Have you finished stitching all of your little sea creatures? We spent two hours this morning searching for Truffles the turtle... I'm sure she was packed safely with her little friends just a few weeks ago but when we opened their box this morning she was nowhere to be seen! She had truffled off to places unknown....
We called out... 'Truffles... Truffles...', we looked in the freezer, under the floor boards and inside mirrors... then I noticed a few stray threads poking their noses out from under a pile of papers in the office. Sure enough, Truffle had gone on her own little adventure and got stuck in a very tight spot. Dramas over, time to get cracking
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The finishing ~ part 1
I am making this mini story quilt as simple as possible in order to keep the focus on the stitched blocks. If you choose to finish yours the same as mine you'll need about 8" or 20cm of fabric for your sashings and first border which are 1" finished. (outer border will be added in The finishing ~ part 2)
Press all of your finished blocks and trim back to measure 5 1/2" wide x 7 1/2" high
Place your blocks in a 9 patch pattern... try them in different positions until your eyes are happy with the layout. This is how they appeared in the BOM order... busy little blocks full of busy little creatures going about their busy little lives...
but my eyes needed to see pretty Sorena in the top left corner...
and a couple of other changes... can you tell I'm right handed? Most of the gang are looking to the right! Which is why I decided to draw Truffle heading off to the left :)
Happy with the layout? Ok, let's move along...
Audition a few fabrics for the role of the sashings and first border... we like this one
Fresh soft green with random tiny splobs of coloured bubbles... we don't want the sashing to overpower the blocks :)
Cut five strips 1 1/2" wide x width of fabric
Cross cut these strips to yield ~
6 x 1 1/2" x 7 1/2" pieces (vertical sashings)
2 x 1 1/2" x 17 1/2" pieces (horizontal sashings)
2 x 1 1/2" x 23 1/2" pieces (first border - sides)
2 x 1 1/2" x 19 1/2" pieces (first border - top and bottom)
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Sew a 7 1/2" piece between the blocks and press towards the sashing (which really isn't as lime as it looks in these photos...)
Sew a 17 1/2" piece between the rows and press towards the sashing
Are you keeping up?
Add the 23 1/2" side borders, press towards the borders
Add the top and bottom borders, press towards the borders
The finishing ~ part 2 will include adding the outer borders and corner stones, quilting, binding and finishing our mini story quilt... I just need to find the right fabric :)
In the meantime, let your imagination run a little and invent some nonsense for each block... have fun
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Now, I promised it would be worth the wait... because...
delicious detail...
We have a new pattern - 'White Christmas'... a festive table set - and, of course, a giveaway... :)
Leave your details on this post and I'll draw the winners next week from the pink bucket... who knows, there might even be a surprise!
seeya
Cheryl xx
Thanks for UNDER THE SEA! can't wait to see it finished
Posted by: sandra | October 16, 2010 at 02:04 AM
I have saved all patterns for under the sea, but not yet started. But some day.... when I am not too busy. I love you christmas table set, please put my name in the pink bucket.
Posted by: Laila L S | October 11, 2010 at 03:48 AM
Thank you so much Cheryl for sharing your gorgeous pattern with us over the past months. I absolutely love your new Christmas pattern too. It's always a pleasure to look over your site and see what fun you've been up to.
Warm hugs,
Ruthie
[email protected]
[email protected]
Posted by: Ruthie Peterburg | October 10, 2010 at 08:21 AM
Under the Sea is so beautiful Cheryl. Love the softness of it. Thank you for sharing it.
Love the White Christmas set.
Posted by: Marilyn Duncan | October 08, 2010 at 08:59 AM
I love your BOM and the christmas table topper ist cute. I'd love to win :-)
Posted by: Fabraholic | October 07, 2010 at 06:51 PM
Love the Christmas Table set. Would like to make it myself. Love coming to your site...
[email protected]
Posted by: Claire | October 07, 2010 at 02:46 AM
How gorgeous! Glad to be back. Rachelee x
Posted by: Rachelle | October 06, 2010 at 09:30 PM
Love your White Christmas table topper. Love the red and white. I just started the Under the Sea blocks. I will finish it for my granddaughter who loves fishies. Thanks for the great patterns.
Posted by: Sewingforfun | October 06, 2010 at 09:58 AM
Nice touch with the Holly leaves.
Posted by: Patti | October 06, 2010 at 07:18 AM
A great Christmas pattern.
