Whales & Snails
One of the (many!) fun things about being a quilt magazine editor is getting a sneak peek at upcoming projects. Lately, it’s been projects for the fall issue of Simple Quilts & Sewing…so many great, fun ideas!
I’ve got babies on the mind lately…several friends have just had new little ones, and my #2 is due in August. So when we received some adorable appliquéd onesies for publication, I decided to adapt the idea for my own purposes. I used the whale shape to decorate a pre-made bib, and then added a few strips of coordinating fabric embellishment to the bottom of a burpcloth. I used primarily batiks—I love them in general, and I think they’re perfect for water and watery animals—deep blues, purples, and teals…ahhh! And don’t forget to watch for these whales to resurface in the fall issue of Simple Quilts & Sewing!
For a second set, I dug into my current favorite children’s line, Little Critters by Diane Eichler for Red Rooster Fabrics. I’ve been eager to use these! The critters in circles are ideal to fussy cut, and so cute. I love the coordinating patchwork print, dots and stripe (the stripe is not pictured here…I’m using it another bib/burpcloth combo I have yet to make).
For this set, I traced a regular bib and made my own, and then followed the burpcloth instructions from the spring issue of Simple Quilts (Got You Covered, p. 36). Easy pattern—took me less than an hour to make!
Can’t wait for these cuties to arrive at the new grandma’s house, ready to be used…
Lisa Swenson Ruble
About the Author: Lisa Swenson Ruble
I made my first quilt when I graduated from college and realized that I needed a hobby to fill all those hours that used to be dedicated to homework! Eleven years later, I'm completely addicted to quilting and thrilled that my day job as the managing editor for Quilt, Simple Quilts & Sewing and Quilt Almanac allows me to "play" with quilts and the friendly world of quilters!
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