Well there was this, a checkerboard of leftover scraps from another quilt.
And yet more scraps came to light.
And my friend Suzy saw the checkerboard and said 'Why don't you make a doll quilt?' And that's all it took.
Once it was in one piece I found a remnant for the backing, and a scrap of cotton batting Exactly the right size, and basted it ready for hand quilting. I have been jealous of all those other bloggers, like Mary and Tonya, making small hand-quilted quilts. So now I have one of my own to stitch on while I watch The US Open each night.
Even the fact that I emptied three bobbins of scrap thread piecing it, and the dregs of two reels of thread basting it, pleases me inordinately. What a scrappy project from start to finish. I even have a partial reel of quilting thread to use up on it.
I am trying so hard to not obsess over whether it's perfectly pieced and the colours are balanced and the edges straight. I really want this to look like someone cobbled it together for her child, in between chores. Well I did it between chores, but it's for Me.
The blue bit just demanded to be there, and while my sensible side wailed 'But it's a pink and brown quilt!' some other voice said 'Just use it.' I do remember making patchwork for my daughter's dolls, sewing bits together on the machine while she stood next to me and ordered 'Put that there. Not there! I want it like this...' Not only was my real child bossy and opinionated, it seems my inner child is too.
12 comments:
I like the totally scrappy random look. Why is it so satisfying to use up the little bit left on a spool of thread for basting or sewing up a scrap quilt?
I really, really like it. And if you're very unhappy with the blue when you're done, well then, it can come on over and live on my wall. I won't mind a bit.
its good to stretch gently... its a beautiful project
I love it! I especially like the blue which stops it from being too dull and co-ordinated. Oh, I want to make something liddle and pretty now...
It looks so cute and I love the blue, it's unexpected.
I kept telling myself when I was making mine that since doll quilts were traditionally made by children learning to quilt mine would look authentic. My hand quilting was really rusty but in the end I was so proud of how the quilt turned out.
I can't wait to make another one.
It's marvelous. I'm glad you included that touch of blue, it adds some unpredictability. glad you're inner child is bossy.
It's great! I'm with you on the satisfaction of using up leftovers, including the thread. yesterday I was sewing with some thread that had very little left on the spool. When it ran out I had about 6 inches of bobbin thread left. Perfect! Now how do I get that to happen again?
What a beautiful little quilt. A great way to use up blocks and strips and thread.
We all need to pander to our inner child now & then! I love that little quilt... I have just the doll who needs it!lol.
Hi!
I just love the latest quilt as I do all of your quilts. I hope you don't mind but I have started a quilt after seeing one of yours It is the one from your 28 of March entry. I really liked it and couldn't get it out of my head. I am making it in blue's for my brother.
Barbara
Oh, I LOVE the doll quilt, it is so darling.
Wounded wing checking in - finally able to catch up on my blog reading since I can't sew. As usual you and your sister have been busy doing wonderful things. The doll quilt craze certainly has hit blogland - and no wonder. All these little quilts are truly amazing. What wonderful creations are lurking inside a drawer of scraps. A sculptor may say "the stone told me what it was to be and I just chipped away the parts that weren't supposed to be there." A quilter can say "the scraps in that drawer told me what they wanted to be as I sewed them together. All I did was listen to what they told me". And you listened well - it's a lovely little quilt.
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