Quilted, bound, labeled...finis! Not sent yet, however, so I'll refrain from posting it in the Flickr group until it's on its way. Things I tried/learned while making it:
My biggest challenge was designing and piecing the robot. The sketch just took a minute but because the section was so small, the piecing got a bit fiddly. The area around the head has quite a few seams...this is when I almost gave up! All's well that ends well and I'll be doing more of this now that I've tried it with some success. You can see I borrowed one of Mimi's ideas and used some oversized snaps as eyes. All in all, a good experience. Will I participate in future swaps? Maybe. Probably, though not for a while. If you're thinking about joining one, Calamity Kim wrote a post this week about swap etiquette. She covers lots of topics you might not have considered. A good read.
Hard to believe, but since the beginning of the year, I have purchased very little fabric. Not that I needed any, but I do like to *feed the stash* every now and then with some fresh designs. I had lost interest through the months of my moving adventure, but my enthusiasm has returned and I indulged in some new cuts this week from Pink Chalk Fabrics. (I highly recommend PCF... Kathy offers wonderful service and is one of the nicest people in blogland.) All of these are 1/2 yards, which is my current preferred size for general stash enhancement fabric. *In the old days*, when colors were only available for a season, perhaps not to return for years, we quilters would stock up. But now with the infinite array available, and since I prefer a scrap approach in most of my quilts, a half yard is enough. I should mention that I always cut from the opposite end of the selvage on which the manufacturer/group info is printed, so that if I want more at some point, I have the pertinent information from which to start searching.
While I'm talking about quilts, how about these wonderful quilts that Movinghands Jennifer just posted from her trip to the Yokohama quilt show? *sigh*
Our first guests arrive in a week, so I need to get serious, buckle down and get the rest of our boxes out of here. (The last few are always the buggers, aren't they?) The yard is covered in leaves...the downside of our lovely, huge shade trees in the back. So no matter what the weather, I'll have my work cut out for me over the next few days. Hope you all enjoy a lovely weekend!
I love your robot! He is completely adorable, what a lucky swap partner. And I agree, I am also somewhat on the fence about swaps. Have fun with those last boxes- I feel your pain!
Posted by: KT | November 07, 2008 at 01:13 PM
Thanks for the quilt links. Did I tell you that my 16 year old daughter made her first (full size) quilt? It's gorgeous! I'm so proud. :)
Posted by: Annie | November 07, 2008 at 01:16 PM
Your robot turned out so cute!!
I love PCF's selection too and Kathy's blog. I still need to thin the stash a bit before I can justify ordering though.
Posted by: Kristin L | November 07, 2008 at 01:24 PM
That robot is so AWESOME!
Posted by: Amy | November 07, 2008 at 02:11 PM
The robot quilt is awesome: I wish I was your swap partner.
Posted by: Nancy | November 07, 2008 at 02:42 PM
Your swap quilt is truly "out of this world." Forget the leaves; enjoy your guests!
Posted by: diane | November 07, 2008 at 03:00 PM
Your swap quilt is adorable, Jan! Before I read the bit about piecing the head, I was thinking the very same thing--gee, that head had to be a pain in the, well, head to piece! ;-) And I see that your stash enhancements must be replacements for ones you used in the robot quilt--the colors would be perfect for a girl robot with that bit of pink thrown in. Yummy!
Posted by: amy | November 07, 2008 at 04:10 PM
What a wonderful quilt. That robot is truly awesome.
Posted by: Leslie | November 07, 2008 at 04:24 PM
Love your robot, nice work! The quilting is very cool too. I really like how well it matches the fabric you used. I saw the slide show by Jennifer too, and LOVE some of the quilts there. Wish I could have gone in person.
Posted by: Marisa | November 07, 2008 at 05:45 PM
Absolutely beautiful! Your doll quilt came out beautifully :-).
Posted by: Jessica | November 07, 2008 at 06:16 PM
Those are delicious fabrics! And thanks for the link to swap etiquette. I have mixed feelings about swaps but keep hoping for the best. And what a great little swap quilt you have made! Your swap partner will surely be happy. :)
Posted by: Anita | November 07, 2008 at 06:38 PM
Very nice, Jan! So fresh and alive. I agree about adding new fabrics to feed the stash. You picked out some cute ones.
Posted by: Jennifer | November 07, 2008 at 06:41 PM
Just adore your robot. You did a wonderful job around the head, I don't know if I have the patience to do miniature work like that. Too fiddly for me, I get all thumbs when it comes to minute pieces of fabric. So kudos to you for a beautiful little quilt which I'm sure will be well loved.
~~Fran...:c)
Ps. the fabrics are delicious!
