It’s time to take a break from custom quilts.  I had to be naive to think I would have tons of free time with a newborn.  Today was the first time in weeks I had a chance to blow dry my hair versus the messy bun I have been rocking for two months.

When I start to sew and Pdog enjoys time on his activity mat, this happens.

Crying fit

This week I completed a monkey quilt for my coworker.  She wanted a quilt to be something like this.  There were still scraps left over from my two previous scrap quilts.  Here is what the quilt top looked like.

That’s until I put it in the washer.  I always wash my quilts before they go to the recipient to make sure there are no issues.  This is my first quilt with issues, let’s just say more than issues.  I think disaster is more fitting for this quilt.

I really thought just stitching the brown flannel monkeys down would hold it.  The fraying is ridiculous and not sure how I can really correct it.  No fusible interface or zig zag stitch.  Just a regular stitch.  This is a rookie mistake.

My thoughts on the quilt…

I wasn’t going to write about this disaster, but let’s be honest we all have one or two quilts that are a bust.  Are you willing to share yours?  I’d love to know I’m not alone in my sewing disaster.

As I was sorting through my fabric I found a number of vintage sheet fat quarters that I hadn’t used.  I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with them but set them out just in case something struck me.  With the small humans due date approaching I thought why not make some nursing pads for myself.

Any fabric will work, especially scrap pieces.  I chose the vintage sheets due to their softness and patterns.  Didn’t have a specific project in mind and a good way to put them to use.

Not only did I have many fabric scraps, I had many pieces of Warm & Natural cotton batting from making potholders and quilts.

Supplies:

• Fabric scraps or fat quarters work great
• Circle template ( I used this one in my set of circles)
• Batting scraps
• Fabric marker

Using the fabric marker I traced as many circles as I could onto a fat quarter and my batting scraps.  I then cut out each circle.

Note that you can see the pink marker on my items.  Since I am making them for myself I wasn’t worried about it.  If I was making for someone else, I would have used disappearing ink.

First set I put right sides of the fabric together with the batting on the outside.  Sewn together and left a spot to turn circle.  Way too bulky for practical use.

Instead I went with batting together and left the raw edge of the fabric and batting.  Use a 1/4″ straight stitch all around the outside of the pad.  Go back over with a zig zag stitch to help prevent fraying.

They wash and wear very easily.  If you know an expectant mother that plans to breastfeed, this may be a handy gift for them.