Little Engine That Could - Finished 12/24/2013

02/18/2012: Original plan. Didn't like Quilting Treasures pattern so I made my own. It has been modified many times to fit the constraints of the fabric I have on hand.

10/10/2013: Last night while rocking on the porch late at night, I was thinking about this quilt. Would I keep it? Would I give it away? Would I sell it? I have pondered these questions many times.

Now I know what I will do. My daughter is THE Little Engine who always could, does and always will know that she can do whatever she makes up her mind to do. She is my inspiration, ever my purpose and the one person I most admire. My life is what it is because of her.

I will make this & dedicate it to her. Along with a copy of the book this will be hers. NOW I am motivated to finally piece it.

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​Feb 06, 2012: Ordered the fabric
Feb 18, 2012: Original plan
Oct 10, 2013: Inspired to make this for my daughter
Oct 13, 2013: Looking online for a copy of the book, I learned the history of this story & its many editions through the years including 1930 & 1954. I decided I wanted a 1930 edition (but not the ones I saw for over $1000.00. Fortunately, I have found one for a far more reasonable price in "very fine condition." It should be here Wednesday.

The Little Engine That Could - 1930 Edition

Making the Quilt

                                                                                                  2013 Re-design
Oct 13:  I thought I had the top all planned out 20 months ago but today I realized that four of the images are not Little Engine That Could blocks. If anyone wants a couple of Puff'n Toot &/or The Chocolate Train panel blocks, let me know. I won't be using them.

                                                                                               Piecing & Quilting
Nov 18: I have a few minutes so I have pressed the fabrics and started cutting and piecing. Decided on some version of the 9-block. Center of pinwheel blocks are done. The tricky part is that the image blocks ar 10.5" x 11.5". Think I have a plan that will work. We'll see.
Nov 19: HA! By oversizing the red triangles around the pinwheel blocks, I can trim them down. Added blue borders to panel blocks. Trimmed all blocks to the same size. Ready for sashing & then borders. Plan change--just don't have enough red to make the diamonds but have just enough of the blue toss to use there.
Nov 20-22: Completed piecing. Had to omit side red borders so the top & bottom train borders would fit. This top surprised me that it turned out as large as it is.
Nov 24: Train With Trees plan proposal
Dec 14: Train Tracks plan proposal
Dec 15: Prepped. Loaded. Quilting. It will take 36 minutes to quilt each row. That gets a WOW! Quilted in one evening.
Dec 16: Squaring and then attaching binding.
Dec 24: Bound & wrapped for giving tomorrow.