Posted by: Billie K | October 05, 2010 at 01:18 PM
I love the christmas table set. What a great giveaway.
Posted by: Janice | October 05, 2010 at 09:11 AM
Under the Sea turned out so cute. Well done.
Love the new little pattern. I would love to be included in the giveaway.
Posted by: Carrie P. | October 05, 2010 at 05:38 AM
Under the Sea is fabulous.
Thanks for the great giveaway too.
Posted by: sandra | October 04, 2010 at 04:19 PM
A nice simple pattern for the holidays. The added holly is just the right touch. And your right moving the Under the sea people around makes for a better set. When you get Part 2 of the borders figured out are you going to pdf them for us? I've been thinking of giving each block a little twist before setting them. haven't decided yet. Thanks for all your patterns.
Posted by: Lline | October 04, 2010 at 02:05 PM
White Christmas is absolutely adorable! It would be so pretty on my table/hutch.
Posted by: Mary on Lake Pulaski | October 04, 2010 at 11:24 AM
I love the way this quilt has turned out! I hate to say thought that I haven't even started it yet - still finishing up veranda views! Oh well.... I'll get there slowly :)
Lovely table runner too...
lv,
Joy
Posted by: Joy | October 04, 2010 at 10:49 AM
Love your sea creatures and christmas table set. And I love pink too!!! I see my name in the pink bucket! Thanks :)
Posted by: Penny | October 04, 2010 at 10:09 AM
Cheryl, I absolutely love the sashing fabric in your "Under the Sea", it is perfect. I can't wait to see the entire finished piece. And...Oh My Gosh! The "White Christmas" table set is GORGEOUS! Truly, just beautiful. I really need to get some Holiday things done. Okay, so to be eligible for the giveaway I have to leave my details....hmmmmmm...well, I'm 5'9", I weigh...well, never mind that. I'm ... well nevermind how old I am, let's just say older than dirt! Brown hair...well, white if I let it grow out, LOL. Can't think of any other details just now, OH...I wear a size 10 ladies shoe, does that help? LOL! Sorry, I'm in a silly, happy mood this morning. I actually get to go downstairs and sit at my sewing machine today! I might even turn it on! *wink* Yup, the doctor took the leash off and told me to go back to normal activity, finally. So after 3 1/2 months, I get to make some quilt blocks today. Hoping to get a couple of your adorable 'Pin Pillows' made too. Now, about the giveaway, if you don't do international on your giveaways, that's okay too. I just had to let you know how wonderful the new projects are. Have a wonderful day! Hugs... OH, and I have a question...is Miss Felicity Fine Feathers available yet? Soooo cute!
Posted by: Nancy | October 04, 2010 at 03:39 AM
Thank you for the finishing directions. It's nice to see it all together and it's so adorable. Really like the new Christmas table set pattern too. You're so talented!
Posted by: Wendy | October 03, 2010 at 09:01 PM
Really love the way the under the sea quilt looks, and the Christmas table runners. Would like to have my name in the pink bucket
Chrissie
Posted by: Chrissie Poole | October 03, 2010 at 08:30 PM
Love your table set and "under the sea"! Thanks for sharing the "under the sea" pattern with us!
Posted by: Janelle | October 03, 2010 at 08:07 PM
under the sea is coming together so nicely, I didn't stitch along as I was already doing another bom, but I have saved the patterns. The new Christmas runner is so bright and cheery, congratulations on another lovely pattern.
Posted by: Kerry | October 03, 2010 at 05:17 PM
What a delightful and fun quilt, Cheryl! Don't those sea critters play nicely together? As a whole they look as amazing as they do individually, lovely idea to keep the frame simple to showcase their characters!
Gorgeous new project too sweetheart! Love the candy cane stripe binding, and the fabrics are from one of my favourite ranges - traditional yet bright and trendy at the same time!
Catch you soon! Love and hugs!!! Theresa xxx
Posted by: sewusefuldesigns.blogspot.com | October 03, 2010 at 04:34 PM
I love the pink bucket....it promises surprises and joy.
Posted by: Chriss | October 03, 2010 at 03:51 PM
The Christmas pattern is very pretty. I hope my name is in the pink bucket.
Posted by: Janet | October 03, 2010 at 12:19 PM
I love the way you set your blocks. They truly tell a story. And the table set is beautiful. Thank you for the giveaway.
