Fancier Foxes

This post is looong overdue! 

A few months ago, I made a Fancy Fox quilt for my newest nephew. My kids fell in love with the foxes. So much so, that: 1) they didn't want me to give the quilt away. 2) they wanted to make their own fox quilts. I've been posting pics here and there of their progress. Although - it's been a few months since they finished their tops. Summer came along, and like all other projects, we (I) took a break on the quilts. I finally got them quilted in August, and even took pictures a few weeks ago. I'm a bit behind with showing them off. I'm still trying to find a happy medium with how to spend my time while the kids are at school. Lately, I've been sewing up their Halloween costumes. Which, I'm happy to say, are nearly finished, and should have pictures to show y'all in a week or two. 

Making these quilts with them has been such a great experience for all of us. The kids really took to concentrating on their stitches, and even challenged themselves to go at a faster pace. They sort of made a game out of timing themselves to see how long it would take to sew 5 squares, or how many they could get done in 2 minutes. 

They were very particular about what they wanted, putting their personalities into their quilts. They picked everything, from fabrics, placement, accessories, backing and quilting. Which has been funstrating (fun+frustrating)! I think it's a good trait they have, but can also be frustrating when what they want isn't really available. My girl was much more giving in her decisions. If it was the right color, that's all that mattered. 

My boy on the other hand, was a little more picky. He wanted each fox be different - not just in color, but also in print. He has always known what he wants, and always figures out a way to get it. I had to pull out every single bin of fabric I have, with a lot of rejections, before he found a fabric for each fox. In the end, he decided it was okay if the patterns were similar (but still not the same), especially when it came to dots. Even thought it's just a quilt, I'm glad to see him not waver from his determination. I know he felt very accomplished when he was able to find 42 different fabrics. He could have given up after the first bin and just settled on what he had, but he wouldn't have been happy.  

Trying to decide on a background was nearly as daunting for him. After many mind changes, a couple quick lessons on color theory and contrasting, a trip (or 2) to the Riley Blake warehouse, he found the right color of grey he could be happy with.

So how did we make these foxes fancier? Of course the glasses were a must. My girl didn't like the glasses that Elizabeth Hartman made to go along with her pattern. She thought they looked too boyish. So I came up with some other, more girly glasses. Paisley also wanted to add bows. Which I love! 

This is my favorite of her foxes.

My boy also wanted to add glasses. And mustaches.

I came up with a few mustaches for variety. He only wanted the short, nearly straight mustache.

I think it makes the fox look quite sly.

It didn't just stop at glasses and mustaches. He also wanted a hat, which then led to a monocle.

This is my favorite of his foxes. I absolutely LOVE how it turned out!

This might really be my favorite of all the foxes. He looks so dignified!

Paisley wanted a simple wave quilted across hers. She picked a very pale purple thread by Sulky. It has a been of a glimmer to it, just like her :)

She couldn't decide which Michael Miller Basics purple dots she liked better, so I pieced them in a gradient (I should have made some of the strips wider).

Argyle wanted his to be quilted in flames. He found a red/yellow/orange variegated thread in my box that was perfect for the flames.

He also pulled about 13 different fabrics for his backing. I did my best to incorporate all that he had, but when it came down to it, had to leave a few out. The pieces just weren't big enough. I made the back up as I went a long. I don't usually do improv piecing. I had a lot of fun with it, and am seriously considering making a top in the same fashion. 

I don't know who's more proud of their first quilts (and tremendous accomplishment), me or them. The quilts are shown to just about everyone who comes by our house, have been on their beds since the moment they were finished, traveled with them in the car, been to movie nights, a hospital appointment, talent night and shown off to their school classes. 

I am amazed at their tenacity during the whole process. 

I'm glad to be able to share my love of quilting with my kids. 

I'm happy I could teach them.

I am extremely proud of them. 

