4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Fizzle Knit]

Have started making this quilt for my Aussie Great Niece who was born 4 weeks ago today. She was actually due in August but is holding her own - all our fingers and toes are crossed for her.

 

 

http://www.patchesandpots.co.uk/

 

 

This is the link, although I found the pattern in a Popular Patchwork pattern I bought a few months ago after I decided I wanted to give patchwork a try. I'm not doing chicks however - I'm altering them slightly to look like ducks on a pond, and the contrasting squares and border will (in my mind anyway!) represent lily pads and the edge of the pond, in green.

 

Have loved using my new rotary cutter and mat, and am now appliqueing the ducks.

[Snowy]

Well done, that is a lovely quilt for a little one!

[Plum]

That's cute, look forward to seeing how you get on.

[TAJ]

Well done - I am sure you will finish before me!

 

Tracy

[Valkyrie]

You'll be hooked! Lovely pattern and looking forward to the finished piccies.

[Fizzle Knit]

Well at long last I finished the top piece but I am now terrified of putting the layers together and quilting because I'm scared I'm going to ruin it!

Someone please tell me it will be OK! What's easiest, quilting in the ditch or not?

I'm hoping to finish it this week so I can get it to my UK nephew in time for him to pack to take to Aussie nephew when he goes there in December

[Snowy]

Quilting in the ditch is not as esy as it looks! You do have to be very accurate. However you can quilt 1/4" from seams, then if you wobble it's not noticeable!

[Valkyrie]

You'll be fine - I think if you went to a show, you would see that even experts aren't exactly perfect (unless it's all done by computerised longarm machines). Imperfections give character too. Quilting in the ditch can be difficult when you are going over seams - especially the star centres or where a few sides meet up. Just go slower over those, and if the patchwork isn't exactly aligned, stop and follow the seam rather than continue across - it will blend in better. Mine are still far from perfect - don't worry. A true artist is never happy with the end product.

Looking forward to the end piccies!

[craftyhunnypie]

Remember you can't give a quilt until baby is 1 year old. Just a caution for you, but you are probably well aware already.

 

Emma.x

[Plum]

Well done, look forward to seeing it. Think Snowy is right about quilting 1/4 inch from shapes. Are you going to do it by hand or machine?

 

What do you mean by a year old Emma?

[Snowy]

Do you mean a duvet Emma? i know the current advice is to use sheets and blankets until baby is 1, then a duvet can be used. More layers so better temperature control is the theory. I'm assuming this type of quilt will be another blanket type layer.

[Plum]

Mine get played on I don't think they are slept under. I never know the proper size So don't suppose it matters in that way

[Fizzle Knit]

Many thanks for your replies everyone

Unfortunately CraftyHP, at the rate I'm going the baby won't be receiving this until her first birthday anyway! I pinned the layers together last night and had a go at quilting - however, as I don't have the special foot for my machine it didn't work properly, I made quite a dog's dinner of it

Am now considering 3 choices - 1)gluing (!) the layers together (this was suggested by a patchworker at the Kniiting & Stitching show, I've tried it on a sample piece and it certainly makes a difference in terms of machine quilting); 2)hand quilting (very slow) and 3)buying a brand-new shiny all singing all dancing all quilting machine Have suggested this could be my combined Xmas/b'day pressie from OH

Either way can't wait to get it done and see the finsihed product AND get started on another project.

[Mrs Webmuppet]

I have yet to try actually quilting but the instructor on my course suggested using basting spray ( a kind of fabric glue) to stick it all together before quilting .

 

I was also told I need a sewing machine with a 'walking foot' so I too will be saving up for a new sewing machine next year ( I only have a mini sewing machine which LMW wants when I have a new machine).

[bigmommasally]

I've just quilted my first quilt and used the basting spray. I found I still needed to tack the 3 layers together before quilting but the spray did help keep it all together so would recommend using it.

You def need the walking foot and I've been advised that you need to start the quilting in the middle and work outwards, can't remember why but I did it anyway

 

Do you really need a new machine - can you not get the walking foot for the machine you have?