also proud of myself for making this decision (you can read more about it here).  Its not always easy finding ways to finally let the past go, but I'm certain that if I take this one step at a time, things will be okay in the end .

When it came to piecing the rows together I had to use a lot of pins to ensure that the lines match up.  

There is one block left and I think I will try to incorporate it in the backing.

Here is a tutorial I wrote on how to make the disappearing four patch quilt block.  Its really easy and I think it looks great with the white background fabric.

I'm not entirely sure what the standard is when it comes to sashing and border widths, so I cut the sashing 2½ inches wide and the border 4½ inches.  Before adding the sashing and border the size was 32 x 39½ inches, after adding the extra fabric it's now at 43½ x 51 inches.

I still have to think of a ways to use up these little charm packs, any ideas?

Happy quilting.

WIP Wednesday - Charm pack baby quilt and a tutorial

I am the process of making a cute little baby quilt using the Bungle Jungle by Tim and Beck for Moda charm pack and white background fabric.  I decided to make all the blocks into the disappearing four patch block and written a step by step tutorial.

But before I get to the tutorial, just have a look at some of the cute animal prints, they are just adorable.

  

Start out by making a four patch, using four 5 inch pieces of fabric, two white and two print.  Make sure to press the seams to the dark/print fabric, once you have your four patch, press the seam in the middle to the bottom.

 

Nest the seams closely together, that way your block will have a perfect finish.

Cutting was a bit tricky since I don't have a rotary cutting mat.  So I worked slowly not to move the pieces of fabric while cutting, and because I'm right handed I had to really work slow while cutting with my left.  I got the hand of it soon enough.

Line up he ruler 1 inch below the
seam and cut all the way through

Line up the ruler 1 inch to the
right of the seam and cut all
the way through.  

Line up the ruler 1 inch abovethe seam and cut all the way through.

Line up the ruler 1 inch to the
left of the seam and cut all the 
way through.

Your pieces will end up looking like this.  Now its time to swap around the following pieces.  Swap around pieces A with B, and C with D.  Rotate piece E counterclockwise once.

To ensure that your points match up perfectly you'll need to press the seam of block F towards the print fabric.

Now you'll assemble the block in rows, -top, -middle and the bottom row.  Make sure to press the seams as shown below in the directions of the white arrows.

Once your block is complete press the two middle seams to the outsides.

Make sure to press the seams correctly from the start that way the seams will match up perfectly.

Linking up to WIP Wednesday @ Freshly Pieced.

Happy quilting.