Another First For Me

I have a baby shower to go to this week before I head out to Raleigh on Friday 

so decided to make a chenille blanket for the gift. 

 I have been toying with learning how to sew the binding down by machine for some time now.  

I love the look of binding sewn by hand but

 it hurts my hand so much and the pain extends all the way into my shoulder by the time I am finished.  Sometimes my sweet friend offers to sew the binding down for me 

and I am always so thrilled as she does such beautiful work!  

Also with a project like a chenille blanket I figure it will be sturdier if sewn down using the machine.

First let me say it was not as hard as I thought it would be and

 second I certainly can use some additional practice! 

 I sewed the binding to the chenille side and turned it to the plain fabric side. 

 My hope was that the fluffiness of the chenille side would hide my less than perfect machine stitching,

 and I am happy to report that this was exactly the case!

Here is the less than perfect side, perfectly camoflauged

 Here is the back and the stitching looks great!

I decided to try black and white for the chenille, like the checkered flag and used red flannel for the base.

I have to say I am pretty pleased with the outcome.

Here are a few views of the finished blanket.

If you would like to make one too you can find the tutorial under the tutorial link on my blog

 or on the Moda Bake Shop too.

(silly Fatty McFatty photo)

On a side note, anyone out there live in the Raleigh area? 

 I will be there on Friday to visit my daughter for the week.  

I am already meeting up with 2 of my blogging buddies but would be happy to meet you as well.

Send me an email if so and we will see what we can arrange.  

mamaspark@gmail.com

On this Memorial Day here in the US I would like to thank all the military personnel 

for keeping me and my family safe. 

 I can't thank you all enough.

~XOP~