quilting

Spring Paws Finish

Spring Paws – if I’m going to call this little quilt that, I’d better get it done while it’s still spring, right? It sure feels like summer lately in Minnesota, with our temps being higher than normal. Schools are getting out, which means summer is almost here, so I’d better get this quilt done!

In one of my Sew Sampler boxes, I received a bundle of fabric called Dixie by Cluck Cluck Sew. Last May I started making bear paw blocks. You can read about that here and here, where I show the finished flimsy. And there it sat, a hidden little UFO, until now.

When I pulled it out this weekend, before I did anything else, I had to fix one block that positioned the wrong way. It was a quick fix.

Then I got to work quilting it, keeping the quilting simple.

Spring Paws Finish - A peek at the quilting on my Spring Paws quilt using fabric from Dixie by Cluck Cluck Sew, simple diagonal lines - piecefulthoughts.com

I simply stitched across the quilt diagonally, then echoed those angles. I chose a light pink 50 wt. thread from Aurifil (#2423) for the quilting.

Let’s Cut it, Shall We??

Yes, you read that right.

I took this coaster to use, because of the dots. I could place the center dot over the center of the quilt. The coaster is about 4″ in diameter.

Spring Paws Quilt - Getting ready to trace a circle around the center of the quilt - piecefulthoughts.com

I traced around that with a white chalk pencil, and cut.

Spring Paws - cutting the center circle of the quilt - piecefulthoughts.com

I’ll admit I took a deep breath before I began cutting.

When that it was done, it was time to plan the binding. I knew the center circle would need binding cut on the bias. Rather than make the entire binding on the bias, I just did a piece long enough to go around the circle. I wasn’t sure I’d have enough material to do a full bias binding.

Testing, Testing

Before I attached all the binding strips together, I did a little test run to be sure I had enough bias binding to get around the circle.

Spring Paws Finish - bias binding for the circle - piecefulthoughts.com

Isn’t that binding fabric fun? A quilty friend sent me that fabric along with enough of another fabric from the line for the backing. (You know who you are — and thank you from the bottom of my little quilty heart!)

So – phew – it works. Now I can attach the rest of the strips.

Spring Paws Finish - Time to put on the binding - piecefulthoughts.com

I started just below the circle and got the circle stitched on first. Then I could relax and sew the rest of the binding onto the quilt. While we watched a show, I stitched the binding to the back.

My plan for this quilt all along was to have a quilt I could put on our patio table when we’re enjoying a meal together. Here’s how it turned out.

Spring Paws Finish - a mini table topper for my patio table, using fabrics from the Dixie line by Cluck Cluck Sew - piecefulthoughts.com

Bonus! It’s reversible! Isn’t that fabric fun?!

Spring Paws Finish - Table Topper for my patio table using fabric from Dixie by Cluck Cluck Sew, a view of the back of the quilt (its reversible) - piecefulthoughts.com

The quilt is 32 inches square. I used a low loft Hobbs batting. At this point I haven’t added ties to the split. If I do, I’ll likely add some snaps. I’m going to see how this works for now.

Now, if the high temps would give us a break, we could have dinner here.

Spring Paws Finish - A table topper for my patio, ready and waiting for cooler weather so we can enjoy it - piecefulthoughts.com

I’m very happy with this little quilt. I can’t wait to enjoy it on a cool, summer evening!

What’s your favorite summer dinner on the patio? Let me know. I’m always looking for new ideas!

I’m linking up today with

Happy Stitching, friends!

Wendy

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