Hugs and Kisses!

Hugs and Kisses Baby Quilt

 

When the

was announced,

I knew just what pattern I wanted to make!

Katniss helped me find the fabric

 

This is a "tried and true" free pattern that

I found several years ago on the internet. 

It is from QuiltPox. Click here for this Free Pattern. 

 

I started with these fabrics.

I pulled the pink and greens and I am saving the red/brown/pink white for another "someday" project.

Cutting Complete

NOTE:  If you are making this whole quilt pattern, there  is an error on the QuiltPox site in the cutting chart.  You will need to cut DOUBLE the amount of background strips as listed in the instructions in order to get enough fabric to cut the pieces needed. The number of squares and rectangles IS CORRECT as stated. I have emailed the administrator of this site but received no reply.  The site no longer appears to be active at this time.  The free patterns are a great legacy for online quilters.

 

On to the sewing ...

chain piece

nest seams

have quilty kitty inspect

 

pin and remove

 

]

or no pins

 

I very often do not pin these easy to match seams, just nest them carefully and align them by touch as they go under the presser foot.  My eyesight is not good so I do a lot by of things by touch and feel.

 

Press all one way

 

Note:  When piecing the blocks together, turn the x's one way and the o's the other so that the pressed seams will be in opposite directions for easy nesting of the seams.

 

Xs and Os

layout

top complete

 

a pieced back

For the backing, I needed to come up with a piecing plan as I am only using fabrics from my stash and I did not find enough anything I liked to use as a whole back.  I like pieced backs anyway sometimes.  So I used a pink calico and the rest of a white tone on tone to make a "double zipper" back and included one of the ...

 Scrappy Pink Heart Blocks that I made for the RSC2013.

 

On to the quilting! ...

 

I did straight line echo quilting to make the Xs and Os stand out

The quilting took me about a week with many breaks to rest my hands and back.  Photos and story of my quilting journey.

quilting complete!

quilting closeup

hand sewing the binding to the back 

Quilt Complete!

 

Backing

Quilty Kitty Approved

Katniss and I are very pleased with this quilt.
 



Over the years, I have made block for this quilt pattern in a variety of baby fabrics and colors with the Quilt & Needle Quilty Aunties to welcome many babies into this world.  One of my most popular posts is this one, More Blooms and Baby Quilts, where I have a picture of one of these scrappy group quilts which I quilted and bound ...

 

Scrappy Hugs and Kisses Quilty Auntie Baby Quilt

 

This is my favorite baby quilt pattern and I hope you will enjoy it, too.

 

Once I started making hearts, I could not stop and I have also made couple of smaller projects ...

 Hugs & Kisses  Mini Quilt

 close up

... made with one extra  block.  When I home quilt a quilt on my regular sewing machine, I like to do a test project of my planned quilting and batting before I start quilting the larger quilt.  I finally decided to go with the straight line quilting on the Mini Quilt for the larger quilt.  In the process, I also tried FMQ and a heart shape so ...

 

I also made a couple of ...
Heart Shaped Mug Rugs!

White Edge Heart Mug Rug, machine binding

 

Pink Edge Heart Mug Rug, hand-sewn binding

 

 

For my Hugs & Kisses Giveaway, I will use a random number generator to select one lucky winner to receive one of these Mug Rugs.  I will even let my winner chose which one.  To enter to win, please leave me one lovely comment and be sure that I can contact you by email to let you know that you have won and to get your address. You do not have be a follower to be eligible.  Also, if you do not wish to be in the giveaway and wish to comment, please do so and just tell me that you do not wish to be a part of the giveaway.  I will send my Mug Rug anywhere in the world.

For a second chance to win, leave a second comment telling me you are a follower.

One winner will be chosen at random from all entries by midnight February 15th EST.

The winner will be announced here on my blog on February 16th.
 



To get many more Hugs and Kisses,

please also visit all the other blogs on the hop today ...

Monday February 11th

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts

Sowing Stitches

The Fuzzy Hat Quilter

Quilt Swissy

Ninis Patchwork

Mrs. Pickles Garden

Patchouli Moon Studio

Life in the Scrapatch (you are here!)

Meadowbrook

 

Thanks to Jane and to Madame Samm

for running this lovely blog hop!

So you do not miss a stop, you may find the

Full Blog Hop Schedule Here

Thanks for stopping by and visiting me!

Have a Happy Heart Day!

[Tuesday, Feb 12th EDIT:  I am so happy that so many have enjoyed my post and have left me wonderfully encouraging comments. I love visiting and sharing and making new quilty friends online. I shall be enjoying the fun hugs and kisses all week. Thank You, everyone!]

XOXOXO

<3