It's never too early to get started on Christmas presents, especially if they are going to take a long time to complete. These are extra special, as they have two different functions. First, they are couch quilts, with a silky, velour like backing. But more important, they are giant game boards! Each has a 'start' square, specific goals to achieve, miss a turn blocks, and a 'win' space. Many of the quilts have more than one game 'baked in', and those will go to the oldest of my receivers. Using simple balsa like shaped pieces, squares, circles and ovals, and a myriad of stickers and glued fabric imagery, I have created pieces to collect while playing each game. Using people shaped wood and different colored heart stickers, I have created individual players, who can be further decorated by the folks playing with them. The point of using wood and stickers is that they can be easily replaced when lost.
These are four tops I have now completed that I am making as Christmas gifts. There's lots of work still to do, making sandwiches, pinning/basting, and then top-stitching and binding. I think these will be very special when done. I also have 3 other throw tops sitting waiting to be completed. And some other projects, not necessarily quilts, to be made.
I created a kind of 'shell pattern' for these, as I knew what I wanted to achieve, and while very different, these are all very similar. There are sections that I can see, now that it's done to this point that I may have to rip out and start over with. Lots to think about, wonder if it's ok this way, or if I should rework it...
Want to know more, see the post in How I did it, with steps that I followed to create these quilts.
I have been busy, it seems like I am always busy. I made these three, 2 are tops only, the 3rd is a tropical weight or light quilt, with only a length of cotton muslin as the center. It's surprisingly a little harder to work with, as I find I expected it to be similar to the more full-bodied batting. There's so much less to hold on to!
They are all different, though similar in design and many of the fabrics included. I added frames (sashing and squares), but those are only to highlight the differences in these unique, individual pieces. The uncompleted pieces need to be pressed, but I do that when I am ready to build the sandwich and complete the project, which will be soon.
This one's finished and delivered
This is a top only, so far...
This is a top only, so far...
