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Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Crazy 'Gator

At the Seattle Modern Quilt Guild, we have "Sew & Tell" at the end of every meeting. I am always inspired by the work of my guild-mates! One night, as my friend Louise/I'm Feelin' Crafty, sat down next to me, I saw she'd brought something to share. She caught me a little off-guard when she told me, "I brought my 'gator quilt." This girl's a master at paper-piecing and had created a pattern for the cutest 'gator ever!!
Well, I am not as comfortable with paper piecing as Louise, but I couldn't resist when she called out for testers for her new pattern!! I agreed to do 1 'gator (there are 3 sizes included in the pattern), and got right to work!
I happened to have a big piece of crazy-pieced greens left over from a previous crazy-piecing frenzy, and thought it would be perfect for my 'gator. I made the small gator, which measures 9"x21". You can see there are some tiny pieces, but that's one area paper-piecing really shines. I can't say I had any trouble piecing this guy at all. Louise has him split up into several sections that went together just great. The pattern was easy to follow - though basic paper-piecing skills are assumed - and before long I had a full 'gator!
Since I was making just 1 'gator, I thought he would be perfect for an oblong pillow. I quilted the blue background to give the feel of water and really had alot of fun with that. I used Sew Katie Did's invisible zipper tutorial, which worked like a charm. It had been years since I had inserted one, so I was pleased how easy it was. Just fyi, I used a 20-22" invisible zipper, and my pillow form was 12"x30".
So the 'Gator Blog Hop is just starting! Be sure and see Louise's Release Party post, and check back in over the next 10 days to see all the other 'gators!
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June 13th- Marci Girl Designs
June 14th- I'm Feelin' Crafty- showing off other Testers work!
June 16th- Wombat Quilts
June 17th- Wips and Tuts
June 18th- Shaffer Sisters
June 19th- Crafty Shenanigans
June 20th- I'm Feelin' Crafty

The 'Gator Quilt pattern is available on Craftsy! I know you'll have as much fun with it as I did! And isn't Louise's full 'gator quilt great?!

Linking up with SEWjo Saturday.
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24 comments:

  1. KateJune 11, 2014 at 12:54 AM

    That is the cutest gator I have ever seen!

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  2. Sarah @ mila+cuatroJune 11, 2014 at 1:24 AM

    It looks great as a pillow, the crazy piecing is really effective.

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  3. SusanJune 11, 2014 at 2:33 AM

    What a unique idea! Can I call him a 'crazy croc' instead!?

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  4. EllynJune 11, 2014 at 6:18 AM

    oh man he is cute!

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  5. Tina CraigJune 11, 2014 at 6:33 AM

    Your crazy piecing makes your gator extra fun!

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  6. KateJune 11, 2014 at 8:01 AM

    Fun gator - I love the patchworky body! And the water-y quilting!

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  7. M-R CharbonneauJune 11, 2014 at 8:12 AM

    Adorable! Love your water quilting for the background too!

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  8. Taryn V.June 11, 2014 at 9:21 AM

    This is the cutest 'gator I have ever seen! It is a great block for a pillow. I love all the different green fabrics and the wavy quilting. I will definitely be adding this pattern to my cart. My hometown's only claim to fame is a reality show about a 'gator rescue, so alligators are really popular! :D

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  9. AnonymousJune 11, 2014 at 11:22 AM

    It looks fantastic!!! I love the pillow!! Yea! Thank you so much for testing for me!

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  10. Katy CameronJune 11, 2014 at 1:28 PM

    Well obviously everyone needs a 'gator in their life :oD

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  11. Amy's Crafty ShenanigansJune 11, 2014 at 1:30 PM

    I love your scrappy 'gator! he oblong cushion is perfect and your quilting is wonderful :)See you on the penultimate day of the hop!

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  12. KelliJune 11, 2014 at 1:43 PM

    you know as a UF alum I'm going to have to get this pattern!! I love your crazy-pieced gator! so cute!!

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  13. Heather @ Winding BobbinsJune 11, 2014 at 2:05 PM

    haha - that's AWESOME! Brought a smile to my face. :)

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  14. shelleyJune 11, 2014 at 3:58 PM

    He is one very cute scrap-happy gator! Just love him as a pillow too. The watery wavy quilting is perfect. Fun, fun, fun! You are so good. I want to be like you when I grow up.

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  15. AnnabellaJune 12, 2014 at 1:14 AM

    Oh how fun - my son would LOVE this!!

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  16. Marci GirlJune 12, 2014 at 7:04 AM

    Honestly, I want to make a long pillow for my boys now, it is so cute and I just love the scrappiness of him, it really turned out great and is a great pattern!

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  17. KatherineJune 12, 2014 at 8:30 AM

    Fantastic. What a cool pattern! I love your scrappy version, Debbie!

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  18. agnesJune 12, 2014 at 9:15 AM

    Love love love this scrappy gator! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  19. ShaunaJune 14, 2014 at 8:50 AM

    your gator is just too cute!!! those greens are awesome

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  20. Christine SJune 14, 2014 at 9:37 AM

    This is so cute!

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  21. MaraJune 14, 2014 at 12:21 PM

    I love yours with all of the different greens and the way you quilted the pillow form is awesome.

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  22. TiffanyJune 14, 2014 at 1:37 PM

    Awesome gator!

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  23. Ella and NestaJune 14, 2014 at 6:11 PM

    This is brilliant. It looks really good on your long cushion and I love the water effect of the quilting.

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  24. KirstenJune 14, 2014 at 10:02 PM

    Your 'gator is so cool - love all of the different greens and your wavy quilting.

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