Lots o' Quilts #5

This is the last in my quilting series... for now anyway, as I've got three more in the 'pipeline.'

I made this doggie-themed baby quilt for my very good friend from work. They knew they were having a boy, which is why I opted for the more masculine colors. Obviously, they are a puppy-friendly family. This was my first attempt at the Flying Geese pattern. This time I used cotton batting, which is far less fluffy than polyester and makes quilting much easier. I think it gives it a more "antique" feel. I stitched-in-the-ditch around the lattice (which is the same fabric as the background so it may be hard to see), the border, and around each of the 'geese.' It was by far the most machine quilting I have ever done. Also, this was my third attempt at machine binding, and I was pleased with the result. It's such a learning process! Again, burp cloths to match.

Lots o' Quilts #4

This quilt was for another very good friend of mine from college. I previously posted about being a bridesmaid in her wedding here. They've chosen not to find out the gender, so again, I tried to make it gender neutral. It's another Winning Hand pattern. I used polyester batting and binded it. Like the baseball themed one, I stitched-in-the-ditch around the lattice and border, but left the 'cards' alone. Again, burpers to match.

Lots o' Quilts #3

This baby quilt was made for one of my good friends in college. I didn't know if she was having a boy or girl when I made it, so I tried to make it gender neutral. Turns out, she's having a girl. Hopefully she won't be turned off by the frogs. If you look closely, you'll see they do have hearts on them!


This is a Double Irish Chain pattern. I used polyester batting and finished it with the turn method. I mostly hand-tied it, but did stitch-in-the-ditch around the borders. I made custom burp cloths with the froggy fabric.

Lots o' Quilts #2

This quilt was made for one of my Homegirls. Her husband is a huge baseball fan and since they knew they were having a boy, I went with it. It's the Winning Hand pattern and was my very FIRST attempt at actual machine quilting (stitching in the ditch). I used polyester fill batting, which I like because it's fluffier than cotton, but it made the quilting more challenging. This also means it was my first attempt at binding, which I also did with the machine (as opposed to doing it by hand). I definitely learned a lot with this quilt and hope that it didn't turn out too bad for my first attempt at these techniques!

Also, for the first time I decided to make custom burp-cloths. I can't take credit for the idea, I ripped it from a gift I received after Mr. P was born. It's pretty simple, but makes a plain white cloth diaper so much more attractive!

Lots o' Quilts #1

This spring has been the spring of baby quilt making! It's been an exciting time because tons of my friends have been or are pregnant. What that means for me is lots of time at the sewing machine. It's been awhile since I sat down at my sewing machine. It's been a lot of fun getting back into it. And I have to say that I'm kinda proud of myself because I actually made and attached labels to all of them (often a quilter's forever untied loose end, pun intended)!

So, I thought I'd do a series of postings about the quilts.

The first is a baby quilt I made for my good neighbor-friend. This was for her second child. I didn't know her as well when she had her first, so I didn't make her one then. It's the Trip Around the World pattern with polyester batting, finished with the turn method and hand-tied.

Zip It.

I get to work today, drop my bag and head to the ladies room. After I do my business, as I'm zipping up my pants the zipper pull just keeps going and comes clear off the zipper and my pants! So I'm left, standing in the stall, zipper pull in hand, with no way to close my fly. Thankfully, I make it back to my office without running into anyone. After 10 minutes of wrestling with my pants in my office (with the door closed of course), I manage to rig my zipper to stay closed. What an awesome way to start the day! I haven't figured out what's going to happen the next time I need to go to the bathroom...

On a lighter note, Mr. P said "happy" for the first time yesterday.
Cutest. Thing. Ever.

Splash, Splash

First, I can't believe my Mr. P is two years old! Time really does fly... But don't get me wrong, he IS acting like a 2 year old, that's for sure. Full of independence and attitude. I wonder where he gets that from?

In gearing up for the summer, I signed Mr. P and I up for swimming classes. We've completed 4 of 6 'Mommy and Me' classes. Overall I think it's going pretty well. Although, with each class he is less and less enthused with the dunking. He can't stand the feeling of water in his ears, which I guess is a pretty common thing. I'm trying to strike the right balance between pushing him a little bit so he learns it's ok, but not so much that he feels powerless and hates it. It's tough... In any case, he's doing great with learning to kick. He likes draping his arms over a styrofoam noodle and kick, kick, kicking to get his favorite toy in the pool. Of course, I'm always there to help support him, but he's really doing great!