Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Ants on my Quilt and other Things


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Let me introduce my scrap quilt. It's still a work in progress, but I should be finished in a couple of days. It's going to be a picnic quilt.

My DD has been wanting one for years. It has taken me a long time to get going on it because all I could think of was putting a quilt on the ground and spilling food on it. And then there were the bugs that would be crawling all over. So I came to terms with the ground issue by using fabric that was destined for the garbage. (Well, not really. I just can't throw any fabric out - not even a tiny scrap.) It was a lot of fun sewing the blocks. They really went together quickly. But I still had to get over the bug issue. I solved that by hand embroidering tiny ants onto the blocks. Here is a close-up of my ants. They do look kind of real, don't they? What's a picnic without ants?

Then I sandwiched and quilted each block and sewed them together using the quilt-as-you-go method. I have finished all the blocks and only have to sandwich and quilt a few more of them and then sew them all together. I want to have it done by Friday evening. Wishful thinking? I hope not! DD is going to the beach on Saturday.

I only made one hexagon flower this week. Here it is outside in my garden with my summer phlox. When the picnic quilt is finished I will spend some more time on the hexies.



Some people were wanting to see a close-up of my little crumb blocks. Here is one that will finish at 3 inches. I have been making these as I sewed the picnic log cabin blocks. They are 'starters' and 'enders', so that my machine doesn't get a chance to knot up the top thread when I start to sew something.


We are in for a thunder storm this afternoon. I hope that will cool things down a bit.




13 comments:

em's scrapbag said...

This is a wonderful picnic quilt. The ants are fabulous. The best kind to have at a picnic. Good luck with a Friday finish.

Barb said...

What a cute idea to put ants on it....just so fun!!

Jossie said...

I can understand what you feel while making this quilt. It is gorgeous and then being used for picnics, only the thought of it would make me feel eeks... The ants look so real. Are they big enough to scare the living bugs off?
Your flower is lovely. It fits so wel into your garden. Perfect colour.

the dutch purple rabbit said...

i love the ants.
it brings up tons of ideas.

nynke

Exuberantcolor/Wanda S Hanson said...

it's the time spent more than which fabric goes into a picnic quilt for me. I love the ants, perfect touch. I hope she enjoys it for many years.

quilary said...

I love your picnic quilt complete with it's own ant! That little hexagon is doing it's best to imitate the phlox too - it was hard to pick which was which!

Deanna said...

I would take that scrap quilt anywhere and be proud to do so. Your daughter is sure to feel the same.

dutchcomfort said...

I’m sure all the critters and bugs that qill join your daughter on a picnic will love the quilt! It}s gorgeous!

Love those ants you made!

Opal said...

i love the colors in the picnic quilt! so cheerful and full of life!

Vicki said...

I love the picnic quilt and the ants are a perfect touch. Great idea Hetty.

Quilter Kathy said...

Great scrap bag quilt! Love the special touch of the ants!
WHat a beautiful photograph of the hexagon flower with the matching real flowers!!

Oiyi said...

That is a lovely scrap quilt. Your scraps don't look like scraps at all. Your embroidery skills are amazing. Those ants are perfect!

Quiltpiecer said...

What a great scappy quilt! Love it! Wow, the ants are so perfect! Thanks for sharing!