Happy Year of the Rabbit

Down the Rabbit Hole [DtRH] – Month 1

Down the Rabbit Hole – The name of the block of the month club I joined last July-ish. I never meant to start it right away but the quilt was too cute to pass up. As a Year of the Rabbit baby, this week I officially have turned it into my Year of the Rabbit quilt project and have a personal goal to write up a monthly block post about my thoughts and learnings making this skill-building quilt.

Down the Rabbit Hole is a book and pattern by Sarah Fielke that was offered by Stitchin Heaven as a year long quilt kit/class. I think they started arriving in October 2022 but I could be wrong.

What worked?

• Using the Cricut to cut custom circle templates – I seriously haven’t used my Cricut much since I bought it but I didn’t have the right size Accuquilt circles and then was all “DOH!” Ended up using an old file folder or two for the cardstock. These circles are perfect for setting up the layout and will also use them later during the aluminum wrapped applique technique for the flowers.

What didn’t?

• Measuring challenges – First cutting the 5 1/2″ strip too narrow and then having to piece it and then completely not getting the 1/4″ seam allowance correct on the middle circle (some creative ironing was required) and then finally cutting the medallion center square a 1/2″ too short. It IS a square at least and I do plan on compensating for the shortage in a different month. *crossing fingers* that I can reduce the number of AND THENs!

What did I learn?

• I am learning that perfection hinders progress. I can and am finding my way past mistakes. I am not letting perfection block me from making this quilt. It’d be too easy to say “damn, I screwed that up, I guess it needs to go in the naughty corner”. I’m not. I’m moving on and calling everything that happens like this a design feature.
• The Rabbit in the Chinese Zodiac symbolizes mercy, elegance, and beauty. I’m aiming for all of them!