100-Acre Woods and a Bonus!!!

This is quilt #11 from the Sugarland Fall Festival.

100-Acre Woods

Some quilts have short stories behind them.  This 100-Acre Woods story is a little circuitous.

When Nancy asked me to make a quilt for an upcoming baby shower, I was excited.  She is my biggest fan and I looked forward to an opportunity to make something for her.

Nancy: The theme is Winnie the Pooh.  Are you familiar with Winnie the Pooh?
Since I did not grow up here in the US, this was a valid question.
Me: Somewhat. I can always look it up.
Nancy: I want the quilt to have those colors - muted red, yellow, blue etc.
Me: Let me research and see what I can find.

I wanted a child-friendly fun pattern in bright colors, inspired by Winnie-the-Pooh.
As I trolled the internet for ideas, I came across a fabric panel with Winnie-the-Pooh and friends too!!!

Winnie-the-Pooh Panel

and also this - Winnie-the-Pooh fabric!!!

Winnie-the Pooh Fabric

Yes, I could just use the panel and the backing and call it a day.  But first, I want to check with Nancy.
As soon as she saw the panel, she squealed in delight.

Nancy: That would be perfect for the nursery.
Me: Did you want this backing too.
Nancy: Not sure
Me: Might be too much of Winnie.
Nancy: Love the front, though.

I got the hint. I used the panel for Nancy's quilt and decided to save the backing for another Winnie-Inspired quilt.  Here are the pictures of Nancy's quilt - Winnie the Pooh.

Winnie

The leaves are so pretty!

The quilting is simple curvy lines, one direction only - simple and fast too. YAY!!!

Tigger

I chose a light blue/teal chevron print for the backing. It was for a boy.
The striped fabric for the binding just so beautifully brings it all together.

I am in LOVE with this binding

Labelled

and here is my reward - a beaming Nancy with the quilt.

Delivered!!!

Now, that I had a finished quilt, delivered and a very satisfied customer, it was time to tidy up the fabric mess that happens after every quilt. (You know that is true).

Oh, look at this beautiful Winnie the Pooh backing fabric.
Initially, I was going to make a quilt in these colors.
Well, I still can.
Let's do it.

So, I chose to make a Whirligig quilt in Winnie the Pooh colors.  I had made such a quilt  before and it was fun to revisit that pattern.

You are my sunshine!

Random charms miraculously came together to make this brightness

Whirligigs

More whirligigs

Quilted simply with a zig zag stitch going over the seams.

I chose a deep red for the binding and I love it :-)

Labelled

And here is the backing

Winnie-thePooh and friends too!

And one more picture showing the front and the back together



I know I am supposed to be a grown woman. But there is something about these quilts which evokes the child in me and makes me want to giggle with joy.

Is there a quilt or a quilt pattern that makes you feel like a child?  I'd love to hear from you.
As usual, I will be linking with my favorite link parties.

Whirlygig Tutorial

Whirlygig is a simple but beautiful block that is perfect for baby quilts.

I had several charm squares left over from previous quilts. I decided to make whirlygigs. I also decided to document each step and I took a lot of pictures, one for every step. I hope that when some newbie quilter stumbles upon my blog, they will be encouraged to try this block.

You need four charm squares (two of each color and background) to make one whirligig block. Think of it as a modified four-patch. the instructions below show you how to make two whirlygig blocks.

Here are the steps in making whirlygigs:

1. Take four background charm packs. I had white on hand. You can use any solid neutral.

Place the charm packs on your cutting mat aligning them with the lines on the cutting mat.

2. Place four color squares on top of the white squares.

3. Now place your ruler in a way that connects the 2" mark from top left corner to the 2" mark from the bottom right corner. Using your rotary cutter, cut along the ruler. I am using the triangle ruler because it is small and easier to work with than the 6 by 24.

4. Cut all four

5. Switch the pieces on the right side. Move the color to the bottom and bring the background to the front.

6. Now the white left is matched with color on the right and vice versa.

7. Flip the fabric pieces on the right over to the left, carefully aligning the cut edges.

8. Repeat for all color+background sets and arrange them in a neat stack, ready for chain piecing.

9. Chain piece :-)

10. Iron to the dark side.

11. The restitched squares will look like this. This is the basic block - 4 of these will make the whirlygig.

12. First arrange the top and bottom piece, just the corners touching.

13. Now add the pieces to the left and right, completing the pinwheel or whirlygig.

14. Once again, flip the right square over the one on the left. 

15. Chain piece :-)

16. Iron to the dark side. The resulting piece looks like this. Reorient the piece to make the whirlygig shape.

17. Place a pin to match the seams and stitch it using a 1/4" seam.

18. Once finished and ironed, you will need to trim the whirlygig square.  The finished square will be 8.5"

• To make 35 whirlygigs you will require 70 color and 70 background 5" squares.

• Arrange whirlygigs 5 blocks by 7 blocks. Add a 2.5" border.

• The finished quilt top will measure about 44" by 60"

See what I got after I trimmed all 35 of my whirlygig squares.

But I also got this

I used strips from a black jelly roll to add borders. I wanted a simple border so that the colors of the whirlygigs could be the star.

A close-up picture of the whirlygigs - they look like little pinwheels in the breeze.

Finished quilt top waiting for backing, batting, quilting and binding. Ooh, don't forget to add a label.

Here is the finished quilt. I decided to call this one - "Hello Spring" 

Hope the weather Gods will be pleased!!!

If you have any questions, please ask me. And thank you for stopping by.