Meet Darwin the dapple Chi-weenie (Chihuahua x Dachsund) he is the muse for this quilt. Actually the quilt is a Christmas present for his ‘parents’ Chris and Michelle our son and daughter-in-law. I saw a quilt like this on Pinterest and thought it would make a great lap quilt. I couldn’t find a pattern for it anywhere so I just made up my own based on the picture and the finished dimensions I wanted to the quilt to be.
I started out with the first group of fabrics. After Don did a little convert Detective work when he was visiting the kids in late September, I managed to get a few more pictures and video of Darwin. I quickly realized that I needed much more grey/black fabric and not so much brown. So after several trips to local quilt shops I assembled the second group of fabrics. I decided to cut all the pieces that made up Darwin as well as the background pieces that fit around him. I wanted to figure out the best way to assemble them in order to make ‘blocks’ that fit together. Darwin and the background are starting to take shape:
I was hoping to use a lighter background so that there would be more contrast between it and Darwin but I couldn’t find a fabric a liked. I picked this darker blue with golden paw prints on it to keep with the doggie theme.
I like to try something new on every quilt I make. On Darwin I tried trapunto for the first time. I wanted his body to stand out from the background.
I finally got him on the longarm at the end of November just in time for Christmas. I used a smallish floral swirl FMQ design to help push the dark fabric into the background and let Darwin be the star of the quilt.
And finally all finished. I used a cute dog print on the back and binding.
Update: 2014AUG08
I’ve entered this quilt in the Pets on Quilt Show @Lilypad Quilting
I love your Darwin quilt! It really looks like him, in an artful manner….
He is so cute.
cute dog! Love the pictures of you other dogs and quilts!
That is a very fitting quilt for a real cutiepie!
Darwin just bowls you over with cuteness! That is so neat that you made a quilt inspired by him!
Darwin is adorable, his coloring is so beautiful.
Darwin is very cute!
What an adorable idea for a quilt…love it! Darwin has such a sweet face!
Darwin is so lovely and the quilt too. Hugs, Susie x
Nice quilt!
Love the photo of Darwin!
Love Darwin and his quilt. So funny to see him stretched out on the quilt