the Big Bad Woolf

I'm so pleased to be able to show you my finished Big Bad Wolf block!  This is a paper pieced Block of the Month pattern available from Bungalow Quilting and Yarn Shop.  January was Grandmother's cottage, and February was the wolf.  Can't wait to see Red Riding Hood who is expected to be strolling through the woods in March!  Check out their website to see the same block done up in cotton.

I pieced my block from wool and used 1/2" seam allowances where possible.  I also attempted to press the seams open on the back to alleviate bulk.  I scaled this block up quite a bit from the original pattern.  My finished size measures 18".  For those of you not familiar with paper piecing, the block is constructed in sections or quadrants.  You literally place your fabric onto the paper template and sew on the pattern lines.  The paper is sewn to the fabric and removed later. 

Here is the paper pattern for the tree trunk (missing the very top point).  The original size is at the far left.  I continued to enlarge the pattern on the copier until it was the size I wanted.  The pieces of fabric are sewn onto the backside of the paper in the order of the numbers.  When each section of the block is completed, they are then sewn together.  I apologize that I don't have any 'in progress' photos to show you.  This was my first paper piecing project in quite a few years, and I was so thrilled that it was turning out, I just kept pinning and sewing!

My wolf will eventually turn into a couch pillow.  He needs beady, yellow button eyes and a bit of outline stitching.  Hank suggested I do a barn and sheep block to finish off the matched set, but we'll see.  I love sewing with wool, but next on the List is my daughter's Easter dress and jacket.