Teddy Bear Trials

The Teddy Bear quilt turned out great, but it had a hard time getting there.  I started with research on the Internet because the pattern directions were so lame, so I planned two layers of fleece with one layer of flannel in between.  I had fun fussy cutting the fleece to include some animals.  I got all three layers cut.  Then each piece was quilted as needed before stitching together.  The animals were outline stitched.

Then....time to stitch it all together.  Four layers of fleece and two layers of flannel wouldn't even go under the presser foot!!   Sad lesson learned.  Back to the Internet for more research.  Back to the fabric store for more flannel.  Finally rip out the quilting to get rid of the back layer of fleece.  I trimmed around the quilted animals, leaving the back layer of fleece under them for a trapunto effect.

Pre-wash all flannel, which I had forgotten to do before.  That would have been a disaster because flannel is a dependable shrinker.

Then...cut all the pieces out of both lengths of flannel.  Now I had a sandwich of two layers of flannel and one layer of fleece.  Quilt the pieces as needed.  Success.  It went together well and quickly.  Even cutting the rag edges went quickly.  After washing and throwing it in the dryer it looked so cute.  I was happy.

Next time it will take me half the time to make the same pattern.  It is soft, textured and colorful on the front (fleece), but soft and quiet on the back (flannel).

Teddy Bear quilt, my grandson and his lovely wife.

I wish you a Safe and  Happy New Year.  I'll chat with you in 2019!

Merry, Merry

Just a note to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.  Below is my Christmas card this year.  It is a collage of several of my photos put together in Photoshop.

Enjoy your family and friends.  Stitch a few seams if you have time.  It is a joyous time of year.  I'll be back in January.