Nelly’s Parade

Posted on October 15, 2017 by craftycreeky

It’s happy dance time on Nelly’s Parade! I have finally finished the elephant quilt for my daughter Helen, it’s only about 12 months since she asked me! Last week I set too and finished the quilting, which as usual (for something I was putting off!) it didn’t take half as long as I expected.

Earlier this week I started stitching the binding on, I’ve finally got the knack of doing the mitred corners without having to find the instructions in a book. I always hand-stitch the binding down which does take a good evening but I think it gives a much neater finish.It’s also one of those jobs you can do without thinking really, have a good day dream and before you know it it’s done. Zach, our old dog, otherwise known as my little black shadow, decided I needed some company!

I tend to label my quilts directly on the back, rather than attaching a separate label. I followed the line of the quilting and just did simple back-stitch letters. Usually I do this freehand, but this time I decided to use my silver gel pen and I must admit it was easier. I added a silver elephant button which is one I saved from a dress I made Helen when she was a toddler.

I gave Helen the choice of quilt names, Elephants on Parade or Nelly’s Parade. She chose Nelly’s Parade which I was pleased about as it was my favourite. Nelly was her nick-name as a child and of course there is Nelly the Elephant. Helen is in the  Army , so this is my Helen on parade…

So, to sum up this quilt, the original pattern was Elephants by Laundry Basket Quilts, in the end I just used the main elephant applique pattern and changed the layout to make it the size I wanted. The fabrics are all batiks, mainly from my stash, the backing fabric is a batik with elephants on. The tails and tufts of hair were embroidered in perle thread, the eyes are little black buttons.

It measures approximately 70″ square and as such is the biggest quilt I’ve tackled on my little sewing machine, quilting it in strips definitely helped when moving it around.

I’m really pleased with this one and more importantly, Helen loves it 🙂


I’m linking up with Kathy’s Quilts for Slow Stitching Sunday, a celebration of hand-sewing, why not follow the link and see what everyone else has been stitching.

About craftycreeky

I live in a busy market town in Yorkshire with my husband, kids, dogs and chickens. I love trying new crafts, rediscovering old ones, gardening, walking...anything creative really I started this blog after my New Year resolution worked so well. My resolution (the first one I've ever kept!) was to post a photograph of my garden on Facebook every day. My hope was that I would then see what was good in the garden and not just weeds and work, which was my tendency. The unexpected side-effect was that I have enjoyed many more hours in the garden. I am hoping that 'The Crafty Creek' will have the same effect. Happy creating!
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32 Responses to Nelly’s Parade

  1. Quilter Kathy says:
    October 15, 2017 at 5:37 pm

    OMG so fabulous! I just love all the special touches you added to make the quilt extra precious!
    Great way to label a quilt with the hand stitched words!
    Congrats on this finish!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. Catherine says:
    October 15, 2017 at 5:39 pm

    This is so fabulous! Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful quilt with us along the way! Maybe it’s because I love elephants, but this is just fantastic! I bet your daughter will love it!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. CurlsnSkirls says:
    October 15, 2017 at 5:46 pm

    CONGRATULATIONS!
    You’ve made a lovely quilt your Helen will treasure always.
    (My, they both do look grand on parade!)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. Suzanne says:
    October 15, 2017 at 5:51 pm

    It definitely was worth the wait….beautiful finish!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. craftyboutiquebytam says:
    October 15, 2017 at 6:37 pm

    oh wow!!!!! It turned out beautiful!!! The name is perfect. You did a fantastic beautiful job! =)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  7. Debbie says:
    October 15, 2017 at 7:27 pm

    A stunning quilt, what beautiful fabrics and colours.
    I am sure your daughter will love it.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. kathyreeves says:
    October 15, 2017 at 8:48 pm

    No surprise that she loves it! It is such a u owe and wonderful gift!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  9. katechiconi says:
    October 15, 2017 at 10:41 pm

    What a smart turnout, both Nelly and Helen on parade!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  10. CathieJ says:
    October 16, 2017 at 1:53 am

    What a beautiful quilt. I adore the fabric colors.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  12. tialys says:
    October 16, 2017 at 6:51 am

    Of course she loves it – it’s beautiful and the button is such a special touch.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  13. Sarah says:
    October 16, 2017 at 5:29 pm

    Great job. It’s a lovely quilt and gorgeous fabrics!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  14. Deb says:
    October 17, 2017 at 1:46 am

    Instead of a like button there should be a I love it button!❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  15. Crazyqstitcher says:
    October 17, 2017 at 3:15 am

    Wonderful quilt with so much love and work incorporated into it. Such a special gift for Helen.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  16. Trisha says:
    October 18, 2017 at 8:22 pm

    Beautiful quilt!

    Like

    Reply
  17. Kate says:
    October 19, 2017 at 3:03 am

    Love the elephants, and the extra embellishments you added!

    Like

    Reply

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