We don’t have to pretend this is pretty or brilliantly executed. If you wear glasses, it’s best to view it with them off. The fabrics, which perhaps might be fine on their own, do not particularly go together. I didn’t pick them out. They are the result of a polka dot exchange at the July DMQG meeting. I used them to test this pattern, which I’m planning to use to make a baby quilt soon. I learned/tried some new some things:

1. It’s important to match thread color to fabric when appliqueing on the curved pieces. I used satin stitch, which I don’t particularly care for, because the pattern called for it. I’ll probably go back to my usual blanket stitch for the larger quilt.
2. If you have directional fabrics, pay attention when you cut the curved pieces.
3. The adjoining fabrics can’t share colors in background or design or they disappear into each other. That’s why I outlined the multi-colored-on-white polka dot with green thread when it joined the tan-on-white polka dot. The same problem exists where the white-on-pink meets the multi-on-white block.
4. I had to piece my batting, which I’d never done, and that went well.
5. I tried out a curved border for the first time. That was kind of fun. No corners to turn.

These blocks are 5″ finished. The baby quilt will be 7″ squares. Everything about making this quilt tells me the larger quilt will be easier. The curves will be more gentle and easier to go around. I added the 4-patch center block just to be able to use more of the fabrics I was given. I didn’t have enough of any of those three to cut a 5.5″ square.

Maybe I’ll put this in the bottom of the cat carrier for trips to the vet.