Posted by: Fran | November 07, 2008 at 07:55 PM
I'm glad you persevered - the robot is adorable! Here's hoping you get all of your chores done and can relax before your guests arrive.
Posted by: Chris | November 07, 2008 at 08:19 PM
Thanks for the shout out Jan! I'm still a woozy from looking at the Yokohama quilts. So incredibly beautiful. Wow. I can always count on you for those fantastic links. Love the Robot!
Posted by: Kathy | November 07, 2008 at 08:47 PM
The robot is fantastic! You sure got the hang of free piecing.
Posted by: Kristin | November 07, 2008 at 11:45 PM
I love love love this quilt. You're forcing me to break out my Jedi powers: I am your swap partner - you will send this quilt to me!!!
Posted by: Tonya R | November 08, 2008 at 02:13 AM
That's one cute robot! He looks a bit lost and confused poor thing, but who wouldn't be with all those rockets swooshing around him :-) That border fabric is lovely, and the way you have continued the lines with your quilting is just perfect. Oh, to be your swap partner... But I have yet to enter a swap, so not this time at least.
Love those new fabrics too - it is important to feed the stash - mine is extremely well fed after this summer!
Posted by: mathea | November 08, 2008 at 03:17 AM
Your robot turned out great. Check mine out - just about to post him - I embroidered some of his 'head' details and used buttons for eyes. I foundation pieced my own design (which started off really complicated, and then became only moderately complicated!)
Enjoy your guests (and tidy house and yard after all that hard work you're about to do!)
Posted by: Cascade Lily | November 08, 2008 at 04:55 AM
how exciting- your first project in the new house- it looks wonderful!
Posted by: mimi k | November 08, 2008 at 09:54 AM
i love that little quilt! No surprise, I love everything you do. I like Pink Chalk Fabrics, too. She is great to do business with and wonderful to read.
Posted by: Cindra | November 08, 2008 at 04:02 PM
I'm totally smitten with your little robot!
Posted by: Hedgehog | November 09, 2008 at 07:26 AM
OMG that is adorable!! I LOVE that robot! And the fabric you used. Great job!
Posted by: Lynn | November 09, 2008 at 12:17 PM
Oh. My. Gosh.
I think that's the cutest doll swap quilt I've ever seen. HOW CUTE!!!!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | November 09, 2008 at 04:52 PM
Really, REALLY cool. It's fun to light off in new directions, isn't it?
This piece is very inspiring to me. I have some...let's say congruent...fabrics and this robot/spaceship idea is such a super one.
Posted by: KathieB | November 09, 2008 at 05:47 PM
HOLY MOLY! So adorable!
Posted by: Cherry Tree Lane | November 10, 2008 at 05:40 PM
Bravissima! Killing me!
Thanks to you I started hand quilting my swap Japanese houses today. Still not sure about these houses and not altogether happy with my choices or my piecing (they were harder than I thought they'd be), but we must do our best, hit our deadlines, and keep going. Trying to make up for any deficiencies by using favorite fabrics and telling myself that I'll nail the landing (the double fold binding, my area of expertise).
xo Kay
Posted by: Kay | November 10, 2008 at 07:48 PM
beautiful robot, and yes, kathy is one of the most wonderfully nice bloggers out there.
love the snap eyes!
susan
boo on leaves. i can't believe the leaves we have this year!!!!
Posted by: susan | November 10, 2008 at 07:56 PM
That robot is SO cute!!! I have been thinking baout robots a lot lately, and how many cool ways they could be crafted.
Super Fabuylous!!!!!
Posted by: hunnybunny | November 11, 2008 at 09:55 AM
SUPER COOL Robot...hand quilted? even more spectacular, vintage rocket ships...wow!! That, well, rocks!! If this isn't for me, I think I want to arrange a private swap with you on one..he is phenomenal!
Posted by: Scott at BlueNickelStudios | November 14, 2008 at 07:50 AM
What a fun robot. I must confess, I'm a bit addicted to swaps, as it combines my love for quilting, shopping, chatting with friends, giving AND getting things in the mail! The trick is to find a swap with people of the same skill-level, and commitment.
Cheers!
Posted by: dionne | November 14, 2008 at 03:43 PM
So fun to find your site!
Posted by: Marie | November 15, 2008 at 02:36 PM
great to see you quilting (and knitting) again!!
gorgeous things too.
Posted by: monica | November 18, 2008 at 04:31 AM
The quilting is so beautiful! It must have been a lot of fun to do. Take care.
PS: After a long time, I have finally been able to write a little about the Molas I was lucky to find in Panama. xo una
Posted by: una | November 22, 2008 at 03:48 PM