Have you ever been asked to make a special gift for someone but given very little information to go on?

It can present a challenge but when you get you creative juices flowing, the end result can be amazing.

This was my challenge..... make a queen size quilt as a gift from a wife to her husband for their 10'th anniversary. Any style or design is fine but we like: red, black and white, hearts, animal prints, paw prints and oh ya Rottweilers!

What a combination.

But I was up for the challenge and wanted to do my best as they are a sweet hard working couple and deserved a special gift. So I decided that this would be a labour of love not for profit!

Finally I decided on a Quilt as you Go Strip quilt using black and white animal prints for the top accents with an applique Rottweiler and large red hearts. The backing was a rich red colour with white dots, I wanted hearts but couldn't find them. I did purchase a white with red hearts to use but it just wasn't weighty enough to anchor the quilt.

First step was to hand baste backing to the cotton batting. For this I used long stitches in black to make them easy to remove at the end. This held the backing flat, no puckers, while I constructed the top.

Next laying out the strips to make a pleasing final products. I cut all strips 4" wide for a 3 1/2" finished strip. Varying lengths make it more interesting as well as not have matching fabrics touch.

At first I was thinking of not using the black solid and the larger cow print but in the end they both give a calming or resting place for the eye.

Once I was happy with the look I stitched the strips together labeling them as to their position on the quilt. This would make construction easier with no mistakes (hopefully).

I am fortunate to have a mother in law with a huge workroom with a large table. She used to sew custom drapery and although retired from that continues to sew. When I have a large project it's nice to know I have a dedicated room to use not too far away.