Six weeks of the winter blahs — compounded by some kinda stressful personal stuff — has meant that I’ve had a hard time getting motivated to do much of anything. Including sewing. That seems to be changing and I’ve spent more time sewing in the past few days than I probably have since right before Christmas.
Among my favorite new projects is this sweet Andalucia blanket. It’s from a pattern by Seams & Dreams, the Sleep-Away Quilt. I’ve been itching to sew with Patty’s new line of fabric for Michael Miller (Sarah just got in the whole line!), so when Miss L latched onto it, I knew it’d be a great choice for the pattern.
The pattern isn’t particularly complicated and I finished the whole thing in about a day (spread out over two). I really haven’t done any actual quilting, so I opted to hand-tie this one instead of experimenting. I like the effect and definitely the speed of hand tying. The binding was easier than I expected, although it made my hand cramp up to stitch it down on the back side. I’m planning to make more of these for gifts and I think future ones will just be done blanket style instead of bound for expediency.
It’s a pretty gender-neutral style, so it’s going to be easy to change it up with fabric and make one more suited for the boys in my life. I think it’d look super cute with the new Robots fabric by David Walker. (Hmmmmm. One more to add to my project list! LOL!)
The pockets are stitched on after the blanket is done, so the stitching shows through on the right side. I thought it would bother me more than it does, but you may not feel the same way. I think the finished product is super cute and it’s definitely a hit with the little miss, who insists on using it constantly.
It did bug me a little that the binding instructions weren’t included with the pattern. Instead, it refers to the Seams & Dreams website for directions on how to attach the binding. A minor annoyance but when I’ve dropped $10 on a pattern I kind of expect everything I need to be included and accessible at my sewing table. It’s a very minor complaint, though, and I’m overall quite happy with the purchase and the final product.
20 January, 10:25 am
LOVELY, Mary! Miss L looks quite happy and comfy on it.
I need to give this quilting thing a try one of these days. I’m considering taking a basic quilting class at the local quilt shop just to get the hang of it… ya know, learn the correct lingo, etc. So, the blanket folds up onto a carry bag? Cool! Perfect for sleepovers! 
patty
pattys last blog post..
20 January, 10:27 am
No wonder she loves it…its awesome. That fabric is great!!
I really need to find some good fabric sources as we have ONE fabric store in our little town. Actually what I need to do is get my mom down here and plan a day trip to Dallas and hit the fabric warehouses downtown.
I finished my first bag! I dont like it. I didn’t think it was going to be big enough to hold all my books so I made it a little bigger…and its too big. I’ll make another with the pattern measurements and I think it will be great.
Autumnesfs last blog post..Tagged: 4th folder, 4th picture post
20 January, 12:32 pm
This blanket is so cute….I love how it folds up! You did a great job!
Stephanies last blog post..New Outfit for Spring
20 January, 1:53 pm
It looks gorgeous, no wonder she loves it. Fantastic how it folds up too
20 January, 8:25 pm
That blanket is great! I love the fabrics and colours you have used too. Your daughter is a cutie-pie too, she looks like a little angel with her hair.
Ylanas last blog post..Kris Kringle adventures
20 January, 10:52 pm
Very Awesome!
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21 January, 12:04 am
It’s very cute…but I must say that I was intrigued by the mention of a robot fabric…
sadiras last blog post..The Vulture Mine…
21 January, 12:55 am
Looks lovely!
Fionas last blog post..More running, more sewing
21 January, 3:07 am
Wow, Mary, this is stunning! Love all the colors and the pattern is so simply yet highly effective
And love that she can carry it around! What an awesome blanket!
21 January, 5:40 pm
I’m going to have to get this patter. It sound like it would be a winner for my boys!
Tiff@Three Peass last blog post..Wordless Wednesday: Then and Now
22 January, 11:55 am
I love that fabric too and the final product is absolutely adoreable.
I think the boys version in the robots fabric would be AMAZING… love that fabric, too!
Jessica Cs last blog post..Itty Bitty
22 January, 1:54 pm
Cute quilt! And those fabrics are so perfect for a cute quilt! Love that it has it’s own carry pocket thingy!
23 January, 7:43 pm
Her smile says it all!! Perfect!
Sheree
sherees last blog post..December 2008 in Review
25 January, 6:16 pm
Can little Miss L get any cuter?? And I must admit–I have some serious blanket envy–how luscious!!
Heathers last blog post..Cuz I’m all about the booty, I mean… Bounty!
26 January, 1:52 pm
I love that quilted mat! Beautiful work!
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