Xmas Xrafts

Monkeys!
Originally uploaded by Big Sister.

After the night of 1000 sock monkeys, I took an unrelated quilting class at Stitch Lounge. Included in the course materials fee was all the fabric for the quilt top. In the piles of fabrics that the instructor offered us was this adorable sock monkey fabric by Moda. I was planning this as a gift for my niece, so I wanted it to be as lively as she is. Now, some might say that the sock monkeys were lively enough. However, when given the choice between subdued and loud, I will always go for the choice that pops. So, the crazy floral became the secondary fabric, with a more subtle light blue with cherries as the third. I am very excited about the results:

Despite cutting myself with the rotary cutter and sewing the side of my finger, I really enjoyed this project. I want to make more children's quilts! I want to make more sock monkey quilts! (To that end, I purchase quite a bit of the monkey fabric and a package of fat quarters in different sock monkey related fabrics in flannel). I am also obsessing over the quilt in this issue of Craft.

Any experienced quilters have advice for me?

Comments

[Sarah]

Oooh! I don't quilt, but I bet that sock monkey fabric would make for great pj pants!

[Daphne]

My advice is keep working from whatever inspires you. Your sock monkey quilt is great and your niece clearly appreciates it. :)

I love Susan's modern heirloom quilt too. I'm pretty sure it was her second quilt... she's amazing (and I don't just mean her quilt-making ability).

[Jessica]

I live in fear of maiming myself with the rotary cutter. I've been thinking about getting those special butchers' gloves you can't cut through. And sewing your finger? Ow.

[Abigail]

Very cute quilt! My mom made a quilt for my older son using that monkey fabric with this panel as the star of the show. She used a bunch of the fabrics from that line in the quilt, including the one with the band-aids and medicine bottles that just cracked me up. :)

I tried taking up quilting but I am so much better with knitting, where I can go back. There's no going back when you cut the fabric wrong!

[aija]

No advice, but that's just rad!

[alison]

Fabulous! The fabrics, the colours, the monkeys, everything. I love it.

Happy new year!

[Megan]

I think the brightness of all the different fabrics work brilliantly together! Now I want to make a monkey quilt for my baby due in May! But I have to finish her knit blanket first. Gah, I thought baby projects were supposed to get done quickly!

[Elinor]

Oh, just the thought of getting all those monkeys cut just so makes my head spin! It looks beautiful!

[Erin]

Uh oh! This looks like a dangerous new avocation. In any case, the quilt is really cute and stiking at the same time. You have a really unique and creative eye!

[Julia]

I love this quilt - excellent colors. I've done a minimal bit of quilting - mostly cutting and machine piecing - and I am dying to do more. I think a baby quilt may be the way to go, and this is great inspiration.

[madonnaearth]

You are freaking me out. Gorgeous quilts should not make you wish for an emergency room near you. Love the green-based quilt too.