Spring Swap

For the latest meeting of the Ann Arbor Modern Quilt Guild, we were asked to bring a hand-made object that was inspired by our theme “Spring.”

I decided this was the final kick in the pants to tackle a project I’ve been wanting to try for well over a year.  Check out this pillow!  I think it’s so cute and awesome. I chatted up the creator and she said that it was based off of a pattern that she no longer had the information on, but gave me the all clear to try and duplicate the design.   So through some photoshop tomfoolery I created a little pattern…

Reversed the image and outlined the shapes… Cut out the shapes on a cardstock and use for pattern pieces.

From fusible interfacing, I made a little-smaller-than-actual-size cut-out of the complete bunny piece and attached it to the background fabric.  Then I placed all of my fabric pieces on the fusible bunny and ironed once everything was properly arranged.

Then I quilted!  I mostly did little blades of grass.  The bunny is hiding.

Then I covered the whole pillow-front with a layer of fine webbing.  I saw this on THIS mini quilt and LOVED the idea, as it not only adds a slightly shimmery dimension to the whole piece, it will also encourage the appliqued pieces to stay in place and avoid some fraying.

Then I placed my envelope closure fabric flaps in back, and sandwiched everything together with a binding.   It’s a little twee, a little frou-frou but I can’t help but love it.

Brenda from Pink Castle Fabrics got the pillow and I got these lovely bean-filled paper weights from Rossie.  I actually use them as stress-relief, squeezing them in my hands as I stare into space and also to (gently) lob at my misbehaving children and spouse.