Collaborative Creations

There is something invigorating about the collaborative process!

I learn so much!

The ability to talk with others about a vision and make that vision become a reality brings renewed energy to my creative life.

Imagine ideas... some possible, some not so much. All of them worth mentioning!

When I learned my boss at the zoo was pregnant, I knew I wanted to give her something. So I started talking with various friends and we came up with several viable ideas.

Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium logo

Hmmm... you know I don't quilt, right?

Though I have many friends who do.

My friend Rena volunteered right away.

She already had all the parts! She had scrap leftovers from other quilts! Would I help her de-stash? Sure.

So even though I don't make quilts, the gift was decided.

After many video chats between Alaska and the midwest, we settled on pastel color fabrics and Rena created a design.

I learned lots about the quilting process during this collaborative effort!

Well... mostly she taught me... I just embroidered and fussed lots about shipping and arrival times. Grin.

She sent me the block on which for me to embroider the zoo's logo. So while I worked on that, she put together the other blocks.

My wee part of the quilt... the embroidered zoo logo...

All the while we talked about the quilt's particulars. Like did we want a maker's label on the back? Yes... a printed label with both our names... and Rena called the quilt Zoo Babies.

We also discussed what to back it with... while minky fabric is soft, it doesn't breathe well... so we decided on flannel.

I finished my embroidery and sent the block back to Alaska so Rena could finish the quilt top.

Then she took it all to Three Dog Stitching to get the quilting done. There, Betty used a jungle animal pattern to quilt it.

A sketch of the quilting pattern showing the jungle animals...

Can you see the jungle animals in the quilt?

When the quilting part was complete, Rena added the label and binding around the edge. Then sent it back in plenty of time for the baby shower.

The completed Zoo Babies quilt

I had no solid idea of the modern quilting process. When I was a wee child, I helped my grandmother quilt. All hand sewing and quilting bees.

I'm jazzed that in these modern times we can still collaborate... and I love that we could complete the quilt in about six weeks, shipping and all.

This was a wonderful learning process for me!

And the quilt? A huge hit that will be well-loved!