A baker’s dozen

Back in January, I set myself a goal for 2015 of making humidicrib quilts, tiny quilts to donate to the local neonatal hospital to brighten the incubators of premature babies. I wanted to make at least half a dozen, but I hoped to make one each month for a target of a full dozen. I seem to be on track to make not only a dozen but a baker’s dozen.

Many of the patterns I have used have been from the Fat Quarter Shop’s Snapshots quilt-along, including two of my last three humidicrib quilts for the year.

This ‘Sail Away’ pattern is very simple and easy to make. I think repeating lots of these blocks would make a quick and easy quilt, great for children or for any sailors in your life.

I pulled all of the nautical prints out of my stash (who knew I had so many nautical prints?) before choosing the print that features in the sail, a recent acquisition from a Hawthorne Threads scrap pack. (I love scrap packs!) I then pulled out other prints in those colours.

I love the print in the left sail. I hope to use it as the binding too. I think I have just enough.

To bring the block up to the required humidicrib size, I added some aqua chevron sea. That did not look quite right – it was too large an area – so I took a rotary cutter to it and inserted the spot print. Much better.

Next, I tackled the ‘Gone Surfin’ car. It was a bit more complicated than the sailboat but lots of fun.

I know the childhood rhyme says that blue and green should never be seen, but I like the colour combination. So there.

Flowers in car windows are a bit random (when it is not a hearse), but the colours in that print helped tie the others together.

And finally, even though I had reached my target, I had to buy the ‘Dog Gone Cute’ pattern from Sew Fresh Quilts and make that too because it is just … well … too doggone cute!

I call this top Spot the Dog. Does anyone else remember those books? I hardly ever use solid fabrics; spots are my go-to basics.

I chose a dark background because was inspired by Ruth’s dark blue background and because I had leftover navy fabric from the sashing of my Union Jack quilt.

Even the tone-on-tone white has a faint spot. Only the checked noses and eyes break the spotty pattern.

This pattern is adorable, but it needs a bit of concentration as each block has lots of pieces and you can choose many ways to colour the dogs’ faces. The blocks can be made in the small 6 × 9 inch size as I did, or a larger 12 × 18 inch, which would be perfect for a cushion.

The obvious observation is that these quilts are far from finished, and so I cannot boast about completing my 2015 goal just yet. However, if I make the all the tops this month, I can quilt and bind them next month. It is all part of my brilliant and clever plan!

Sadly, my clever plan has not yet figured out how to quilt the Spot the Dog quilt. I have to use a white or pale neutral fabric on the back of these quilts so that they do not cast nasty reflections on the babies. I already know that I will use the same paw design that I used on my earlier puppy humidicrib, but what colour thread will work on a navy front and a white back? I think it might have to be white thread.

Now that we approach the end of the year, how are you faring with your 2015 sewing goals?