the doggle quilt
2010
We have lazy, tropical dogs. Simon was born on Queensland’s central coast (hot, hot, hot) and has since lived through 7 years of Brisbane’s heat and humidity, and Toph was born out west – famous for it’s heat. Our doggles know hot. Now, they’re a bit baffled by this cold and it’s only autumn! We’ve moved their cushions from the laundry to the kitchen, and their new favourite place to snuggle on one of them – why sleep on your own bed by yourself, when you can snuggle together and be cosier – is under the kitchen table. Nice and cave like for a pair of lazy, cold Queenslanders. Add a quilt and their nights should be much warmer.
Yesterday, I hopped on out to the sewing room (with my new immobilising stormtrooper boot – bye bye pain, hello healing!) and dug around for awhile in the many boxes of lost and forgotten projects. Amongst many cries of “Oh how sweet, I forgot about this” I found four blocks in red, green and white that I had pieced four years ago, planning to use as Christmas placemats. Their purpose came and went, and the following year, no longer enamoured with them, they were stuffed into a box for … later. Yes, they are pieced from fabric that is too fine a quality and expensive for dogs and no, the green I was using as a placemat backing doesn’t go so well, but … they could either sit in a box for ever or be put to some use. Use it is.
I cut the green backs up into strips, added some Aunt Grace scotty dog fabric and put these blocks with the originals like a giant 9 patch. When Abby saw them she exclaimed “Oh you’ve made dog paw blocks!” “I guess they are!” I answered, looking upon my Christmas crackers with fresh eyes.
Despite years and years of measuring, cutting and piecing I am still strangely challenged by the seam allowance bit. I know, ridiculous. But when I am trying to add something up to fit something else, I almost always get in wrong. Hence, the narrow strips of scotty dogs on the side of the stripey blocks. Never mind, it’s a feature.
By the time Abby was home from school, the quilt top was finished. Whilst she drew and practiced her music, I pinned it to a thrifted pure wool blanket (pre-washed) and began quilting. Largish coral like shapes. Quick and easy. Except the darn thread kept snapping. Boy was that irritating. And made for lots of ends to be tied off today. After supper, scrabble and bed time, I finished the quilting and it was ready to be bound this morning.
I don’t know why I bought this binding fabric – but by golly, it makes a gorgeous binding! Note to self – must keep my eyes out for more argyle style checks for binding.
Done! As soon as I laid it on the floor, the doggles threw themselves upon it, rolling around frantically and rubbing their faces in it. Love perhaps? Or just an enthusiastic scenting :-)
And now it’s under the table, tousled up on their cushions, waiting for a good snuggle. If only they’d stay tucked in at night. But they won’t, silly doggles.
You know, I was dreading being back home by myself, waiting for my ankle to heal. But I must have a new energy – maybe my stormtrooper boot, maybe I’m still filled with holiday love – ’cause it’s not bad at all, and there’s so many lovely around the house projects calling my name :-)
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Oh, wow… what lucky pups! I’d sleep under teh table of someone gave me such a beautiful quilt as well! I had a giggle imagining the stormtrooper boot… your new name: Lily “Stormtrooper” Boot!
Happy healing!
Hee hee! I’ll see if the professional canine snugglers have some sort of Handbook for Cold Living they can send over. Mine however do not have handmade loveliness for warmth. Sad, that. I hope things continue apace with happy projects!
lucky lucky doggles!!!!
What a good pal you are to those lucky doggies!
You are also very productive for someone who’s supposed to be laid up. I too would be delighted to have an excuse to sit at my sewing machine and heal.
Really?? is there such a thing as fabric too fine and expensive for those doggies? I think not! Of course if you had to choose between sharing something with Abbie that she dearly desired it would be different but such is the love you get from puppies (and kitties, I suppose) thta they really do deserve the very best. They’ll adjust to the temps, although I’m sure you’ll have some cold morning when they won’t want to get out for the morning ‘chores.’ will there be snow there – Toph will certainly be unhappy initially about having her tummy THERE! Now I must get to work making quilts for my girls (of course it won’t be winter again here until November) but at 70 pounds each they’ll need something with a little more ‘real estate’. As usualy thanks for sharing all the loveliness. Can’t wait to see where the little crochet wheels go!
Hi Lily, so nice to hear that you had the most beautiful time with friends and family at Brisbane. I love your newest quilt… I think the different shades of green gives a quirky playfulness to it and the strips with the scotty prints are oh so lovely… the binding I guess is meant for this moment!
i agree that those are lucky dogs. wool blanket and cotton quilt fabric and gorgeous quilting. very cozy indeed.