Lazy Danes: Our Adventure in Texas: March 2013

The girls have been watching My Little Pony (a little obsessively) recently and wanted all things pony for their birthday this year. M did decide she was too grown-uppity for an outfit, and wanted a quilt instead. Here's the disclaimer- I have never quilted before. In fact, I avoid it because I really like "finish -in-a-day" projects. Anything for your kids though, right?

W still likes all the attention she gets by wearing her one-of-a-kind, mommy-made-this, creations so she wanted a My Little Pony dress. She chose Princess Celestia for the body and the 6 main ponies are all around the skirt. I really like to make the t-dresses for her. They're easy, comfortable, and she doesn't have to dig for matching parts before school. (And can finish in a day)

My Little Pony dress front

My Little Pony dress back

For the quilt- I winged it. There was no pattern, I just knew needed 13 panels with pony appliqué, and 12 without, a front border, a back piece, and batting in the middle. I cut my squares 10 1/2 x 12 1/2 to leave plenty of room to get them hooped either direction in my 5x7 embroidery frame, plus leave a seam allowance.

I embroidered all the panels first- each one took 45 minutes to over an hour. They stitched out really well with no drama. Then, I arranged all the panels in the the middle of the floor to make sure it looked random enough and stitched them all together.

Next, to assembly. I eyeballed the finished panel section, decided on the black circle border and cut 5 inch wide pieces to go all around. The back is the circle fabric with an orange border. After I got the front all stitched I stretched it out and used it to get the measurements for the back.

Lastly, I sandwiched in the batting, stitched it shut except a 1 foot section, turned it, pressed it, topstitched the edge to close it, then quilted the seams.

Honestly, it's a Monet- looks good at a distance. If you look at it you can tell I'm not a quilter. But- M LOVES it, and that's what matters.

My Little Pony Quilt

And as parting- here is a picture of Butter.

Butter in her pillow nest

The time has changed, the weather is warming up and we have fresh goats milk in the fridge- spring is so close! Scarlett is giving us close to a 1/2 gallon a day while still nursing her kids. We'll start Petunia milking in another couple weeks as the kids wean- they'll be ready for new homes in mid-late April. I suspect the doelings will be good milkers like Ebony (their sister).