Build a quilt around a central character you design
 

I'll get the ball rolling.

I am designing a Halloween block of the month for myself to be finished for Halloween 2013. My central character is Frankenstein done in 1" squares.

I hope you will join me and Franky in Characterville.

Here is my initial design:
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I then turned it into an Excel spreadsheet:
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And I am ahead of schedule because Franky is now on my design wall, all cut out using all Halloween spider web fabrics.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]348507[/ATTACH]The Canada flag background pieces will be replaced with Halloween fabric. They were in place so that Franky can hang around with Monty the Mountie from the patriotic challenge but they really don't work.

Franky was supposed to be my August 2012 block followed by one block every month until August 2013 which will give me a good amount of time before he goes on display for October 31, 2013. I have a strong feeling that my Frankenstein wall hanging will be done long before then, though. :)

Works4me - Frankie is darling. He does look a bit lonely so here is Mikey come to hang around with him :) Maybe they can mix up a potion to help Monty find his dark side. :)

I started Mikey a couple of years ago. Here are pictures of his original drawing. I used the Model of Mikey from Monsters Inc. This was the first PP pattern that I every made. I think I redrew it about 15 or 20 times before I tried to make it in to sewable pieces also pictured. He turned out kinda of scruffy but I like him.. He is a monster after all. Shouldn't they look scruffy. LOL :D :D

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So Here's Mikey - ​Now I just have to figure out where to go from here to make a finished item. ???

Jenniky - Mikey is fabulous. I can't wait to see how you finish him and how many other blocks you do.

I'm taking a short break from Franky since he is a month ahead of schedule. He will be time consuming to sew as his head is 30 pieces by itself but I'm looking forward to it.

Don't worry anyone who is thinking this is a monster character challenge. That's just how it has started. I'm sure there will be puppies and bunnies and all sorts of other calming, tame creatures to play with. :)

Wow! so creative.

How coolis that...wonderful

Nice blocks guys!! I am inspired to give this a try, now I just have to find a character I like. I think I will go the PP route as I am always on the lookout to challenge my PP skills. :) Thanks for the challenge, I am looking forward to trying it out. :)

Rachel

Great to have you with us athenagwis. I can't wait to see what you come up with as your new buddy.

This sounds interesting, but I am working on the UFOs so may not have time till January to do this challenge. If I do, I think it would be fun to do a Peter Pan/Tinkerbell quilt. Those are my daughter's favorite characters. Otherwise would create a funky squirrel for the office. Will keep in mind. Great idea to challenge ourselves. Great job Jenniky love Mikey and Frankie is looking pretty stupendous.

They are both cute.

Seriously so excited about this!! Here is something I whipped up in Electric Quilt .... any guesses on what it is? :)

Rachel

QuilterMomma - We'll be here. Looking forward to seeing some Neverland characters. Great idea. Maybe tease us with a few sketches before January?

athenagwis - to me, that looks like #5 from Short Circuit. Now, he WAS a character. AM I right? Great choice.

Looks like the creative juices are flowing. Way to go everyone.

Hehe he does look like that!! :) I loooooved those movies. Actually this is Wall-E. JenniKy inspired me to think Disney. :) Now I just have to get the right fabrics. trying to decide if I should stick with solids or use some patterns that almost read as solids.

Cheers!
Rachel

Here I am :D ..... up for air (from the salt mines!!!

Looks like you ladies have been busy busy busy!

Great challenge W4Me ... you must have known about some of my "I want to's .... ".

You can count me in too!! ... BTW ... mine will NOT be a scary sort!

W4Me ... Franky really has come into being. Yes, Oct 2013 ... we'll see! My $ is on 10/13!!!!

Jenniky ... Good job, pulling out a PUP. You've got the basics done, now to decide what's next!

AthenaGwis ... Looks like we have another EQ player in our midst. I know nothing about the program, though admire what many of you are doing with it. Fabrics? I don't know the "character", though to me it's calling for batiks ... and some steely metallic fabric for the greys. Does that fit the character mold?

Everyone Else ... come on and join me and commit to doing this character challenge. Then start thinking of who/which character and post who it'll be. And even if you aren't going to work on it for awhile, the sketching and ideas can start building ... and start the project stash!

Mine will not be a scary one, I'm more than certain.
I have a few ideas in mind ... and will let you know my decision when the moment comes!

Here's to some more fun fun fun!!!!!!

This sounds like a fun idea but also something I've never tried before and not sure how to do this but I think I will follow along to see what you inspiring folks are up to. Just maybe I'll get an idea and run with it.

not sure If I can do this or not, I normally can copy really well, but to create a critter on my own..... well that will be a challenge for sure! Not even sure where to start ideas at. So we will have to think about this one!

I think I can I think I can... Choo Choo Just remember the lil train that could. :) :) :)

Your character is great :)

Awe, those are too cute!

I'm going to give this a try. Not sure how soon I can get started but will put my thinking cap on.

