A Different Birthday Quilt

My grandson celebrated his third birthday this week. What memories! Babies need quilts, right? So I spent time during my daughter-in-law's pregnancy making baby gifts. One of them was a quilt made of Laurel Burch fabrics. (Little did I know that nowadays babies don't sleep under quilts or with any bedding. Too dangerous. Who would have known?)

This year I decided it was time to make use of some of the scraps. The featured speaker at the Tucson Quilters Guild was Bethany Reynolds. While she is best known as the originator of the Stack-n-Whack® method, my eye was caught by her pattern for a rucksack pattern. The smallest was preschool; ideal for Lukas.

The pattern is well-done, with a pocket on the inside (adult size) and three pockets on the outside. I made several modifications. Rather than cutting the lining in one piece, I cut it from two and then joined the two sections. Rather than making the flap close with a button and buttonhole, I used Velcro. Easier for little fingers.

I'm now thinking about making the adult size for me. Just have to decide on the fabric to use!

Bethany Reynolds website is http://www.bethanyreynolds.com/ She teaches at QuiltUniversity.com. While I have taken many courses there, I've missed taking one from her. After hearing her speak at the Guild I'm sure she's a great teacher.

Spring Cleaning

After several years of heavy use (and of Sargeant and Miz Paws using it as their favorite snoozing spot) it was time to replace the canvas top of my cutting and pressing center.

Rather than the heavy canvas I had used on my original cover, I chose to use a heavier cotton that has a sewing theme. I removed the staples and tossed the canvas. The Insul-Brite padding looked like new. No need to replace.

A few minutes with the staple gun and I had my new cover! I'm not sure it will hold up as well as the canvas but it's a nice change.

I've also learned that when I am fusing to put a piece of muslin on the surface. "Oops!" happen no matter how careful one is with fusing and the muslin saves the cover and saves time.

Now it's time to start on spring cleaning the stash that overfloweth!