Aussie Animals Quilt Finished

There's nothing more satisfying than finishing a quilt, and when you can hand sew down binding during a two-hour car ride, it feels even more productive.

I was able to do that Saturday when DH and I went to the first home football game of the season at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls.

Football isn't really my thing, but watching Panther games is more than tolerable because we do that indoors, in the UNI-dome. No matter how the fall or winter winds blow, or whether it's overcast or sunny, or even if it's 10 degrees (-12 C), in the dome it's a comfortable 72 degrees (22 C).

And when the Panthers win, as they did on Saturday, trouncing South Dakota by a score of 66 to 7, it's especially nice.

Aussie Animals finished at 44" X 49". And Baby Bub, our first grandson for whom this is intended, is due to appear in 17 days!

Friday Flaunt - Baby-Bub's Quilt

This Nana went a little overboard on the backing for Baby-Bub's Aussie Animal quilt. I found these neat baby-related words printed on fabric at a recent visit to Block Party Studios. The colors coordinated so nicely with the quilt top, that I had to include the word blocks in the quilt back.

I didn't want a precise row/column layout, so on graph paper I drew a staggered layout that I followed for cutting and piecing. It was somewhat of a challenge to cut because the fabric is a directional print, and piecing involved some set-in seams. But I'm pleased with the result.

The words and sayings will grow with the baby. Maybe into his teen years!

After sandwiching the quilt, on a beautiful morning this week, I moved my sewing table and machine onto the back deck for a couple hours of free-motion quilting. The sunny day made it easy to clearly see the stitches.

I like how quilting around each animal makes the animal's profile appear on the quilt back.

More quilting to come.

Check out Cinzia's blog to see the list of 16 quilters participating in "Friday Flaunt."