Done! Finally!

Well, here is the finished product.
















Its taken a while, and I have one word... ok, maybe two, or three words about flannel...

1. Stretchy
2. Stretchy
3. and Stretchy

I'm not sure exactly how to combat this, except for be careful and don't over work it. I learned a lot from this project, and almost promised myself that I would never do another one, but I've learned my lesson about never saying never.

















This is, of course, the back. I kinda wish it was a bit more interesting, but my quilt teacher, Janelle, talked me out of complicated. Good for her. Each time the quilting didn't work, or it bunched up the fabric, I would have to "unsew" it, and each time I unsewed it, the fabric would stretch a bit more. So I think the less work I had to put into it, the better.

You can also see the quilting here.

I finished it off with satin binding, and mitered corners. I really need to learn exactly how to do those. As I was sitting here finishing up the binding, I realized how warm and wonderful this quilt felt, and I thought about how it looks... even though some spots embarrass me, the warmth and feel of the fabric more than make up for the little things, and as a whole, it doesn't look so bad either.

The borders are on!

Here is the fun little quilt I've been working on with the borders attachedAnd now its all pinned together to begin the quilting process.I realized that trying to put three layers of quilt together by myself, while being picky as, is not the easiest thing in the world. It took me about 3 hours to get it to this point. Next time I'll ask for help! The back has three panels, the yellow with the hearts in the middle, then the green with the safety pins on either side... I can't possibly make things easy on myself! That's why I had so much trouble pinning it together. All the seams on the front AND back had to match up so when I go to quilt it it won't look wonky. Janelle suggested that next time I decide to make the back as complicated as the front, I should probably plan it a little better! yeah yeah... I told her to just expect me to do things the hard way from now on, that way neither of us will be surprised!

This will be my next project, and I'll probably use lots of rich dark greens, browns and blacks, its going to be gorgeous! However, I'll probably go light on the back for this one since the front is going to be really complicated. I'm actually looking forward to it. Perhaps its just being hopeful!

Ok, couldn't wait any longer!

I still didn't get a phone call from the sewing machine guy today. When I called him last Friday he said the machine he told me about may have electrical problems and that he'd call me on Monday to let me know the status. Its now 10:30pm... I don't think he's going to call today...

I couldn't stand the thought that I've got some of the most yummy baby flannel just sitting there begging me to run my hands over it, trim it down and make it into something that everyone is going to want to touch. I have never felt flannel like this. Brooke's baby is going to love it!

Here are some pictures of what I've chosen after its been ironed and squared up. I just need to start cutting the squares. I've decided that since this needs to be done before mid February, I'm just going to start it with my Singer and see what happens.

Well, its clear to me that PhotoShop and I are not cooperating with each other. This was supposed to be an upright picture, but its the only one I have with the pattern in the background. I'm changing the border a bit. There's going to be a 2" then a 5" border before the binding goes on. You can also find the pattern on Janelle's site. Since we obviously don't know what it is yet, only thats its a single baby (not twins), and that its expanding Brookes waistline, I've decided the safe colours are green and yellow.

Here's a better picture, you don't have to turn your head to look at this one.

After looking at Janelle's site, I discovered that the pattern I'm following is just a bit different than the one she has advertised at the link I've sent you to. But that's ok, have a browse around, she's got some beautiful stuff... I dare you ;-)