Monday, June 14, 2010

Mom, can you make me a sword like my brother's?

My 10-year-old made this today--well, he made the handle and blade parts, and stuffed them, and I stuffed them some more and hand sewed them together. His brother just came upstairs and asked for one of his own. I'll have to get right on that.
I got this done last night, just in time--day camp started this morning! The colors are a bit off because (a) it was still slightly damp but I had to take the photo before I delivered it to Megan, and (b) it was starting to get dark. And I forgot to get a picture of the back. Partway through stitching the second "8" on, I remembered that my machine came with a knee lift bar, and I went and found it and attached it. It made it so much easier to get through all the pivoting required for sewing on the curvy numbers. The number seven is super easy to applique, by the way.

I love how it turned out--the slight fraying of the wave curve looks so cool, if I do say so myself! Wouldn't this design make a cool pool bag? Or picnic blanket? (Without the pack numbers, of course!)

And, guess what? I got the circle quilt top finished today too!
I used this piece of batting as my portable design wall--I was able to keep all the pieces in order once their placement was decided, and I just rolled it up when I wasn't working on it. It did make the pieces get a bit more wrinkled than they would have otherwise, but it was really helpful for this particular project.

Now I need to decide if I should piece the back or not. The back will be made from (mostly?) the large floral on a brown background that's in the very bottom right corner. I could do a simple pieced strip across the back, but I don't know if this quilt needs it or not. Maybe I'll start something new while I think about it.

14 comments:

KaHolly said...

Very, very clever applique on denim. I'm loving it! Can't wait to see the final product. Your circle quilt came out just beautiful! May just have to put one on the list of quilts to make next. ~karen

Tim said...

Wow Daniel,

This is a really cool sword, did you design it? We think it is fantastic.

Grandma and Grandpa Christensen

Angela Nash said...

I love those surf boards!

Patty said...

Love your circle quilt, the fabrics are great. I usually decide to piece the back only if I need more fabric to make it large enough. Otherwise I usually take the easy way out and use 1 piece.

Jessica said...

What a fantastic quilt top! The other projects turned out well also :)

Sandra said...

I love the flag. You are right. It would make a great beach bag. I'd be tempted to put it on screening though or the bag would stay wet a long time if made of full denim.

Krista said...

Dan,

I love your sword. You're so creative. I miss you--and everyone else too. See you soon

Greg said...

I really like the circle quilt. I guess I'm going through my curved phase but thats okay... The sword is way cool as well. Do I smell a pattern & tutorial in the future?

Ritapizza said...

Your circle quilt is gorgeous! I really love all the colors and fabrics! Your stuffed sword is pretty cool! And I love the denim wave flag!

tichat said...

Amazing!!! I'm not fond of quilting and patchwork at all ; but THIS is just amazing! Colours,forms,i do fall in love with it!!

Diane said...

Lov'n the flag! Thats awesome. I can not let me daughter see the sword or she will want me to make her one.

Nanette Merrill said...

What fun projects.

Crafty Mom said...

OMG!!! THIS IS SEW CUTE. I love the colors you went with... I might have to get on the ball this summer and sew me up a cute quilt

Elizabeth said...

Wow! Your circle quilt turned out so beautifully! And I love the scout flag! Nice job!