Week 8: Zakka 2.0 Sew-Along ~ DONE!!!~

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Oh my gosh! I just finished my first ever quilt. Yes, I said first.  I have been making quilt blocks for a few months now with my Craftsy class and RB Block of the Month, but this is the first time I have went beyond just blocks. I am just sitting here looking at my studio closet door right now. So proud of myself not just for completing this quilt, but for all that I have learned while doing it.

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This quilt is called the “Books-for-Baby Quilt”.  It is part of the Zakka 2.0 Sew-Along in which participants sew projects from the book: Patchwork, Please! by Ayumi Takahashi. This is week 8, but I did not participate in a few of the kids projects opting to start the quilt instead. And boy, let me tell you I am so glad I did this in steps and started ahead. Made a huge difference in the assembly and kept my stress level low!  My finished size is 48″x48″.  Each block has a book with pages and spin with a contrasting border.  I alternated spine on right side and spine on left side.  Also, because I am so green in this sewing area, I opted to use items directly from my scrap bins (Which is why some books look more like squares!) The only thing I had to purchase was the batting, which is Warm & Natural.

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Alum’s version did not have quilting along the borders.  I wanted my borders a bit more stable, so I just did a straight stitch around all four sides.  I also did the stitching around the books and book borders like she suggested. My backing fabric is a creamy Kona solid from my stash and the binding is a pale yellow.

So what did I learn about quilting from this week’s challenge? Too much to write on the blog in one day, but here are the top ones:

1.  I now understand AND can complete machine binding on a quilt.  (For those of you who know me, binding and me = enemies.)

2. I now understand what “Stitch-in-the-Ditch” means. Thank goodness!!

2. I now understand the importance of color and pattern selection in quilt designs.

4. I now have a fine appreciation for quilters spray-on adhesive and flat pins.

5. I now have a true love for my Janome DC2012. This girl stitched without complaint and made everything run super smooth and easy!

6. I now know that wonderful, well thought out directions are essential for quilting construction. Thanks AYUMI!!

Not included on this list but maybe saying it as a by-product of this challenge is my need to make an appointment with an eye doctor!  For  you experience quilters, does all this stitching make your eyes go wonky? Whew!

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While I don’t think my quilt has achieved wall-hanging status, I will use it in my studio on days I may be a bit chilly or early morning hockey practices with middle. I’m just so excited to have finished it and on time too!  I think I will turn off my machines for a bit before the gang gets home from bowling.  Thank you for all the nice e-mails and messages of encouragement this week. I can’t wait to head over to Flickr and see what everyone else has done with their blocks. ~Happy Sunday!~

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7 Comments

  1. Great job I love quilts.Do you think you could make me a 48 Quilt or a quilts that has all hearts.I would like to order one.Please let me know how much the cost would be..Thanks so much..I love it..

  2. Oh this little quilt is SUCH an accomplishment! Congrats on all you learned – it turned out darling!

    1. Thank you so much Debbie for all the encouragement! I did learn so much during this challenge 🙂

    1. Thank you Shirley! Your pillow is awesome. I never even thought to do a pillow, but the blocks and the grey contrast fabric you used looks really nice. I bet you could sell those too. Really unique and professional looking 🙂

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