Let me start by saying I have made many quilts, including the sawtooth pattern, quite successfully.

This one was supposed to be for my granddaughter’s 9th birthday. 

Decided to start by embroidering pictures of her toddler drawings, was thinking of placing them randomly on a strip quilt. Tossed that notion when I fried my shoulder after diving in head first on the embroidery. 

Picked a random sawtooth pattern, did a quick google and found the 8” dimensions I was looking for. 

Began to cut, press and piece. 

Graduated, and a week later fell, broke my wrist and sustained a concussion. That summer was a bust as I could barely turn my head without it swimming, not to mention the wrist. 

Head settled a bit, went back to the machine. Discovered I was short on the contrast Kaufman fabric, couldn’t get the same stuff, went to an adjacent strip roll- the colors were almost right; so more pivoting. 

Finally got all the stars made only to realize in horror as I was doing the final press before sizing, I don’t add a seam allowance and they were exactly 8” square. at. the. point. 

Set the entire project aside while I pondered my life choices.

Did a super simple gorgeous blue and white strip quilt for my daughter in the meantime, got my confidence back. 

Decided I wasn’t going to try and piece on additional seam allowances and surrendered to the process of making an incredibly imperfect now, one year late birthday quilt.

Finished the dang thing over the last six months through sheer will and indomitable Minnesota stubbornness whichI believe the world has experienced recently.

Found an amazing private long arm quilter who picked the rainbow pattern based on what I told him regarding Granddaughter’s personality (nailed it!). 

Bound it (should have taken no more than 5 days, took approximately 5 weeks.) Washed it this week (with a color catcher!) and celebrated. 

Here we are. Her birthday is Sunday, she’ll be 10. 

Added a couple photos of her toddler drawings and the matching embroidery attempts, as well as photos (ty hubby!) of the completed imperfection. 

Still celebrating! 

🥳 

Happiest Birthday quilt ever!