this started the year as a [b]Work[b] [b]In[b] [b]P[b]rogress.

It's done and in the wash. :P

very nice!!

i forgot to mention ...

i backed this one using fleece from WalMart. the first time i backed a cotton top with fleece, i didn't put anything in between. it went well enough, but i got a bit more stretch and pucker on the top than i had hoped.

this time, i put a layer of thin cotton batting in between. the cotton top stuck nicely to the batting and the batting stuck nicely to the fleece. i didn't need to spray-baste. i was able to get by with just pins.

i assume cotton flannel would work just as well as batting. i just don't happen to have any.

Very vibrant and lively :!: :-P :!:

very nice!

I really like how you have quilted it.
Actually, I really like everything about it.

Love the quilt - especially the colors. I've done cross hatching on several quilts but never thought to use a zigzag stitch :roll: It adds interest for sure - gonna have to try that next time. Thanks for sharing.

That looks really great! Just wondering how big is the quilt and how big (small) are those little nine patches. I just notices that you live near Savannah. I have a cousin there who is a quilter.

Hi patrice,
I am wondering something, why did you want to back it with the fleece? As an experiment? I know that the fleece is cozy for a tv or child's quilt, but this one is so pretty, and there is obviously tons of work you put into it.

That's a great way to use some of the fancier stitches on some of our computerized machines.

That is my kind of quilt. I love it. Thanks for showing the stitch. I never think about using the decorative stitches on my machine and that one works great with the pattern and quilting.

it's approximately 45" square. i had originally planned to back it with a specific piece of different cotton fabric. it wasn't wide enough and i didn't feel like piecing it. i've had the fleece around for a while. i didn't have to piece the back and i freed up the drawer the fleece was in. (i love a two-fer. :lol: )

the squares in the 9-patches finished to 1" squares. (well ... most of them are square and most of them are 1".) i don't think a fleece back takes anything away from a quilt - especially if it's intended for a child. the fleece makes it more huggable and more durable.

i'm only one hour from savannah. (most people who live here get there faster but i drive the speed limit. :lol: ) i always jump at the chance to meet other local quilters. the only reason i haven't joined our guild here in town is that i forget to go to the meetings. no kidding. every month, right on schedule, i remember the morning after. :roll: :lol:

Wonderful!

I want to snuggle up in it! Too bad it's child size for me.

Wow! I love the colors! Great idea using decorative stitches, and the sandwich idea. I have wondered about the stretch issue with fleece. I love the two-fer idea. Great quilt!

I like Ralph. He looks good from the front to the back. :) Great job as always.

I've never sewn any blocks using less than 3" so the 1" squares about boggles me! It's very pretty and I like the colors.

Cute quilt, good colors, but I have to ask - how did Ralph get his name?

Tim named it for me.

I really like Ralph.. he's so cheery. I can remember years ago they made what my Grandmother called "sheet blankets" they were in essence a sheet sized blanket of flannel, or an adult sized receiving blanket.
She loved using those for "summer weight" quilts when they started showing wear.. and lacking that would put a couple of sheets that were starting to show wear between the layers of a quilt. I love the idea of a flannel back.

It's great and I love the zigzag you used for the quilting. :-D :-D

Patrice---I LOVE Ralph!!! What great colors and design---you have a wonderful way with both!

I love the zigzag stitch for the quilting. Nice and simple and gets the job done.

It's been a long time since I've heard "sheet blankets". My mom and grandmother used them as well. thanks for the memory trigger!

I love all the colors in that!
I'm thinking Ralph is going to be loved alot!

Very nice. I have a couple of the 9 patches that I got in a grab bag....I now know what to do with them :D Thank you for the inspiration.

Awesome!

I love Ralph! And I especially love his fancy stitch machine quilting! :D :D

Wow--that baby is as bright as one I made I call "Wild Thing." :lol: It'd be great for learning one's colors!! I love it!

nice.

Wow! You forgot to tell us to wear our sunglasses.

That 'boy' is bright! Sure nice and cuddly.

Beautiful quilt , Patrice.

Looks beautiful Patrice!!

One inch squares??? :shock: No wonder your kitty is flat on his back. It's lovely, but I would do mine in at least six or nine inch squares. I also use the cross hatch alot. Your zigzag is a great idea.

LOVE it!!!! Great job, great colors, love the stitching!!!

Very, very nice, Patrice. I love the quilting and it looks great on the back. Thanks for the tips on working with fleece and cotton.

Great job and it is bright !!!

ooooooooooo pretty. I love all the colors

Love the color. I'm a bit confused about naming quilts. I name mine too, don't get me wrong, but they have names like 9 patch, D9P, Gramma's Sampler...etc. Perhaps Tim can name my next one.

He's been awful nice to you since you gave him back his toe.

I absolutely love the quilt. I would never have guessed it was so small. I didnt' think fleece would work as a backing, but it sounds good. It looks GREAT! I do a lot of cross hatch work when I machine quilt, which isn't often....I never thought about a zig zag. It would be great to make some of the other stitches on my machine work.

Wonderful job.

Great job - thanks for the idea of a different stitch! I am going to try that myself.