Done...... NEXT!!

But not without more drama.....

More lessons learned - pins. More pins!! Even more pins!!

Even when you think you have enough pins, add more pins!

I decided to machine finish the binding, but clearly did not use enough pins. Looked fine from the font, but the back was a shambles. More unpicking, more pins.

After 3 perfect corners, one decided to fail, but I think I managed to hide it pretty well. Also decided that the quilt shall be a wall hanging, rather than a practical quilt. Apart from the fiasco with the colour bleed, then the fabric shrinking, adding the buttons and hair pretty much sealed the deal! Would definitely not be a comfy wrap around....

Oh, and here's a pic of the pattern from the magazine, jut to show the inspiration.

So, next on the agenda?? No idea, yet! Stay tuned....

The home stretch...

Given the fiasco with the shrinking of the borders, I knew quilting this would be a nightmare to quilt!

Not only did the border fabric shrink, it seems the off-white fabric did also. The quilt top got a bit baggy, so definitely not a show winner! Pity, though, cause this was such a fun and easy project.

The original pattern called for hair with a button in the centre, however once I had some hair on, it would have been way too bulky, so I used the button on the dress instead. So cute!! And the eyes were supposed to be French knots, but I used some white paint, for simplicity.

Also, the pattern called for stipple quilting on the dolly patches, but given the top was no longer flat, I thought a bit of echo quilting would be much more appropriate.

Just the binding to go, and she's all done!

Quilt top done.... Almost!

I'm all ready for backing and batting!

However.....

This is not the end! Each little person still needs eyes, hair and button. Instructions say to do this after quilting, but we'll see....

Heading out today to find some backing and batting, hoping to spend very little. So far, the only things I have bought for this is the off white base fabric and some visoflix, since I ran out halfway through! Amazing to think all that was already in my stash! Oh, but there is more.... Way more!!

As I was sewing, happened to glance up and saw a suspicious looking character. Want are you looking at?? LOL!!

Take 2...

So, I unpicked border 3, but decided against replacing border 1 as well. I think I can mask the faded bleach spot with some topstitching. I hope!! It was just far too risky, since border 2 was already done.

Will NEVER use fabric unwashed, or at least rinsed! Lesson learned!!

Experimenting with border 4 now. Nor sure whether to use the same red floral from the pieced blocks, or something else. May not get to this one till the weekend, but we'll have to see how it goes!

Power went out last night, major storms and some flooding around the south west, so woke up early and was able to prep the replacement of the borders before the sun was up. I'm surprised the Boy hasn't asked why the power spiked at 6am! Maybe it wasn't recording the usage.....

Anyhow, here's some pics. The one with the whole block shows the bleachy spots on the border. The legs also got a bit faded, but fixed that with a black fabric sharpie!! It was only the red part if that check that bled. Amazing! Plus a close up of border 2 with the hearts, leaves and vine.

Hopefully, it's a calm night ahead....

I learned an important lesson!

While preparing the second border for the appliqué vine, I discovered a secret - one of my fabrics was not prewashed and shrunk significantly! I had drawn the vine freehand with water dissolving pen, stitched it on the machine and lay it on the floor to get a good look. I was very happy with the curves and layout, so sprayed water on there to remove the blue and it instantly puckered up!

YIKES!!

Panic set in, but didn't think it was such a big issue, so ironed on the hearts a leaves and blanket stitched them before the Boy got out if bed. All done, I thought I might as well dunk the offending fabrics and hang them out in the line, so if I have to recut the border, it won't shrink again. No problem.

I also thought I better dunk the quilt top to shrink any other fabrics that may be distorted. No problem.

UNTIL.....

I went to retrieve the top off the line only to discover one of my appliqué fabrics had run!!

RED!! AAAARRRGGHHHH!!

Tried a spot remover - no joy. Tried some Napisan - nup. Bleach - risky, but worth a shot.

DO NOT USE BLEACH!!

Now, not only do I have red stain, I also have a faded patch on the closest binding to the block.

AAAARRRGHHHH!!!

I suppose I should be grateful that I can replace the block if necessary, and I have plenty of spare fabric to redo the border, but its gonna be a nightmare!

While I'm waiting to see if my block is saved, I will redo a new one, prepare for the worst, and shed a little tear while I unpick border number three.

Note to self - PREWASH EVERYTHING!!

The irony is, the particular fabric that bled was just a small piece from my scrap box, not big enough to warrant a proper wash.

I'm not happy about it, but I'm not going to throw it in the corner just yet.

Here is a pic of the layout before the disaster........