Stand still.

That's where I'm at right now with the quilt. I started hand quilting it a couple weeks ago. Oy! I'm NOT that skilled in the hand stitching department. I know, I know.. it takes practice. BUT.. I don't know if I'm willing to "practice" on this quilt. I just wasn't feeling very good about the quality of my stitches and how they would hold up over time. This IS a kids quilt. Kids are rough on things, Isaac is ROUGH on things. I don't think my hand quilting would withstand his destructive tendencies. So, I sighed, I groaned, I looked at my stitches and said to myself "Self, why don't we figure something else out before you go completely crazy...". So my fingers began typing away and soon discovered that my machine does in fact have an attachment to buy to help in the quilting department. A Walking Foot.  Now, I know Walking feet are not at all new, but I assumed that my cheapo machine wouldn't be able to work with a quilt. I still don't know if it will.. but the part is on it's way. I'll soon find out. And hopefully along with the Walking Foot's arrival my sighs and groans will fade away into oblivion.

My handy little friend that will soon land on my doorstep.

Isaac's reaction to his quilt is really great. I laid it out on the floor yesterday for him to see and he got excited and said "Wow!" over and over and danced on top of it. He's had similar reactions whenever he has gotten to peek at the fabric. I think he's into the bright colors! So am I! I should be onto the next stage of the quilt (the border) tomorrow. USPS tracking shows that the fabric is "out for delivery" at this very moment. I just have to work my way over to JoAnn's in the near future to purchase the batting! I don't think I'll be posting any more pictures until the quilt is actually DONE. But who knows, maybe I will.

 So today I whipped up a pair of shorts for Isaac out of an old t-shirt while I await the fabric. A little on the wonky side, but they'll work for playing outside. I'm not that good with knit fabric, it always gets a little bunched up and odd looking. Oh well!

All pieced... now back to cutting...

 More cutting you ask? Well.. yes. Welcome to the surprise twist! All my nine patch blocks that I have been piecing together are now cut in quarters. Now I am ready for the last stage of piecing before deciding on the colors for the border, binding and backing. I'm liking the new layout with all the blocks cut down!

Nine patch blocks pieced and ready to be sliced.

Sliced.

My blocks needed a bit of trimming to even up the sides.

Pretty pile cut and ready to be pieced again!

Working on the layout.

Piecing, piecing.. and more piecing..

Can't say this is the most fun part, but, I get into a rhythm with it and it goes pretty quick. Tedious but slowly making progress and still excited to see the finished product.

These newly pieced rows will soon be sewn into blocks. Before I can sew them though I have to iron each seam. In the end I get a nice flat pile of fabric beauty.

Pondering..

Now to start piecing!After putting all my squares together I measured and realized I'm going to come out short on size. I'll have to remedy this with a border. First things first though! And, stay tuned.. once the piecing is done there will be a surprise twist!

288

5" Squares.

The stage is set..

Here we go! Aren't these Batik's just brilliant? I think they'll make a beautiful quilt for my boy.. if the picture in my head comes true!