cat-on-a-mac

I have 7 grandkids and challenged myself to make them all quilts for their Christmas presents this year. The older 5 are girls, ages 6-12, and the youngest 2 are boys, ages 3 and 4.

I just finished the 5th of the quilts for the girls, and couldn't wait to show you all the pictures. I'm planning to do flannel rag quilts for the boys, which I'll get started on now.

I decided to try lots of new things in making these quilts -- new to me, anyway. Learned a lot!

So, here are the 5 quilts, and what was new for me:

* string quilt in purples for 12 yr old -- I used drier sheets for the foundation; also tried "dwirling" for the quilting, and did a flanged binding
* wonky squares for 10 yr old -- the squares themselves were the learning experience. Lots of fun!
* orange quilt for 9 yr old -- my first attempt at applique; another flanged binding
* fish for 7 yr old -- I added some cording around the squares of fish; scrappy border and binding
* "gum drops" for 6 yr old -- I used high loft batting to try to make this one really puffy and soft

I used flannel backings for all 5 quilts. I wanted these to be really soft and cuddly. Also, I monogrammed their names in the quilts with glow in the dark thread. I'm not sure yet how well that really glows, but I figured they would get a kick out of it if it does.