Woot Vickig626 Good to have you with us on the Challenge. :)

Jenniky ... Guess what? I have a sketch!!! .... and that's a HUGE accomplishment for me. Remember, I'm no artist!

Well share it ...come on... I bet its a great sketch :) :)

I will I will ... just wanted to let you know I have progressed!
I actually bought a FQ today as a potential fabric choice.
It's in the dryer now (yes, I'm a pre-wash and abuse it all the h E double hockey sticks before sewing).
So stay tuned ... and I'll show you later!

haha.. I will be sitting on pins and needles in anticipation :) Alright maybe not... I need them pins and needles for sewing...LOL

OUCH!!!!!!!!
No you don't need them ... remember you are spray basting!

I guess this commits me ........ can you guess what it is?
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I would like to join in as well. My character is Toby, a dog friend of mine.

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Well isn't Toby just the cutest little guy!!
Please do tell us his story, CharlotteMarie?
Did you just make him up now? or has he been a PUP waiting to be brought to the forefront?
Any ideas as to how you are going to finish him off?

Little Bo peep?? :) I love it!! I remember seeing in a book where someone made sheep out of log cabin squares and I just thought that was the neatest thing ever. I never actually tried it, but how neat would it be if you made Bo Peep as your central block and then log cabin sheep surrounding here? :) :) :)

Cheers!
Rachel

I would like to do this. Is copying a picture and doing applique an ok method. I would like to do Hello Kitty

Little Bo Peep... :) That will be adorable :thumbup:

Yes please do tell us his story... he looks quite loveable :) :) :)

I don't think W4me put any restrictions on what method of quilting you use. Im sure applique method would be fine. :)

Yes, Little Bo Peep will have found her sheep!!

They'll be in a meadow with flowers.
(... though that was where Little Boy Blue found his wayward sheep.)
First fabric auditioned though I'd prefer some colour in the flowers.

And did you notice that Bo plans to keep those woolykins at home now?
... a picket fence to keep them contained!! :)

Ever since I did my Christmas Shepherd and his Sheep, I've had this conversion in mind.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...t-t172511.html
Now I have no excuse to not get at it!!!
And I have an abundance of ideas coming forth ... so watch out as it changes.
I won't be starting for awhile ... first I must find the perfect meadow fabric!

Thanks W4Me ... I needed the nudge!!!


TooManyUFOs ... of course, why not an applique? Most anything goes ... except a printed panel or a fussy cut design! The way I look at it, W4Me is nudging us to "make" our someone or something ... and for sure using a photo as a guideline to create an applique would be bang on! I'm re-creating a pattern I've used, which will be so much more fun than looking for LBP printed on fabric!

athenagwis - I never saw that movie but Wall-E is fabulous. Can't wait to see more progress.

seasaw2mch - yes, follow along and join us when you can.

QuiltingKrazy - I'm sure you'll come up with something. We are here to encourage you.

vickig626 - looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

QuiltE - Miss Peep is adorable. I was thinking along the lines of athenagwis, to have assorted sheep blocks surrounding the darling Bo-Peep.

charlottemarie - Welcome. Toby is adorable. Will his other blocks include bones to eat and butterflies to chase?

TOO MANYUFO's - sounds good. After all Franky isn't exactly my creation either. I took the character and made him my own by deciding to piece him together out of tiny little blocks. Taking a photo and converting it to an applique works for me.

QuiltE - well said about the character. Tell me what your next wish you could find time for project is and I might just start a challenge for it, too. :D

As I mentioned earlier, Franky is waiting for me for a while. I have some time as he wasn't even supposed to be started until August. Maybe, when I take a break from my glass etching I will sew a Franky head.

Glad to see so many people giving their characters life. And it's a great variety. Everyone give yourselves a pat on the back. :)

you people are amazing, once i get the hang of sewing, lol, i have only been doing this for 9 months now i may get adventurous and attempt something like that. good for both of you they are great.

huntersgrammie - Glad you are checking us out. Maybe combine taking a class with this challenge and let a teacher guide you. Or buy a pattern for a character you like. Or look in a book or on the internet for free patterns for something with which you feel comfortable. My intent was mainly to have participants build a character and then have fun with additional blocks around it. Or try something with straight lines, to start. We are here to help and encourage. Franky could have been made a LOT simpler, with larger pieces so there weren't so many seams. I just chose to complicate him as I wanted Franky to be seamed, just like the original. :) The blocks around him are basically sampler blocks in Halloween fabrics.

I hope you decide to join us.

oh i will be around. i have these kerchiefs that are southwest pattern and i am trying to figure out a way to fussy cut them using a template to go with it, to design a pattern for a quilt for our room in the trailer. we winter in arizona so i thought it would be a great idea. i am thinking of a cactus or kokopeli, i love him but he would be a stretch for a beginner. but i think you get my point. so give me some time i am sure i will come up with something bringing those elements together.