Under the Sea...

I'm excited to report that I've finished another quilt!  This latest one also happens to be my very first Schnibbles quilt.  I've been wanting to make one for a while, but it always seemed like other things had precedence.  The pattern for this one is called Cindy Lou Who.

"Under the Sea" Schnibbles Quilt

Although this was my first, it won't be my last.  I have several other Schnibbles patterns that I look forward to making.  I found Carrie Nelson's instructions to be clear and easy to understand.  These patterns are also Charm Pack friendly quilts.  I used 2 Charm Packs of Odyssea by MoMo along with some Kona White to make the center of this quilt.  In fact, I had enough charm squares left over to make a label and a little pouch bag...

"Under the Sea" Label

Storage Pouch made with leftover charm squares

I spray basted this quilt with a (new to me) temporary basting spray that I got from JoAnn's.  (Sorry, but I can't recall the name.)  It's only supposed to hold for 2-5 days before disappearing, but I found that it wasn't quite strong enough.  While doing some straight stitching, the fabric shifted in a couple of places and I had to take it out and re-do it.  Live and learn though!  From now on I'll stick with my 505 Spray for such tasks.  I also used my trusty painter's tape to mark straight lines...

Marking quilting lines with painter's tape

Because the fabric has a nautical theme, I used my embroidery machine to quilt anchors and such on it.  I ended up re-hooping the quilt 34 times to get all the embroidery on it, but I think it really fits with the fabrics...

Hooping the quilt for embroidery

Embroidering in the border

Quilting from the backside

I'm estimating that it took me twice as long to quilt this as it did to piece it, but now that it's done, I think it was worth it.  That's usually the case for me.  I generally enjoy piecing more than quilting, but I'm always happy when I put forth the effort to really finish a quilt.

Closeup of the quilting

Another closeup of the quilting

So, here are the stats for this quilt:

• Size: 32" square
• Fabrics: 2 Charm Packs of Odyssea, Kona Cotton White, Batiks from my stash for the border, backing and binding
• Batting: Warm &White
• Thread: Aurifil (piecing and quilting), Invisible Thread for some quilting
• Pattern: Cindy Lou Who by Carrie Nelson
• Quilting: Stitched in the ditch, cross-hatching and embroidery (34 times)
• Started: October 11, 2011
• Completed: October 27, 2011
• Recipient: Nicki Lee from The Twelve of Us

I'm glad to have finished this little quilt and am really pleased with how it turned out.  It's fun to work on a project that doesn't take a tremendous amount of time and is quick to put together.  Now back to working on that king-size quilt!  (Also fun, but a bit more time consuming!)

I managed to take this rare picture of Gabriel and David napping together.  Aren't they adorable?

Gabriel and David - napping in the sun

Until later...

A generous man will prosper and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.  

Proverbs 11:25 (NIV)