Finished Size is 17.5 x 18.5 to fit her nightstand.
I designed this quilt to....
1. Match her newly painted room but not too matchy
2. Cover her nightstand that I have yet to freshen it's paint
3. Get her involved in the design process
4. Make her what she likes
I also wanted to try a technique that I haven't seen anyone else do... use regular old craft stamps and washable stamping ink as an embroidery pattern.
I gave her probably too many color options to choose from but she really wants and "all blue" room with any matching mermaid colors (I interpret that as watercolor pastels).
I was happy with the fabric choices except for the binding... it's not as matching as I'd like but still very pretty. My little mermaid chose the embroidery images and floss colors.
I'm happiest with the octopus and his French knot tentacles. I love making French knots and had the most fun with this little guy. I started with a two strand and thought the knots were too big so I switched to one strand and I was super happy I did.
I tried to coax her into a light coral for the fish and a greener blue for the whale. But she didn't budge. I decided to give the fish a darker face to brighten him up but the whale and octopus got a grayer face.
Look how great it looks with the lamp I'm refinishing. That turtle was once a lady bug that I had to fill, prime and paint. She loves the sea creatures.
I used a super light pink fabric that was once her baby sheets. Great color but stretchy. I can tell I'm improving because although it's a little wonky, it's not awkward and that didn't throw my finished size off at all. Last year this time, it would have been ugly. I stitched in the ditch and gave a few extra machine quilted straight lines. I did ok. I would have liked more quilting so I should have thought more about how I was going to quilt it during my design. These were the best corners I've made as it didn't take me long to pin the miters or stitch them closed and both came out very well.
Overall... my little mermaid is very happy, I had lots of fun and it came out pretty good.
Yay.
