A very special guest and her Baby Ducks from Thimbleart

Editors note: I had asked Ruth some time ago to do something very special 

for all the new tots that have entered into our world...

I think with seeing sew many geese and their chicks

in our midst lately, this is very appropriate 

to highlight today... 

Ruth does such amazing 3D quilts...

For all you young chicks..let's follow her, ok?

Thanks, Madam Samm for inviting me to join your amazing blog. For those who have never paper pieced, you may need extra help. We've provided a link to watch a free video tutorial at the end of this blog. You will also be able to download the pattern for a special price. So here it goes.

Photocopy the pattern for each of the duck parts. Place them on top of two pieces of fabric that are right sides together. Place this on top of thin Polyester batting. Set your stitch length a little shorter and sew on the solid line. Cut on the outside dashed line.

Remove the paper and turn each piece right side out. Using low heat, press them so the shapes are well defined. Here are the three baby ducks and the mother duck parts finished.

Begin paper piecing the baby block by placing background fabric on the unprinted side of the paper pattern, right side away. Next, with the printed pattern side up, machine baste the backs of the ducks. This will transfer the location of the ducks to the other side or fabric placement side. The mothr duck is made in the same way.

Stack the duck bodies, with the wings centered over the body and all of the raw edges are 1/4" above the machine basting. The duck heads are then placed so they align with the body chest. Pin all three parts of each duck or machine baste to secure.

Cut a piece of background fabric larger than area 2. Place it right side down along the edge of the duck pieces. The bulk of the fabric is opposite the area that is to be covered (area 2). Pin to secure.

Turn the unit over so the printed pattern is visible and sew on the whole line between areas 1 and 2.

Everytime fabric is added, trim the extra fabric out of the seam allowance leaving 1/4".

Press area 2 fabric back against area 2.

With the pattern printed side up, machine baste where the duck bills meet the seam. This will transfer the location to the other side of the unit.

Place the duck bills 1/4" above the basting. Pin or machine baste to secure.

Cut a piece of background fabric larger than area 3. Place it right side down so one edge is aligned with the duck bills. The bulk of the fabric is opposite the area to be covered (area 3). Pin to secure.

Wth the printed side up, machine sew the whole line between area 2 and area 3. Fold fabric 3 back to cover area 3.

Cut on the outside dashed lines. The mother duck is completed using the same steps as the babies. Remove the paper and sew the babies to the mother.

Using three strands of embroidery floss, satin stitch the eyes and stitch eye lashes. You may want to use buttons or beads, if it is to be a wall hanging. Using a crayon or colored pencil blush the cheeks.

Borders are added and the quilt is layered with batting and backing. Machine quilt and bind. Blind stitch or tack the head and body to the quilt top, but leave the wings free to fly!

 We hope you enjoy this sweet little design. Thanks again Madamm Samm for allowing me to share.

We've provided a web page to link you to video tutorials and the pattern. We are also offering a second pattern for an amazing price. Be sure to subscribe to our website, as we will be sending out specials, updates, and new patterns throughout the year. Enjoy!

http://thimble-art.com/madam-samm-special/