Bulldozer Pillow

My son is my biggest cheerleader when making things.  He's so complimentary and he always wants us to keep whatever project I'm making.  I think he really understands the work that it takes to make something, which is nice considering he just turned five.  I wanted to make him something special for his birthday and I had gotten a copy of The Paper Pieced Home by Penny Layman, which had the perfect block for my construction loving son...a bulldozer.

I like the results of paper piecing but I have to admit that the fabric waste and the whole reverse aspect of it is incredibly challenging for me.  But if you want to make a specific object it's paper piecing all the way, you can't argue with the results!

I used this tutorial from Vicky for adding a zipper at the bottom.  It's just the same as making a pouch with zipper tabs.  I like how it came out, and I didn't have to use extra fabric to make an envelope back.  You can't add binding when you do this, but you could add piping around the other three sides. This worked well for this pillow because I like the clean lines of it with this essex linen fabric. Another great example of this type of pillow construction is by Sophie at Luna Lovequilts.

Linking up with Amanda at Crazy Mom Quilts.

Happy 5th Birthday - Love Mom!

2016 Finish-A-Long Quarter 1

I'm not a big fan of resolutions, but I like the low risk opportunity to set some penalty free goals, so I'm joining the 2016 Finish-A-Long.  Here's my hopeful list for Quarter 1!

Interlock King Size Quilt using this pattern  by Amy Friend and Persimmon fabric by Basic Grey for Moda.



Mini quilts, at least one,  maybe two or three.  I completed one over the Christmas break, but I'd like to make a few more.  Right now I'll aim for one from the Cluck Cluck Sew booklet and one of the Off The Rail.  I have a stack of Anna Maria Horner prints from a few lines, and some Carolyn Friedlander that I'll be using for these.



And lastly, I'd like to finish one of my four quilt tops from 2015.  This requires getting more comfortable with my own machine quilting skills and being more confident in deciding how to quilt them.






















Linking up with Debbie at A Quilter's Table for the Q1 FAL.