[email protected]
Posted by: Lina | October 03, 2010 at 11:28 AM
Truffles??!! Truffles??!! No WONDER why she got lost...everyone is swimming right and she's trying to go left! Who WOULDN"T get confused and lost?! Poor little sea creature. ;0
How did you find the strength to cut into your Flour Sugar fabric? It killed me to cut into mine...I was only able to do it because it was a quilt for best girlfriend. ;0 Anyway, I LOVE the placemats! So pretty. I love the table runner...so pretty. Put my name in the bucket, please. Hopefully, Truffles will draw my name from the pink bucket!
Posted by: ina | October 03, 2010 at 10:39 AM
I just love the Under The Sea series......I'll do mine like yours I think.....too cute!!
Love the new set.....I absolutely LOVE roses too! HOpe I win!!
hugs, Terri
Posted by: Terri | October 03, 2010 at 07:47 AM
I am so happy to see how under the sea all comes together. I love this project! The new pattern looks wonderful too. Thanks so much for sharing your talent with us Cheryl!
Posted by: Ruth B | October 03, 2010 at 07:09 AM
I love the under the sea, you did a great job!
Posted by: Robin Crittenden | October 03, 2010 at 05:08 AM
Cheryl this is the perfect setting, it showcases the blocks without overpowering them - it just frames them. This is how I'll do mine too.
I LOVE White Christmas - when I hear those words, I think of Bing Crosby and the movie and song, and this pattern would fit perfectly in the Inn. Too gorgeous, Cheryl!
Posted by: Allie | October 03, 2010 at 04:54 AM
I have enjoyed watching the progress of these undersea critters. Such fun to see them all together.
Posted by: Leah M. | October 03, 2010 at 02:51 AM
I must hurry up to finish the stitching blocks.
Already Christmas preparations, I love the roses for the sets. That makes it very friendly.
Gabi
Posted by: Gabi | October 03, 2010 at 02:23 AM
I've finished stitching all the Under the Sea BOMs, so I'm ready to take the plunge (hee, hee) to finish this little quilt. I'll have a good play with the arrangement and share the progress on my blog. As always, I appreciate your instructions!
And thanks too for the chance to win your giveaway. You're quite generous!
Posted by: Linda | October 03, 2010 at 01:56 AM
Wow, Cheryl, they look so wonderful altogether! I'm saving the task of stitching mine for the long, cold winter! Thanks a bunch, karen
Posted by: kaholly | October 03, 2010 at 01:49 AM
I also have to finish up some other projects before starting this one, but I have saved all of the instructions and look forward to making this adorable quilt. Thank you for generously sharing with all of us!
Posted by: Marsha | October 02, 2010 at 11:12 PM
Oh, I would like to win this beautiful pattern! Thanks for the opportunity!
Posted by: Annelise | October 02, 2010 at 11:00 PM
I like tis tablerunner and placemats. I love the collors. They are a little bit diferent and that is what I like.
Posted by: Anita | October 02, 2010 at 09:52 PM
I love the fabrics that you have used in the tablerunner and placemat set, they say Christmas without being overly "Christmassy". Thanks for the very generous giveaway, please add me in.
Posted by: Kerry | October 02, 2010 at 09:40 PM
Love your bubbles on the first sashing, it is in keeping and has made me rethink my fabric choice. Also really like the table runner design, as I was going to make some (table runners) for overseas friends (for Christmas presents) out of some red waratah material I have just bought So please include me in your pink bucket and once again many thanks.
Posted by: Lyn Smith | October 02, 2010 at 06:39 PM
I have saved part 1 for assembling 'Under the Sea'. Thank you.
And I love the red colour in your Christmas Set. More bright than colours usually used for Christmas.
Please count me in your giveaway.
Jytte
Posted by: Jytte R | October 02, 2010 at 05:43 PM
Hi Cheryl,
Your Under the Sea Quilt is looking great.
Kim
Posted by: Kim | October 02, 2010 at 05:41 PM
Love the Christmas runner & placemats - quick & easy for Christmas which is coming - all too quickly again!
Posted by: Susan | October 02, 2010 at 04:35 PM
Love the white christmas table toppers and of course their very red which is the best colour!!!! Thanks for giveaway please put my name in the PINK bucket thanks! Cheryl
Posted by: Cheryl Forward | October 02, 2010 at 04:02 PM
I have yet to start on my underwater adventure but I've saved them for RON so I can start working on them over my Christmas break.Love how you've set out the blocks :) Barb.
Posted by: Barb | October 02, 2010 at 03:29 PM