DrEAMi! Monthly Link Up/Jinx, A Patchwork Blankie

I wasn't planning on writing a separate post for Sandra/MMM! Quilt's September's DrEAMi! Link Up.  I thought it was going to be quick and simple, just link up to my recent post which included the Halloween coverlet I made for my granddaughter Micah (you can read about it here).  But soon after I posted this past Friday and about ready to mail the quilt in a USPS Priority Mail Box, Medium Size, I noticed how much room was still left in the box and thought I should just make another coverlet which I told my Hubby doesn't take much time at all and we can mail the box on Saturday.  It is now Sunday evening, and the above coverlet was finished several hours, just in time before the sun went down.  Sorry for the dusky photo but I needed something to show for this post.

My bright idea was jinxed as soon as I said this would take no time to make it.

• First of all, I was just starting to sew the six baby quilts for the Blanket Ministry and since I still had time left to finish them, I put the project aside and pulled out the six fat quarters of gray and citron yellow prints I had just found and put aside for a future quilt for Micah.  I have a favorite pattern I like to use to make baby quilts with six fat quarters, (you can read about it here) and wouldn't you know it, I cut one of the fat quarters wrong and had to come up with a new pattern.  This meant I had to find another fabric with citron yellow and not just yellow and also some other gray prints. By the time I found the additional fabrics and came up with a different pattern, I could have completed the top or maybe two of them.
• Of course, there were the inevitable re-sewing some of the patches because I'm still having problems with the 1/4" seam when I sew on Hazel, my new sewing machine, and the one row which was sewn upside down.
• I was planning on backing the top with a piece of IKEA gray-striped fleece which I assumed would work but I read the Care Label which stated, Wash in Warm Water, Do Not Tumble Dry or Iron which, to me, meant that it should not be near a heat source and seeing that this was for Micah it would be too risky to use. Too bad I didn't read this before the fleece was already laid and clamped down on the basting table.  Fortunately I have a stash of Gray Minky Dot to replace it.
• There was a slight problem where the seam line of the binding matched perfectly with the corner of the quilt and even though I adjusted it, it still happened and I just didn't want to have to rip out and resew the binding--it worked out fine, just annoying.

The one good thing that came out of all the reflecting I did during this jinx-filled sewing experience was that I called these Coverlets because I did not put batting in between the top and the Minky which to me still makes a nice, snuggly covering.  I'm now going to be calling them Patchwork Blankies when I'm making them for babies/young children.  I already call them Patchwork Throws when I've made them bigger for adults.

And the lesson learned from my bright idea of wanting to fill up the box in order to get my moneys worth--next time find a smaller box.  The Blankies, once wrapped in plastic, will be mailed tomorrow. There's still room left for the Binky which Micah left behind and not much else.

In order for your project to be considered a DrEAMi!, it's supposed to be something you see on Pinterest, a blog, publication, etc. and you drop whatever you're doing in order to make it.  I've included in my guidelines, and I just made this comment to another Blogger, anything for my Granddaughter takes precedent over other projects, so making a Patchwork Blankie for her comes first, regardless if a box is involved. 

BTW, it's good that I did write a post today being that one year ago today I started my blog and wrote just this one paragraph with no photographs:

"Thanks to the encouragement of Susan Snooks, PatchworknPlay, I finally decided to start a blog so I can share my latest patchwork and quilting creations and the explanation that is sometimes needed.  This blogspot is still under construction but I'm seeing this as a way to keep track of my activity so bear with me my two followers."

After writing a few more paragraphs, including photos and having a few more followers, I'm happy to say my first year of blogging has been a wonderful experience. I do love being a part of Blogland.  I am thankful for the many friends I have made and for the new blogs, linky parties and inspiration I have found.  I appreciate everyone who read and/or follow my blog and appreciate all of the nice comments that have been made.  I am looking forward to sharing my quilts, thoughts, ideas and maybe some of my craziness  and to continue being inspired by my fellow bloggers.

Thanks again!

Linking up with:  mmm! Quilts