Foxes In The Desert

Just a few short weeks ago, my newest nephew was born. I have made a quilt for each of my nieces and nephews. This makes number 13. My brother and his family all really loved that 'What Does The Fox Say' song. I have never heard it - I may be about the only one on the planet who hasn't. Non-the-less, when I learned they would be having another boy, I knew I wanted to make Elizabeth Hartman's Fancy Fox Quilt. I was so anxious to make this quilt, I started pulling fabrics before the pattern even arrived! When the pattern finally did arrive, I had this cute little top put together in about 2 days! There was a lot of trimming and pressing, but all worth it. 

I've shown a few pictures here and there of my progress on Facebook. I'll share them again below, in case you missed it :)

This quilt is being hand delivered by my parents who are currently driving through 5 states to meet my new nephew, and will be arriving today. Sometimes quilts make me so happy I can hardly wait to give it to their intended. This is one of those of quilts. 

I held off on taking pictures of the final quilt for a few weeks after it was finished, only because I was going to be taking a mini-trip to Capital Reef and already knew it would be the perfect place to take pictures of these foxes. I toted it around on one of our hikes, placing it in the little 'cubbies' in the sandstone walls, finding that perfectly angled flat rock it could lay on, or over by that tree that is also very beautiful, standing tall above the rocky surrounding as if it too, was taking in all the beauty that was before it. I got left behind. A lot. 

When I finally caught up to everyone else, I saw the most perfect rock to hang the quilt from; with a little help from my mom (who is huddled along the backside).

I love this fox with the glasses on. There was a huge argument between my kids on which one I should put the glasses on. Ultimately, I decided slightly off center would be best. My boy keeps telling me where I really should have put them.

I quilted it with an all over wood grain. This is one of those patterns I felt so intimidated to do. But after squiggling it on paper a few times, quilting it was a breeze. I quickly fell into my niche, and had it quilted with in a day. Such an EASY design that I will be doing again! :)

My kids also fell in love with the foxes. They have decided that they, too, want their own fox quilt. They have been going through my stash to pick out their fabrics, and have even helped with the sewing. One top is done and currently 13 foxes into the second one. It's been fun sewing with them. I'm even more glad it's something they want to do too :)

The Boy's Turn

Since my little girl picked out fabric for her new quilt last week, my boy wanted a turn at picking out fabric for his quilt, too. He also wants a fox quilt, and wanted each fox to be different. He riffled through my stash this morning and came up with this assortment:

He says he's going to stay up all night sewing it. I think it's great he's so ambitious :)

Guess I better get cutting!

Stripping Down

I couldn't resist taking a picture of this pretty little pile of freshly cut jelly strips.

I managed to get all the main pieces cut yesterday, after much wonderment and inquiry as to when I would be finished with her quilt :)

AND ... 

In case you're wondering which pattern she finally landed on - -

it's Fancy Fox by Elizabeth Hartman.

All that's missing is the background. Paisley's thinking she wants pink, purple and red, and that was narrowing it down ;). I was thinking a nice light grey or pale yellow. What color would you pick?

Digging Deep

Last week I mentioned that Paisley had gone through all the bolts in store and picked out her favorites. It was a great start to a new quilt. Today we spent the better part of the morning going through my stash bins picking out more fabrics!

After quite a bit of searching, I think we've got what she needs for her quilt, minus the background. She's still undecided on what color the background should be; and maybe more undecided on what a background is :)

After playing outside for a bit, she came, looked at the fabric spread out on the floor and said, "Are you done with my quilt yet?!"

snow day

Thank you all for your sweet comments on my grandma's post yesterday. It was heartwarming to read each of your comments. I'm sorry that I didn't reply to you individually, I've been at a loss for words. 

We woke up to quite the Spring snow storm. I'm pretty sure I have swept a good 6 inches off of my car. 

Since the snow botched all my other plans for today, my girl thought it would be a good idea to go through all the bolts of fabric and pick out her favorites. So far she's picked about a dozen from Cotton + Steels Basics. I cut a strip from each bolt, which I've been instructed is going to be a new quilt for her, and she's going to help with sewing.

Her ambition makes me smile.

I also love the lime and turquoise bits she mixed in with the pinks, purples and corals.

I wonder what she has in mind for her quilt ...