It Ain’t Easy

It ain’t easy, it ain’t easy
It ain’t easy to go ahead when you’re going down

Long John Baldry

I was side tracked a bit this week… paper piecing is to blame, yet again.

For some reason I decided that I just had to pp a fox. You see, my aunt, Mom’s older sister, passed away last week at the age of 96 leaving my mother as the only living member from a family of 9. Fox, having played a role in my mother’s childhood, is the only reason I can fathom for my urgent desire to make a fox out of fabric and paper.

I looked at many examples around the internet and finally settled on a pattern by Judit Haidu available for free on Craftsy.

The pattern is designated as a beginner skill level but I think it would really frustrate a beginner. I had several problems with it and had to unpick a few seams. The numbering system for attaching the fabrics to the template is not what I am used to. Also, about 2/3 of the way through the block you are told to tear the paper off and stitch what you have to a new template paper. Eventually I muddled through it and am fairly pleased with my results.

The block measures 7.5″ x & 7.5 unfinished.  Mom doesn’t do much cooking any more so I decided that a placemat would get more use than a hot pad.

Borders were added.

Some quilting was done – stitching in the ditch and not-so-straight line quilting. Once the binding is added I think it will be about 12″ x 16″ finished. As is usually the case, the first one is always the hardest and I would likely find making a second one much easier. If you had asked me yesterday if there was going to be a second fox block I would have said,”no”. Today I am mulling over other fabrics I could use so, I’m saying “maybe” !

In other news, I have made some progress on my Bijoux quilt. It doesn’t look like it here but the quilt should be about 68″ x 70″ once it is finished.

Yes, that’s my folded up treadmill in front of my design wall. I should really move it out of my sewing room… I’d be more likely to use it !

If you have paper pieced a fox I would love to see it and please include a link to the pattern.

Thanks for stopping by. Please leave a comment, it’s up at the top by the date.

Linking up with Freshly Pieced for WIP Wednesday.