Polar Bears Are So Cool!

Thank you to CalicoJoan of MooseStashQuilting for hosting this fun blog hop. Our mission was to make something blue, or with a bear, or with polar fleece. I hope that I got that all correct, because I made a doll blanket with a polar bear. I’ve always thought that polar bears are cool! It’s been a long time since I made a tiny blanket and this was so incredibly fun, despite it taking me awhile. (Oh, and a pair of tiny doll shorts to match.)

My polar quilted bear doll blanket. It measures 26″ x 28″ before washing.

I found the polar bear paper pieced pattern on Etsy and at $3.25, it was perfect!! The pattern was so fun and it finished at a hefty 13.5″, which was the perfect center for my doll quilt. Check out the other patterns by PatternsByShaley and you’ll find many adorable animals. Her patterns are wonderful, but not for someone just beginning to try paper piecing. I spent several hours on just the nose part, only to toss it and start over when the pieces came out crooked. I was very happy when the 13.5″ pattern was completed and the bear finally had a proper smile.

I don’t have a quilting machine and haven’t had great success so far with free motion quilting, but this time I tried something different. I quilted this on my Baby Lock Crescendo, using just straight stitching. Horizontal lines for the bear himself, vertical lines for the blue background and some x’s for the blocks all around. I love how it came out. Nope, I didn’t use a walking foot because they actually seem too bulky to me. I also didn’t wear my quilter’s gloves, since the quilt is tiny and easily managed. I just sat down and went for it, without a real plan. I am not the planner type, and for a doll quilt I can get away with just winging it. Here below is the blanket before it was quilted. You can see the bear is really white here, not the winter-white that you see later on.

My bear blanket before quilting. Lighting isn’t my specialty but you get to see the actual color of the bear…he’s very white.

I

Hi there bear!

This close up makes the bear look like it’s winter-white, but he’s actually white throughout. I took this photo at work and the lighting was weird, there are loose threads and all, but at least I’m on time for my post!

The blanket feels so small to me, but it’s for a doll that’s only 18″ tall, so I know this will work. I tend to make everything extra sized and that’s not necessary. Of course, the blanket is going to Amy of A Doll Like Me. We decided that this blanket needed some clothing to go with it, so check out these tiny cargo shorts made with the last of my polar bear fabric. I adapt many patterns and this one now has real working pockets because fake pockets annoy me, even for dolls!

Here are the tiny doll cargo shorts to match the blanket. You can easily see the background fabric that I used. It’s an old favorite print from Joel Dewberry called Abacus from his True Colors line. I almost used up the last of it. It came in pink and blue and who knows what else, but was the perfect blend fabric that I love using for back grounds.

So this is where I tell you to check out all the other projects for cool ideas. There are bound to be loads of talented artists with inspiration. See the list of bloggers below. In addition, check out the Pinterest Board.

Monday Jan 24

Creatin’ in the Sticks

Samelias Mum

Purring Cottage

Patchouli Moon Studio

Scrapdash

Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life

Tuesday Jan 25

Just Let Me Quilt

Beaquilter

Becky’s Adventures in Quilting and Travel

 Days Filled With Joy

That Fabric Feeling YOU ARE HERE!!!

Den syende Himmel

VroomansQuilts

Wednesday Jan 26

Elizabeth Coughlin Designs

Hazel’s Daughter 

Words & Stitches

Kathleen McMusing

Quilting & Learning – What a Combo!

Quilted Delights

Thursday Jan 27

Songbird Designs

Selena Quilts

Ms P Designs USA

Quilting Gail

Karrin’s Crazy World

Food for Thought

Bumbleberry Stitches

Friday Jan 28

Sew Many Yarns

Inflorescence 

Lianne Makes Stuff

Stitchin at Home

Quilt Schmilt

Lynns Beauty

MooseStashQuilting