We are at the end of the Awesome Ocean Sew Along (#AOSAL) and it is time to assemble our blocks! When we started in November with our first block , the world was a bit different. There was covid-19 but we were not all in lock down, we celebrated our holidays, and fell into the promise of a new year. For us quilters, there is solace in our quilting and I am sure you are ready to assemble this top, as I am. This project was conceived to help me keep on track for a lovely baby, AnnaLeigh, who arrived on the 30th of January, and I am so grateful to all who made the journey.
I played around a bit with the layout. I didn’t really follow the color scheme, since I was using a layer cake. Each critter was done in two different colors – with the exception of the turtles (both greens) and the seaweed. So, I tried to move them about the top to mix them up rather than keep all the blue/green ones in one section and the red/orange/pinks in another.
The assembly of this is not hard. For instance, the pairs or groups of animals remain the same. You have the angel fish with the seahorse. In one half the angel fish might be on top, in the other on the bottom. Another variation is whether a critter is on the left or right side of the unit. I suggest you lay yours out, and rearrange as you like. I used the same width of setting strips as Elizabeth Hartman suggests. I decided to add an outside border, of chunks of the layer cake. They were cut at 3 1/2″.
In the end, maybe that bottom corner is too orange, but I doubt my grand niece will care. On the whole, I think the orange colors move your eyes around the quilt.
I found and Island Batik backing that I loved and a bit of something fun for the binding. I will hold that off showing that until the final parade of quilts, one month from now – April 25th. If you have a quilt top done, I’d ask for you to email me a picture and I will post them all together, as well as have a linky party. I really can’t wait to see them all!
This is the ProSticher quilting pattern I used. It is a wider, more open design as I wanted it to be cuddly. Now, my only problem is figuring out how to get it to my darling grand niece. I so want to bring it to her, but alas, that is not possible with the cover-19 problem, so I will let you know what happens.
Now the basic information follows in case you are now thinking you really need to make this quilt and have time. Scraps work; I hardly ever used more than the 2 10″ squares, and often big hunks were left from my layer cake.
1. Get the Elizabeth Hartman’s Awesome Ocean pattern from my amazon affiliate link* or from the designer directly or in your local store.
2. The links are updated below for any completed blocks.
3. I love using the ruler, Simple Folded Corners Ruler* for all those diagonal cuts. I don’t draw lines, I just cut the corner then sew!
| Date | Block | Block Name | Bloggers |
| Nov. 17, 2019 | Fabric Choices | ||
| Nov. 23, 2019 | Block 1 | Kelp | |
| Dec. 7, 2019 | Block 2 | Octavian the Octopus | Barb |
| Dec. 21, 2019 | Block 3 | Puffy the Puffer Fish | |
| Jan. 4, 2020 | Block 4 | Angelica the Angel Fish | |
| Jan. 18, 2020 | Block 5 | Chuckles the Clown Fish | |
| Feb. 1, 2020 | Block 6 | Preppy the Whale | Rose |
| Feb, 15, 2020 | Block 7 | Tony the Turtle | Emily |
| Feb. 29, 2020 | Block 8 | Mr. Manatee | Wendy |
| Mar. 14, 2020 | Block 9 | Sally the Seahorse | |
| Mar. 28, 2020 | Top | ||
| Ap. 25, 2020 | Parade of Quilts |
Link up your Tops!
Coming Up:
ProStitcher Retreat
2020 Monthly Color Block for April
Linking Up:
TGIFF
What I Made Monday
Cooking Up Quilts
Favorite Finish Monthly LinkUp
Midweek Makers
Friday Foto Fun
Put Your Foot Down
UFO Busting
Oh my gosh…this is absolutely gorgeous! You’ve done a beautiful job on it. I’d give you a big hug, but oops… we can’t do that right now! Please accept this hearty round of applause as a consolation prize instead!
And what a great hug that was! I am really pleased. Now to find out how my niece wants to receive it..washed or not, after the virus, before the child is 20, etc…
Hi Kathleen! What a great quilt for your great-niece. Aww, that’s just a shame that you can’t see her to give it to her in person. That bites. I love the colorful border! Those rectangles really pull the fabric colors out of the quilt. I can’t wait to see what you backed it with and the binding. Take care, my friend. ~smile~ Roseanne
Yes, you got it right – it bites. My other niece, her sister, is pregnant and due in July so that baby is next. AND there was to be a shower, now who knows when that will happen. I do think the rectangles were just the right extra pizzaz! I love the backing and the binding, and you will see it soon. You and Sue take care too!
Love your finished top! I don’t think there is too much orange in that corner; I like your ranges of colors.
Do you want pictures of finished tops or completed quilts? And do you want completed quilts saved until April 25th? My top is done and ready to layer and quilt; I suspect I’ll have it done in the next two weeks. This has been so much fun!
I think the colors worked out fine. I have never planned one all the way, and decided not to start now. I would love whatever you have for the parade of quilts – a finished top or a completed quilts. You don’t have to save it for blogging, do it as you choose. If you do blog send me that link (so I don’t have to remember) and I’ll use it in the parade!!!
Fabulous finish Kathleen! Can’t wait to see the full finish as I love that quilting motif. And the backing…
It is a fun quilt, I really enjoyed doing it and can’t wait to get it to my new niece. Have to consult with her mother on protocols in this new age.
Wow, great job, Kathleen!!! I can’t wait to see it with that fun quilting! I feel for you, not being able to give it to AnnaLeigh in person. Yet!
Thank you, Nancy. It is rough not being able to hold that little one in person. One day soon I hope.
I would say one awesome quilt!!
You are too sweet!
This is really beautiful, I love all her patterns!
#stayhome #staysafe ❤️
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// http://zarkadia.com/2020/03/meadowland-quilt-wip //
Your Awesome Ocean quilt is gorgeous! Yes, remember times before COVID-19… Hopefully a cure, and preventative treatment ,will be found very soon.
Thank you, Danice. I am with you on that hope.
Congratulations on a fabulous, cheerful, adorable and a darling quilt top. It has so many little pieces – it is a labor of love. Only a very lucky person will get that quilt. Sending hugs and best wishes. Stay safe and stay sane-ish :-p
Yes, it is for a special little darling who one day I will get to hold and not want to put down! Hope you and Paul are doing well. Sane-is is having its movements and I do feel at times more anxious than I’d like but it passes.
Oh my, yours turned out beautifully….wonderful job and awesome sew along
It was really fun wasn’t it? I loved making it and having great friends sew along!
What a great finish! This is wonderful and your grand niece will love it! Thanks for sharing on Wednesday Wait Loss.
It is a special quilt and so happy to share on your linky party!
Love love love this top. It’s so adorable and the colors you chose are perfect. Thank you so much for linking up to Put your foot down.
My pleasure to link up and so glad you like the quilt!