More Dr. Seuss

Do you also play with leftover fabrics, after finishing a quilt? I had quite a bit left form my Dr. Seuss  project, enough to make a baby quilt. I usually make baby quilts by a "quilt as you go" method.

I start with a piece of backing fabric and a piece of a similar size batting. This time I spray basted them together, sometimes I just pin the layers (depending on the size). I then sew my leftover pieces and scraps  into strips,  about 4 inches shorter than the backing and as many as will fit.

After I've decide on the arrangement, I pin the first strip along one side of the prepared backing/batting, then line up the second strip on top, right sides together, pinning as well, and sew with a quarter inch seam along the side through all layers.  Then I flip over the top strip and press it well. I continue with the next strip in the same manner until all the strips are sewn on. If you wish, you could now add borders (if there's enough space on the backing/batting).

After I've put the binding on, I decided it needed  a bit more quilting since the strips on this quilt are quite wide.

Finished!

Vreni

Dr. Seuss

Wile making this quilt, I fell in love again with Dr. Seuss' charming and imaginative characters. It also made me a bit sentimental as I remembered the time when my kids were at the age when they made their first reading attempts.

I used two "Cat in the Hat" panels as well a several coordinated fat quarters from Dr. Seuss Enterprises fabrics by  Robert Kaufman. I cut the panels apart and put the individual prints on my design wall in a "pleasing way". After that it was just a matter of filling in the blank spaces in between and around the blocks with strips. Some of those strips are pieced and some are not. It might not be a very scientific way to plan and make a quilt, but it's rather a fun and fast. I then free motion machine quilted it; a piece of cake with my Bernina 820.

Some of the leftover panels adorn the back of the quilt!

I've made this quilt for DD who is going to teach a second grade class next school year. I thought it would be a nice addition to her class room.

The binding, all ready to be sewn on. I love the colour combination and I think I might use it as inspiration for my next (or the one thereafter) quilt.

I leave you with my favorite Dr. Seuss quote:

“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”

Vreni

Lemonade Biscuits

I made these for my quilting group the other week. Since they went down rather well, I thought I will share the recipe here. They taste wonderful right from the fridge or even the freezer, especially on a hot summer day.

125g (1 stick)  butter, softened

130 g (2/3 cup) sugar

1 egg yolk

1 tbsp grated lemon zest

1 tsp vanilla

135g  (1 cup plus 2 tbsp) flour

1/2 tsp salt (I use less)

Glaze 

75 g (3/4 cup) powdered sugar

1 tbsp plus 1 tsp lemon juice

Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Beat in egg yolk, zest and vanilla. Then gently beat in flour and salt until dough holds together. Press into a ball and divide in two. Roll into two small logs, wrap into cling film and chill.

To bake, preheat oven to 190 degrees C (375 degrees F).  Lightly grease two baking sheets or  line with parchment paper. Cut each log across width into 1 cm (3/8 inch) slices.  Arrange slices on baking sheet at least 2 to 3 cm (1 inch) apart.  Bake for about 10 minutes, until edges are golden and centers set.  Transfer to racks to cool.

For glaze; in a small bowl whisk together sugar and lemon juice until smooth and thick enough to spread.  Thin with a few drops lemon juice or thicken with sugar if needed. Hold each biscuit along the edge and spread a thin layer of glaze with a small spatula.

Makes about 30.  

Enjoy

Vreni