Fab Little Quilt Swap

A couple of weeks ago I think, I got a lovely invite over on flickr asking me to join a new private swap of mini quilts. The ladies sending that invite had fabulous wording that must have stroked the ego on a lot of us because it took about two seconds for my determination to limit my swaps to fly out the window. And I know I wasn’t alone. lol So I find myself in another swap, this time with a mini quilt.

I know that a lot of you are familiar with my mini quilts…I know many people started following my work after the first one “Where Bluebirds Fly”

Fab Little Quilt Swap

That was a fun but therapeutically emotional quilt for me to make. You can read about it HERE.

I followed that quilt up with a few other minis… but this one, “The Rescuers”, captured the hearts of a lot of people too.

Fab Little Quilt Swap

That one was based not on my own story, but on the also quite emotional story of my partner. You can read about that HERE.

So here I am…starting on my next mini. It’s always a little hard for me to come up with a new idea that is meaningful like these. I so want to do something really special for my partners. As you can tell, this style is quite different from my precision piecing that I do with my typical quilting. The art style of these is a refreshing albeit challenging change for me.

So I floundered for a bit, attempting to come up with an idea that would be meaningful for my partner and yet true to my style. I love whimsy! And that had to be included….at first I think I was being too artsy for me. Let’s face it…if I can’t fit some Heather Ross fabric into the quilt, it’s not going to make me happy. lol

So then I was quite excited after really researching my partner and then stumbling upon this post by Designer Sarah Jane to find my inspiration! Hop over there and read Sarah Jane’s post. It’s just lovely.

And so I began.

Fab Little Quilt Swap

She’s about 10″ tall or so and as sweet as can be. I put her together one evening and was already freaking out that I would mess her up…so I decided to just tackle the stitching that same night!

Fab Little Quilt Swap

I took my time. I changed my thread color a dozen times and I’m really happy with her! Don’t worry, she’ll have hands…I just haven’t figured out what she’s going to be holding. I don’t think I want to do a doll like the Sarah Jane print.

And then I started to think about all the things that would be in her dreams…and on her heart… and I started to create the rest of the quilt.

Fab Little Quilt Swap

I have that “heart” completed now with more special items and I’ve started to stitch them down. Oh at each step how I worry that I will mess up the whole thing! Worry wart! That’s what I am! I think other than the girl and her heart of dreams I’m just going to micro quilt the whole thing. And of course I’m worried that I won’t be able to do that well. So I’ll be doing some mini quilting practice soon!

I’ll probably wait to reveal her until she’s finished…but you might catch some more sneak peaks on flickr if I’m feeling worried and need some feedback.

My many thanks to Sarah Jane for her original illustration which inspired this little quilt. I think I now want to make a whole series of minis based on her illustrations! lol

31 thoughts on “Fab Little Quilt Swap”

  1. I've been following your flickr updates, and your progress on this project has been blowing my mind! This is an incredible work of art, and I can't wait to see it finished up!

  2. So I know I have said it on flickr but this is simply stunning!! I love it, love it, love it!!! Next time you are doing a mini swap I want in and I want to rig it so you are my partner 🙂 Love your amazing mini creations!!!

  3. Err, yeah, I can see why there would have been a stampede to your door to get you to join in this swap, and probably not a little swap mama bribery to get you too ;o)

    She's absolutely fabulous, can't wait to see the final result

  4. Your quilts are truly incredible. I remember when I first saw "Where Bluebirds Fly" and I had to keep go back to your website to look at it. Your story and your quilt are amazing. Then "The Rescuers" which made me smile when I saw it. And now you have outdone yourself with the latest quilt. The girl and her dream…..WOW!!! I don't often comment on blogs but you are amazing…sorry to repeat myself but you are!!!!

  5. Your work is so, SO special! I haven't yet read your stories that inspired your quilts, but I will just after I comment! 🙂 I have been going through a lot lately and so much is so very painful for me right now. And besides prayers, my children and husband, of course, it is my sewing that is helping me right now. I completely understand just how therapeutic it can be. I can't wait to see more!!

  6. I love how she's coming along! I think she should be hugging a book to her chest, in case you hadn't decided yet. 🙂

  7. omg, what a wonderfully beautiful story and thoughtful quilt! wow – I'm so inspired. I came to your blog from the curves class. I'm going to add your blog to my reader so I can keep up w/your projects and how they turn out – as well as all your other beautiful and inspiring projects.

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