Fishy Stash
Happy Monday, everyone! I hope you had a relaxing weekend with some fun sewing! Things were a little fishy around here, so let me show you what I worked on this weekend!
Last week, Nancy from Grace and Peace Quilting posted a picture of the mini quilt she made from a pattern in the current issue of Modern Patchwork magazine. When I saw her quilt, I knew I had to make one of my own. So I did. You saw a little peek of this on Friday, and many of you knew what I was up to. Here it is, all done.
Well, actually I made it for someone else, but more about that in a minute.
I chose to make only four fish rather than five. Why? Because I only had enough of the background fabric for four fish! It’s a fun low-volume polka dot, which I thought worked well. I also made the red fish and the bottom blue fish out of prints rather than solids. Again because it’s what I had in my stash. The bottom blue fish is actually made using the wrong side of the fabric. The right side was just a smidgen too dark, so I just flipped it over and used the wrong side, which was just right! Do you ever do that?
This was my first time using straight line quilting, and I really enjoyed it! I didn’t measure other than to add a few little marks to try to keep me somewhat straight. I wanted to make sure I stitched straight through the middle of the fish first, then I just kept adding lines around it. I didn’t get too worried if the lines bent a little. It was fun to use the red thread for the red fish and then switch to a light blue on the rest.
This is going to a sweet friend of mine. She and her husband are pastors to missionaries. They travel often, and this is a welcome home gift for her when she arrives home next week. She is one of my closest friends, and we have walked through much together. The symbol of the fish has much meaning to her. The colors in the quilt are not only colors in her home, but colors of her heritage. The red fish swimming the other way will have special meaning to her as well. I cannot wait to give this to her, although she will likely read this post and know it is coming her way.
This is a really fun quilt to make. Go grab a copy of Modern Patchwork and make one of your own!
I’m linking up today with Beth at Cooking Up Quilts and Em’s Scrapbag
See you Wednesday!
Wendy
13 Comments
shelteringhaven
Oh my!!! I am smiling from ear to ear! 🙂 Can’t wait to get home!!!
karenfae
out of all styles of machine quilting I like straight line or slightly wavy lines the best – being mainly a hand quilter maybe I can relate more to it as I mainly quilt in grids or straight lines around pieces – the fish is a nice piece
Nancy Bekedam
Great finish! Very thoughtful gift. It’s wonderful thing to have such a close friend.
Vicki in MN
Haha, so she is the first one to read and comment! It turned out great. And your straight lines look really straight to me.
lorieast2
Love it! What a sweet gift and so much lovely symbolism. Well done!!
Sandy Maxfield
What fun! Using the wrong side up doubles your fabric choices, clever.
catpatches
That is so cute! I’d love that for a little kitty quilt.
somethingrosemade14
I love this quilt and how you made it your own. Straight line quilting is the best. BTW, I was basting a quilt last night, and the thought running through my head, Wendy gave Fred the Boot, the boot. Say that fast.
Sandra Healy
What a gorgeous quilt and so full of meaning. I’m sure your friend will be delighted!
Needle and Foot
This is wonderful Wendy – full of meaning and uniquely your own – love the fish swimming upstream! And, no, I haven’t used the wrong side of the fabric (at least not intentionally!!) but what a great idea. Now, will I remember it when I am selecting fabric???
Beth @ Cooking Up Quilts
Yes, I use the wrong side of fabric! I love your fishy mini, and I’m sure your friend will love it as well. The background fabric is perfect, like little air bubbles in a fish pond!
Kathleen McCormick
Wendy, its terrific! What a lovely story and I’m sure your friend will be so touched. I really love this little quilte and your version of it. On my end, the packers come today and half-move tomorrow. The rest after the open house/sale! Going to ME early next week and then maybe I can sew a little.
Sparkle On with Abbie
I love this mini Wendy. The special thoughts in it make it so unique and special. ?