Baby Boy - Puppy Love - Completed quilt

I am sew pleased with the finished Puppy Love quilt!

This project was my first for a few things. One is that it is the first quilt I have ever made using this batting - a combination poly/cotton.  It is fluffier than cotton, but nicer to work with than polyester.  And it's cuddly!

Another first was that I used a flannel backing. And I love it. It's so soft!

The third first for me was using this great tutorial for adding a binding with flange.  It is completely sewn by machine.  And is the first one I have tried that I was thoroughly pleased with in the end.  This method does leave a seam on the back, but I used the same white thread in the bobbin that I used to quilt and piece the whole quilt.

 

Here is a close up of the quilting.  This was also the first quilt I have made by pressing the seams open.  And I am certainly glad I tried it.  I had no trouble getting the seams to line up.  Pinning them was not so bad.  The open seams forced me out of my 'quilt in the ditch' comfort zone.  I've always admired the quilting by +Rita Hodge on her patchwork quilts.  The different block sizes in this design mean that my seams do not run all the way across the quilt and so this method of quilting also allowed me to turn around and come back out.  No tied off and hidden ends!

I asked my son, Russell, which puppy was his favorite.  He liked the brown one in the top right corner, but I love the little Scottie.

Another label by Spoonflower used.  I ladder stitched the top and left side by hand and sewed the right and bottom side on with the binding, which is applied first to the back and then wrapped to the front.  I like the way the wonky dog bones quilting is stitched right through the label!

I am so revved up about this little quilt.  And can't wait until tomorrow.... when I start choosing fabrics for a girl's version using this design... in a kitten theme.

And then maybe a forest friends one.  Or farm animals.  Because I'd also like to do a gender neutral quilt.  

This is exactly why I am glad to have found a method of machine binding that I am happy with.  I have all these ideas piling up and can't wait to get at the next one!

Do you think about your next quilting project before you even finish with the one you're on?