cathedral quilt

Classified as a “patchwork” quilt meaning little pieces of fabric sewn together to create a large design.  Although the cathedral quilt looks amazingly complicated, it is a fairly simple process albeit time-consuming…

The doll quilt shown above requires a little less time commitment but remains satisfying upon completion.

Cathedral Windows is a block type pattern using reverse appliqué & large amounts of folded muslin.  The quilt features modular blocks of an interlocking circular design that frame small squares or diamonds of colorful light-weight cotton.  For great directions with pictures click here & here.

The concept can be used for pillows, table runners or decorative bedding as well.  A nice use for any scrap fabrics or dream up an original colorful design.

“It took me years and years of trial efforts to work out that there is absolutely no knitting triumph I can achieve that my husband will think is worth being woken up for.”  ~Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, At Knit’s End:  Meditations for Women Who Knit Too Much

mini quilt

Looking for an engaging, not too long-term but longer than an hour project?  How about a sweet, cheery quilt for a doll?  Inspired by a full-size pattern but made in miniature:

Find a dozen cutie pie fabrics for squares, a high quality cotton solid white/cream, & purchase extra of one fabric print for finishing edge, pillow & sheet.

Figure out the size of the quilt & work backwards to determine yardage.  Lots of excellent, published or web resources exist.  A favorite site:  Thimble Blossoms by Camille Roskelley

The machine quilting is a combo of straight & waves.

The perimeter binding was machine stitched onto front side of quilt, then folded over to the back & hand stitched.  The final touch was adding thin satin ribbon ties to the center of each square.

Small & interesting quilt projects might be the perfect beginning for budding quilters as well…

fowl play

Feather a doll’s nest with cute applique fleece blankets:

Similar to a previous post:  http://edit423.com/2011/10/07/monkey-biz/

Using coordinating & complimentary colors, shiny ric-rac, beads & rhinestone buttons for eyes.

Find a picture & use as a pattern by cutting out the different parts, or create your own bird, animal, design, etc..

Use iron-on adhesive to adhere bird parts & blanket, straight or machine stitches around the edges depending on the part.  The fleece blankets sport the perimeter knot pattern. 

Christmas is around the corner…maybe a surprise original will be under wraps?

monkey biz

Knotted edge fleece blankies for dolls – a simple project for kids, plus a wide range of creative options for all.

• cut fleece pieces to desired size
• apply appliques or decorations, use iron-on adhesive where possible 
• flower above:  flannel with blanket stitch & button middles
• monkey:  draw or find clip art, cut coordinating fabrics (ultra suede, button eyes, pink gingham cheeks), mixture of machine, blanket, straight & cross stitches (click pic for close-up view)
• snip edges 1.5 – 2 inches deep, 1/2 inch wide all around
• tie fringe in knots all around
• ask Gramma to sew matching pj’s