I was pinning my quilt layers this am when I noticed this hole in one of the blocks! How did I ever miss it?! My first inclination was to put some type of fusible material on the back to stabilize it...but then I thought...this is going to be washed a lot since it's a baby quilt. I probably ought to replace the block...I do have enough material left that I think I can fussy cut another matching block.

Now...what's the "easiest" way to replace a block that's already sewn in without taking apart a third of the quilt? Or is that asking too much...do I have to take apart that whole corner...and just not fuss about the time it's going to take to do it?!!! :?

Thought I'd ask y'all first and see what you experienced quilters would recommend!

Thanks, Karen

Just pick out the stitching that's holding the block in, and then about an inch on the surrounding seams, cut your new block & insert it, by stitching the seams back together, try to follow the same order of stitching the seams as they were originally. (that's what I've done in the past)

Would doing a little bit of fusible on the back to stabilize it now, then marking the spot in a way so that it stands out more (so you can see it) and then doing some extra quilting over it fix it? I can't see taking that area apart.

Although, good that you saw it now and not after basting and beginning to quilt it.

I thought of that but I'm not planning to quilt on the blocks that have the fussy cut characters. I'm doing SID. And I don't want to quilt over just that one block...

So you think this can be done without undoing the borders? I sure hope so! ;-)

It would be very easy to put another block in but you could also applique a flower over it and put them in random places. You could make the flower to match the flower in the fabric

You can pick out just that block by taking out the stitching an extra half inch on all sides, but I wouldn't. I'd applique a red heart over the hole. Babies can never have too much love.

I was also thinking about applique small flowers or a small sun........Michele

Fussy cut one of the green circles or flowers from the border fabric and applique it over the hole. I wouldn't go through all the hassle of adding a new block. As you said this one is going to be used and abused, not an heirloom wall quilt to gaze at for a hundred years;>

Maybe, fussy cut one of the circles, from scraps of the border, to cover it........Michele

Candace, We must think alike,lol.......Michele

What about fussy cutting a small orange dot and appliqueing it over the hole? The block already has an orange dot in the pattern. You will know the mend is there but only the Quilt Police will find it.

you could take our just the block, then replace it using "y" seams without disturbing the surrounding blocks

No help, but I just wanted to say that that is the cutest quilt ever!!!!

Since the lion is the king of the jungle. I think it would be cute to applique a crown on his head to cover the hole. You could use a machine decorative stich around it to jewel it up in places while it is still a quilt top.

I would do what others have said, just take an orange dot and put it over the hole, no one will ever know

You know...that may not be a bad idea at all! At first I wasn't too keen with the idea of adding "more" to the quilt...it is pretty busy after all! But if I use a few scattered fussy cut flowers here and there...I think it would be okay...in this case the "busyness" kind of hides the additions! And by using the printed flowers...makes it much less intimidating to think about appliqueing something since I've not done applique before. This would be a first!

This would be my choice, too.

i thought of this idea, too. but i'd cut out a 'sun' shape from the gold fabric and fuse/applique it there. otherwise, it really is not that difficult to replace the block as others have advised.

This may be a little unorthodox for other quilters, but since I'm a short-cut fool, I would make another block and sort of applique it over the existing one. Since it's so colorful, I don't think anyone will notice the extra thickness of one little block.

This is an easy solution!

That is the cutest quilt, love the colors. I agree with everyone else, cut a small circle or make a small flower and sew it on over the hole. No one but you will know. You have so many circles on the quilt, no one will ever know there is an extra one

I agree -- add a bit of applique. Pick a flower, pick a circle -- either make it big or little (I tend to go for splashy) and applique it down. I would scatter them over the quilt in random places so it looks like part of your original design. I would probably use the fusible, windowed applique method to stick it down and then blanket stitch or zigzag around them (since I can't hold a needle long enough to do hand applique).

why not fussy cut a little flower and applique it over the hole?

Now see , so many ideas here different then my first thoughts. I would pull thread from the edges and re-weave (Darn) it over the hole. LOL!

If you have enough material to fussy cut another block, that is what I would do. (If not any of the applique ideas would work.) It isn't really that hard to remove a block and resew in another one.

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My thoughts too.

I think one of the turqoise dots would do the trick...just saying.

I would probably applique a little butterfly over it.

I agree with the applique. I was thinking a sun since it would be shining down on the cute lion.

Thanks for this link...this looks great! I do have a question though...does it smell at all or give an off-gas odor when it's being ironed? I am extremely sensitive to chemicals and need to take precautions not to use anything that could potentially make me ill.

Can you add an applique of something? Maybe a star?

None that I can detect and I'm also very sensitive to chemical smells.

would be inclined to just put a small piece of the same white fabric through the hole with a stiletto. Make sure there is a bit of fusible stuff on the back of the repair piece so that when you get it into place you can iron it against the batting and it wont move.After you have quilted it, I doubt whether it will be detected unless you point it out.(P.S. I would also put a small ring of the fusible between the top and the repair swatch as well).

Applique,..........the fastest solution :)

I agree with appliqué. A small piece such as a butterfly or flower around the hole would do it, even if it covers that one seam.

All these things would work, just unstitching a little past the block, applique etc. I was thinking an applique of one of the circles in the fabric. Also you have to consider the quilting. If you fused under the hole and then quilted through that area, it would help to stabilize the whole thing through the many washings.. The quilting would also help hold on an applique through all those washings. i have gotten quilts where the seams were missed or barely there. I quilt in that area in such a way to reduce the stress on that seam and have my quilting take the stress.

You may have to toss a coin on what to do since so many will work.

I'd applique something !! Cute quilt !!

my thoughts too - some well placed flowers or stars perhaps? I think appliques would save you a lot of grief here.