Hocus Pocus

I recently purchased 3 Times the Charm and have been excited to try out a pattern or two. I love the look of charm packs and frequently pick them up. Sadly, they usually sit just looking pretty. This book offers hope that they will finally be put to use!

Choosing a pattern and grabbing a charm pack, I got busy sewing. As seems to be the situation with so many things I make, I learned much as I went and think I will be better prepared with the projects that follow. For instance, I have not pieced blocks and then cut them down to size. I made the mistake of just being consistent in my cuts, trusting that my original sewing was spot-on. I failed to consider the true center of the block might not have been where I anticipated. Rather than dwell on this, I prefer to claim the prevalent trend of the wonky block. ;)

Then there was my thrifty attitude toward the project. In hindsight, it's really hard to call this project, finishing at about 40x40, thrifty. Still, attempting to keep the cost low, I was as skimpy with the fabric as possible. The problem is that this left me a wee bit short on the back. The quick problem-solve was a nice, wide binding to make up the difference where I was lacking.

And finally, the quilting. The bulk of my FMQ has been meandering. Not long ago, a quilter shared another simple FMQ design. Well, I thought it would be simple, but I was wrong. Despite practicing the motion quite a bit, I just couldn't pull it off...yet. So, I decided to try something else I haven't done before, loop-d-loops. Easier than my original plan, I clearly still have a ways to go before I feel like I achieve a polished look. Well, practice and a mid-arm, ha-ha!

Something that came together amazingly well was the scrappy back. I've never done a scrappy back before and I'm rather tickled with how it came out. Initially I wished I hadn't been in such a hurry to slap it together, but I actually think that my lack of thought really enabled a more successful piece.

So UFO #1 is complete. The biggest question is what the heck to do with the quilt? I had no plan when I started it and have yet to come up with something. I'm having a hard time thinking outside the box. All I see is a Halloween Baby Quilt, but who would want that? Help find me a purpose! What would you do with this quilt?

P.S. Foot-warmer has already been suggested by my husband. *sigh*