Saturday, February 18, 2023

Project Quilting 14.4: A Novel Project

 


This week's Project Quilting challenge was to create a quilted piece that was inspired by a novel.
 Hmmm...that seems easy enough, especially when one is a retired teacher! 

My mind went all over the place.
Oh, the places we will go, says Dr. Suess!

As a young mother, one of my favorite books to read to my kids was
Can't You Sleep, Little Bear? by Martin Waddell


Then, in my final years of teaching middle school, my reading classes read
Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen


Both such memorable books!

So, I looked through my patterns and found one I had purchased from a very talented Ukranian maker named Sasha. When I purchased her designs, she was donating a portion of each sale to the Ukranian refugees and others in need. 
She is on Instagram as Sashas Quilts
and also has an Etsy shop under the same name. 


Paper piecing projects are not my favorite.
I ripped out so many stitches on this one and had to sew again correctly.
Not at all meant to be a fault of the designer...it's all me, the maker!
Sasha writes very specific instructions!




Mr. Bear's muzzle was one example of my mistakes.
I had to un-pick his muzzle (sounds better than picking his nose, doesn't it?)

His ears and eyes are not aligned perfectly either, 
but I think that just adds to his charm.


Lots of FMQ went into this furry guy. 
Circle-y loops all over his fur.
Woody knots on the brown background.
Organic wavy lines on the black border.
His muzzle and ears were untouched to make them pop!


Choosing the binding fabric is so hard!
The stripes won out...again.


He is a handsome guy, isn't he?
His portrait measures 12x12".
I added two pocket corners on the back so I can hang him on the wall. 
He will go in my husband's "den" which is decorated with bears. 

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