Can I Get A Whoop Whoop?

Hi, all!

Friday is here once again, and that means it's time for us to get our whoop whoop on!  I've been chasing a squirrel this week, so I've got something fun to share - and I hope you've been having fun sewing too.  Let's get started!

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Last week I saw a really cool little quilt on Instagram....

...and started doing a little research.  @mamacatquilts said that it was "kawandi" quilting, so I did a Google search, and found an article and mini-tutorial for a machine sewn version by Piece Love and Happiness called Modern Kawandi Making.  I discovered that kawandi is a traditional Indian method of quilting, using scraps, of which I had PLENTY!  And away we go!!!

After putting a backing on a scrap piece of batting, I set my corners in place...

...then started laying scrappy pieces in an overlapping fashion working towards the center from each corner.  As you can see, I chose to "pink" my edges instead of turning the underneath.  Maybe it's lazy, maybe it's a design decision - but whatever, it worked!  

Glue sticks are amazing!  That's how I secured all these pieces in place, and it held so well - I even used it to secure the back to the batting!  Keep layering pieces on, working in towards the center...

...and eventually, you'll get to the center!  As you can see, my center is a little off but I chose to embrace that because I really prefer things a little off-kilter anyway....

Next came quilting.  I chose to start near my off-center center and do a square spiral out to the edges, about 1/4" apart.  I didn't worry too much about perfection - perfection is highly overrated!  But I love the texture of close quilting, don't you?

The pinked edges float free in spots, but I'm not worried about it, as this mini-quilt won't be washed.  I rather like the additional texture it gives the surface!

You can see the quilting design on the back.  I also did a facing rather than a binding to the front, so the design goes all the way to the edges.

See those pieces on the corners?  They are called "phula" flowers, and a kawandi quilt is considered incomplete without them.  I made mine by cutting 3" circles with my pinking blade, then folding them in half and again in thirds accordion style.  

It was  easy to attach them to the back of the quilt so the "petals" peek out from each corner.  They're actually kind of pretty, aren't they?

Emmy Lou allowed me to take her picture as she modeled the finished quilt, even though she was sweaty from playing in the yard.  She's a cute little stinker, isn't she?

Here's a nice picture of the quilt hanging on the wall.  I love the texture-y shadows created by the quilting, and the play of colors and scraps.

But here's one of my favorite scraps in the piece - see the little crossed fingers?  It's a piece of a line called Lucky Charms that I got at QuiltCon, so it holds some fun memories.  I'll remember that every time I see those fingers!

And now it hangs on the wall coming into my studio with a couple of other minis I made and the beautiful quilt made for me by Sharon Vrooman and Sue Daurio.  Now it feels like home!

So - - - can I get a whoop whoop?

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And now it's your turn!

What's got you whooping it up this week?

What's making you do a little happy dance?

Share!  We want to dance right along with you,

And it's always more fun to dance with friends!

The party will stay open until Sunday midnight.

Hope to see you there!

Hugs!

Sarah