I have been quite busy over the last couple of weeks making a present for our next door neighbours' new baby who was born last Thursday. I decided that I would not make a quilt but something a bit different. I applied my usual rule for presents of making as much as possible of it from fabric that was already in my stash. I did very well because I also found I had wadding and backing fabric so no shopping required. Here it is:
The design is by Margaret Rolfe from her book 'A Quilter's Ark'. This book was published in 1997 and I made one or two things from it then. I was surprised to see that it is still available but I can see why people might want to make the designs as they are rather fun. The blocks are foundation pieced.
I found it quite fiddly as it was a long time since I had worked this way and the blocks are quite small. They are finished with hand embroidery.
In the past I have enlarged the pattern to make larger blocks that can be used on their own. The book includes a wonderful Noah's Ark which would be great for a really special child but after doing this hanging, I realise it would also be quite a large piece of work as each animal appears twice.