Children's Delight Quilt Top Finished!
It doesn't matter whether I am knitting or quilting, completing a project (or at least my part of the project) always makes me happy. Can you say "product crafter". Oh yes, that is what I am. It's not to say that I don't enjoy the process, but finishing a project, no matter how small, is always like giving myself a present. And who doesn't like to get gifts?
So this is it! The Children's Delight Quilt, with instructions taken from Quilts from the Quilt Maker's Gift
. Another version of the quilt has a wide border constructed of the focus fabric. I decided after putting on just the simple border that any more use of the focus fabric would probably be that "bit too much" and stopped with the orange edging. The final size of the quilt top is 37" x 51", plenty big for a crib or a toddler bed. 
With every project I do, my technique gets a little better. As far as being a quilter or a sewer goes, I've had a few classes, but most of what I am learning comes from "independent study". With this project, getting things to line up correctly so that those little orange pieces formed an "x" shape that looked neat took some extra focus and I had to work out for my self the best way to "square up" my squares after completing them. Of course, I'm showing off one of my better joins, but most of them were actually pretty decent. Since I am giving this quilt as a gift, I forced myself to be more of a stickler for small details than I might have been if I was just keeping it for myself. Ultimately, though, it just means that the next quilt I make for me will be that much better from the discipline that I worked out on this project.Now all that remains is to take this quilt off to Quiltology to have it quilted and bound (yes, I am a lazy slacker when it comes to doing that part -- but I may make a miniature version of this quilt as a doll blanket for the recipient baby's sister, so I will probably quilt that by hand). I'm going to back the quilt with orange Minkee (how fabulous is it that there is orange Minkee?) and have it bound with the same orange fabric (Kaffe Fasset's Roman Glass) as the outer border to keep it simple.
And, since I just found out about another baby that is on the way, when I head to Quiltology, I'll be picking out some more fabric to get started on another quilt. But since that baby has quite a bit of incubating time to go, my Blooming 9 Patch may get another shot at my sewing machine here soon!
Thank you to everyone who said such nice things about the Z Baby. John and I are, of course, smitten by almost everything she does and are big suckers for those big smiles, of which there are many. According to my mom, she smiles a lot more than I did when I was a baby. I'll try to get a few more "Fridays with Z" posts in here and there. Seems like there's always something to talk about when it comes to being a new mom!
Thank you to everyone who said such nice things about the Z Baby. John and I are, of course, smitten by almost everything she does and are big suckers for those big smiles, of which there are many. According to my mom, she smiles a lot more than I did when I was a baby. I'll try to get a few more "Fridays with Z" posts in here and there. Seems like there's always something to talk about when it comes to being a new mom!
It's beautiful... and eye boggling!!
That's just beautiful, and such fine work!
Wow - that's really gorgeous. Obviously a lot of work. Well done!
Aren't baby smiles and giggles the best? Ours is nearly 6 months old and I can't get enough of him laughing and grabbing his feet these days.
I love it! I can just picture all those baby brain neurons firing away, looking at those great colors and wild patterns. (I've only made a few small quilts, but the quilting is my favorite part.)
T-
I've loved watching this quilt come together! I have found that machine quilting is much too difficult if you do not have a long-arm quilting machine. But the binding is quite simple and enjoyable in my opinion. The challenge of sewing it on and then hand-stitching it into place invisibly is fun. I would also love to try hand-quilting and will watch for your doll blanket.
I didn't realize you were going to give that quilt away! I would find it hard to do, with its cheerful little rainbow-y figures. Lovely.
As, it goes without saying but I'll say it anyway, is Baby Z. Those smiles could melt anyone's heart!
It's always fun to watch your projects come together. This one reminds me of the quilt I had when I was a toddler. Don't have it any more but I loved it. I know the recipient of your quilt will love it too.
I'm overdue to write a thank you for the afghan idea you gave me. You knit a version of a Log Cabin quilt and I took that idea and knit one for my great-nephew. It turned out much better than I could ever have expected. Thank you for giving me the inspiration to try it.
I love the fabrics! I am started my Emily one ! Same pattern! Same book! I just love the book! Mine is using Hannah Montana fabrics. She just turned 6 and is crazy about Hannah Montana!! So, Pinks and purples are the fabric choice with the Hannah Montana logo fabric for the focus!!
Wow, the quilt looks fantastic. I love all the colours - especially in the middle of a grey winter.