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Saturday, October 3, 2026

Chook, Chook, Chickens

Some time ago, when I had my wardrobe malfunction, I came across a bag containing two long forgotten projects, neutral strings and chickens, and decided that I would deal with these as soon as I could.  The string blocks have been stitched into a quilt and donated, and now it's time to work on  those chickens.

Chickens and strings

The chicken panel was given to me quite some time ago by my friend Eileen, and had been hiding in a bag in the wardrobe, until it all came crashing down last year.  It is really meant to be a stuffed toy, but I decided I didn't want to do that.  Oh, look, she's called Henny Penny, how sweet.  How about a cot quilt instead?


Henny Penny and her chickens

So I cut around them, adding some visoflix to the edges, and machine button hole appliqued them onto a white background. 


Hello chickens


 And made the binding, luckily I had a FQ that toned in with the chickens.

A donated piece of rather wild looking red, blue and yellow low stretch fabric was used for the backing.  I have used stretch fabric before on the back of quilts, and never had a problem.  How to quilt it?  Stitch around each of the birds, then lines of  serpentine stitch side to side.  Finally, I quilted through the birds feathers. 


Machine quilting

The binding was attached, clipped down, then folded up waiting for the final hand stitching.  Gemma decided I must have put it there just for her.  


So comfy, thanks Mum

After a pleasant couple of hours sitting and stitching on a nasty rainy wet afternoon,  it was finally done.  The rain showers had stopped, so I raced outside for a quick photo shoot.



Hello, chooky

This will probably be a donation quilt,  but I think I'd like to keep and admire it for a while.  Now it is Spring it will look nice hanging on the quilt ladder for a while, it's time to change the quilts with some other lighter seasonal quilts.  


The backing is a bit wild, using what I have

With this one finally finished, I'm aiming to work on  some Rainbow Scrap Challenge projects.  There are such a lot of block sets from previous years, all sitting in a crate and calling me.  But I'll probably start with one which is pinned up on a chair in the sewing room waiting to be quilted.  Wish me luck, I've got so much to choose from.

15 comments:

The Cozy Quilter said...

What a great way to use the chicken panel! I love the backing fabric…so fun and colourful. You are not alone in having lots of UFO’s lurking in your sewing room.

Carolyn said...

The hens and baby chicks are so cute! You are doing great with your UFO’s.

Cherie Moore said...

Love the alternate use of the chickens! The quilt turned out so cute.

Kat Scribner said...

Those are adorable and colorful chickens.

Julierose said...

An absolutely adorable cot quilt, Jenny--what a fun piece..nice work saving the chickens...hugs, Julierose

Nancy J said...

Wow, Chooky looks wonderful, keep it for a while to admire,, and one other girl might say, This is for me. Looks like she already has ideas.

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

That is cute as can be, Jenny! I love the fun, bright colors, and that backing looks perfect for it. Someone's going to love this!

Melisa- pinkernpunkinquilting said...

The Chicken quilt is adorable, Jenny and how clever . Great job. Hugs.

loulee said...

A lovely way to use up that panel. Yes, keep hold of it for a while so you can enjoy it.

Astrid said...

The cutest chicken quilt, Jenny! I love it! Love the backing too, it's perfect. I have RSC block sets too, but I think they have to wait until next year. Good luck on your goals!

Patricia in New Mexico said...

Your header photo is lovely! What a fun quilt you made. That was very creative of you to change the use of the chickens! With your backing, it feels like you created a reversible quilt!

FlourishingPalms said...

Nicely done, Jenny! You came up with a good idea for using the panel in a different way. And that machine Serpentine stitch for quilting looks perfect with it. Isn't that a great stitch for quilting? I always suggest it to students in my quilting classes. Admire away! A charity will always be ready to accept the quilt when you're ready.

Jenn Jilks said...

I quite like it! Bright, cute, a wonderful project. You just had to be ready for it!

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

That turned out so cute, great idea to applique all of them instead of making the toy.

Karen S said...

That is a lovely finish. Great way to use the panel and the backing is perfect.