Pirate Girl -- Captain Kira

Where do I even begin……  I was so excited about this quilt (and I still am)!  When I found out my sister was going to have a baby, I couldn’t wait to get started on a quilt.  I had to wait til they found out if it would be a boy or girl before I could even decide what I would do – I didn’t want to wait!!  I started shopping for fabric right away.  The problem was that I wanted it to be loved by the baby, toddler, child, teen, and by the parents too.  I asked my sister what she was thinking of doing for a theme for the baby and there was never a super excited response that made me think….  That’s it… that is what I will make!

I finally found out.....  It’s gonna be a girl….  Now I can figure this out!!  I still wanted to make sure that everyone would love it so I started asking questions….. princess, ballerina, animals, Disney, lady bugs, pink, purple… super heroes, Starwars, He-man???....  And I could not get an answer for anything!  I decided that I better just figure this out on my own.  My main problem was that I didn't want this to be too girly.  I wanted something just a little bit girly but still with some power behind it.  I thought about Wonder Woman….  But I was not totally in love with the fabric. Then I finally found this wonderful line of pirate themed fabric called “Out to Sea by Sarah Jane for Michael Miller.”  The more I looked at it the more I fell in love! It was absolutely perfect…..  when someone hears pirates, the first thing they think of is that it is for boys.  Not this time!!  I found someone on Etsy that did a custom bundle for me so that I got all of the pieces I wanted.  19 fat quarters in total.  Now came the hard part…..  I needed a pattern that would accommodate the large prints and keep the map in one piece so that it can really be enjoyed.  

Getting it all cut out.

I got out my graph paper, did some more Google searching to inspire me and then started sketching….  I started with the largest piece – the map – and went from there.  I figured if every square on my graph paper was one inch I should be able to design something that should work.  

How I worked it out.

Figuring out the layout.

Once I got the general design down, I had to figure out placement and see if I even had enough fabric to accomplish this.  I found colored pencils in colors that approximated the fabric colors as best I could and started coloring…..  It took me a few drafts and a lot of contemplating.  I had several squares that had nothing in them so I decided to find solids that matched.  I needed solids to do her name and “Yo Ho Yo Ho” as well.  I’m pretty sure that I over think and over analyze most of the designing and progression of the quilt because even after I had it all figured out I was still not perfectly satisfied.  

I started cutting anyways…..  Began the embroidery and worked on my sketch for the appliqué ship.  

Pirate ship sketch.

Turns out the appliqué ship was my favorite part!!  I love love love the way it turned out!  And it was so simple.  I used Pellon 805 Wonder-Under and cut the pieces out and ironed them down.  Then just did a straight stitch around all the pieces with a zig zag stitch for the poles.  I can’t wait to do more appliqué now!!!  

Finished block.

I love the little kitty.

Perfect!

It didn't take me long to get it all put together once I was ready to sew.  I did it in quarters- they didn't match up perfectly so I used the white to fill here and there so it would square up. 

The first quarter done.

The second quarter done - this one was not even!!

Half done.

All four quarters together at last.

I couldn't wait to get it the finished top to my long arm quilter!  I opted for the softest back I could find.  It is Cuddle 3 by Shannon Fabrics.  I absolutely love it and can't wait to make something for myself with it.

I bound it with the Cuddle and I loved how if turned out!!  I think I used 2 1/2 inches for the binding.....  I should have written it down!!!

Easy peasy!

I love my Wonder Clips!!

My last section to bind.  

The precious Kira with her quilt.

She loved it so much she would not hold still for the picture.

I love the design and how it shows up on the Cuddle.

My long arm quilter is amazing and I love how she always puts the perfect pattern with the quilt.

This is by far one of my favorite quilts I have ever made!  I have some amazing Hawaiian fabrics that I may use with this same pattern.  It will be a while before I get to that one.....  I have to work on some of my QFK projects first.  Some day!