It's definitely been a while since I've written anything in this blog. I haven't had a lack of writing material. Rather, I've experienced a number of other demands on my time that have kept me from keeping up with the blog. Just the same, I've been rather eager to make a new post. For this one, I thought I would share a quilt that I completed a little earlier this year.
This name of this quilt is "Hanging Out" and you can download the pattern for free. I first saw this quilt on a Facebook post from one of my favorite quilt shops in Minnesota, Sewing Seeds Quilt Co. Their post indicated that they were making kits available for this particular quilt, and I jumped at the opportunity. Who wouldn't like the opportunity for a nap time quilt featuring sloths?
Before we get moving along with the description of this quilt, how about if we slow down (haha) and consider a few fun facts about sloths.
One of the nice things about this quilt is that it featured a panel so I didn't have lots of piecing to do. As much as I do love traditional patchwork, having something easy to put together is fun, too. Here is the center of the panel featuring these cute sloths.
This name of this quilt is "Hanging Out" and you can download the pattern for free. I first saw this quilt on a Facebook post from one of my favorite quilt shops in Minnesota, Sewing Seeds Quilt Co. Their post indicated that they were making kits available for this particular quilt, and I jumped at the opportunity. Who wouldn't like the opportunity for a nap time quilt featuring sloths?
Before we get moving along with the description of this quilt, how about if we slow down (haha) and consider a few fun facts about sloths.
- Sloths live in tropical rainforests in Central and South America.
- Although they spend much of their lives hanging upside down in trees, sloths are actually fairly adept swimmers (who knew?)
- Sloth hair has grooves which support the growth of green algae which, in turn, helps provide camouflage against predators.
- Sloths are biologically related to armadillos and anteaters
- Costa Rica has a Sloth Institute that is dedicated to caring for injured and abandoned sloths and returning them to the wild.
One of the nice things about this quilt is that it featured a panel so I didn't have lots of piecing to do. As much as I do love traditional patchwork, having something easy to put together is fun, too. Here is the center of the panel featuring these cute sloths.
The back of this quilt features rainforest-type leaves. If you look closely, you can see that I selected a quilting pattern which I felt complemented the leaves.
Here is the final, completed quilt. As you can see, the quilt is built around a panel that included the center square and then the two sets of squares featuring individual sloths. All I had to do was sew the honeycomb-patterned side strips, an inner border featuring stripes, and then an outer border of rainforest leaves. It is the perfect size for an afternoon nap.
To be honest, I really don't have any deep, thoughtful reflections for closing this post. Over the past couple of months, I've found myself in a bit of a busy and mentally tiring season. These words from Paul to the Ephesian church in reminding us how we as believers ought to walk, provide a reminder of the need to renew our minds.
… be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. Ephesians 4:23-24
