Busy City Give-Away

Move to the side of the street: the ambulance is coming through!

I had such fun spending an afternoon trying my hand at a brilliant and adorable new pattern designed by the talented Alex Ledgerwood, of Teaginny Designs.

Busy City is a  paper-piecing pattern of 35 different vehicles and other "city" elements--perfect for creating a super quilt for a little boy who loves cars! The pattern includes a CD of the templates in two different sizes.

 I clearly remember first seeing Alex's original Busy City quilt several ago when I met her during a KC Modern Quilt Guild meeting. It was so mind boggling and creative that it was unforgettable and I'd always thought that she should make it into a pattern.

Well, now she has! The pattern was just published by Shea Henderson and the Empty Bobbin Sewing Studio, another Kansas City MQG rock star! Since I've done some pattern testing for Shea in the past, I knew that this pattern would be top notch in every way.

 The cars, trucks, houses, etc. are separated into 3 categories depending on sewing intricacy. I decided to choose two out of each category to try. The car and trash truck were indeed pretty simple and easy to sew up! Even a beginnin paper-piecer could handle these, for sure.

 From the moderate group, the trailer truck and front-end loader took a little more time but still were not difficult to make if you understand the basic principles of paper-pieced blocks.

 The final, more difficult selections, included the cherry picker and, my personal favorite, the ambulance. There are some tiny little pieces in these 4"x6" blocks, making them a bit more challenging and time consuming to make, but the went together without a hitch! Making the larger size blocks would be a little easier, I guess, but, oh how cute are the small ones!

To make the twin size quilt, each small block will be surrounded by background fabric to create the 12-inch blocks making up the quilt. The pattern also includes instructions for making a baby size quilt design as well as  cute pillows.

Alex generously supplied me with an extra pattern to give-away to one of my readers!

 To enter the giveaway, just leave me a comment telling me what kind of car you drive! (Be sure that there is an email address attached to your comment.) 
Me? I just upgraded from a P.T. Cruiser to a Nissan Armada...lots more room for grandchildren! 

I'll randomly choose a winner on Saturday morning. This give-away is now closed and the winner has been contacted. Thanks!