"I Spy" Patchwork Wall Hanging (girly-ish version)

Finished the other "I Spy" wall hanging and put it up for sale in my Etsy shop on the weekend. But its been so busy (and generally sleepless) around here that I didn't have time to write about it here till now. This is the "girl" version. You can read about the "boy" version here, and of course, see it in the shop. If you read here often you know how I hate those gendered distinctions, but I am making these things to sell, and I understand the views of the vast majority of parents will keep them from putting Strawberry Shortcake on their baby boy's wall. Anyhow, I ranted a bit about it last time so I won't put you through that again. 

I do love the imagery in this one though. And I spent a TON of time choosing the binding colour. I knew it was going to be a solid, as the quilt has enough going on, and that it'd be pink. ish. I had a swatch of every pink from my local fabric store, and the whole Kona swatch card and I just agonized over it. I didn't want a pink that was too, er, pinky, but didn't want it to read as a reddish orange as many of the non-pinky pinks do. It also had to be strong enough to compete with all the other colours in the patchwork. In fact, I cut out and prepared enough binding in another colour entirely, pinned it in place and everything and then just couldn't go through with it (too orange). Then switched to this dark pink and am very happy with it. I know, the non-quilters reading this think I'm crazy. But the sewists out there, you know what I'm on about. 

Lots of colours and fun and imagery in the patches that I remember fondly (or at least vaguely) from my childhood. This totally brings me back to Saturday morning cartoons. 

And I have quite grown to love this backing fabric too. I have a whole pile in my studio of fabrics that I think of as "destined to be backings". They are not amazing, but not bad. I wasn't in love with them when I bought them, but knew that I'd need a backing someday with some pink in it or whatever, and did not want to waste one of my favourites on a backing, so I bought it. Don't get me wrong, I want my quilt backs to be cute and all, but they are not the star of the show. And especially with a wall hanging, I figure its not going to be seen much at all, not as often as you'd see the back of an actual quilt. But as I sewed and quilted this one, this simple patterend fabric really, really grew on me. Funny how that happens. 

The Baby as usual gave it his high pitched squealing seal of approval. Now I've got one more to make before this years Christmas Craft show. I've got a "gender neutral" one all cut out and ready to go. Only a matter of time. 

Comments

[Chris Van Meggelen]

Good call on the edging colour. From my computer screen, it goes really nicely with the Rainbow Brite/ Smurf roof/ whatever that is in the background of the droid pic.

[Mary Griffiths]

I found you a darling Babar the elephant sheet at VV Boutique, would be good for either boys/girls!- I'll send it thru your sister!!- cheers Mary

[finger thumb]

Thanks Chris, that's what I was going for. I'm glad that I'm not the only one who appreciates a good colour match!
And Mary, you rock! I've never even seen a Babar bedsheet before. I can't wait to get my hands on it! Babar is a big favourite around here.