My niece, Mary Frances, has a wonderful dachshund named Slinky. One of her friends gave him the nickname of The Ambassador of Joy, and it totally fits him! I purchased Elizabeth Hartman’s Dogs in Sweaters pattern earlier this year and a few months ago decided that the lap quilt would be the perfect Christmas gift for Mary Frances (and Slinky!) this year. This is one of my 2017 Qtr 4 Finish-A-Long Goals.
I gave Michael at ThreadBear free rein with the long-arm quilting, and I could not be more pleased with how this quilt turned out. (And a big shout-out to my brother, Bill, and sister-in-law, Sharon, for paying this custom quilting!) Below are some close-up shots. Just look at how the different directions of the straight-line quilting accentuate the dog’s face and body! Each dog’s sweater has a different quilting motif, and this top dog has snowflakes quilted on his sweater. The quilting in the negative space around him is reminiscent of dog bones.
Dog # 2 has flames on his sweater and is surrounded by clouds.
The third dog, also known as The Smart Dog, with appliqued glasses, has chess pieces quilted on his sweater, and the quilting around him looks like scientific symbols. This guy is my absolute favorite!
And the last dog who is in the middle of different sized pebbles has a couple cats quilted on his sweater. Slinky lives with two cats and would love to be better friends with them if they would let him!
Here’s a photo of the cats on the back:
Both Mary Frances and Slinky are fans of quilts. Below are a couple of pics with Slinky snuggling in quilts. The first one is him with the Morning Coffee and Cream Quilt that I made for my sister.
And here he is all cuddled up with the Fashion and Food Quilt that I made for Mary Frances in 2015.
Feel free to check out more photos of Slinky on his Instagram The Slinky Chronicles.
Linking up to My Quilt Infatuation: Needle and Thread Thursday, Busy Hands Quilts: Finished or Not Friday, and Crazy Mom Quilts: Finish It Up Friday. Also linking up to 2017 Qtr 4 Finish-A-Long Finishes.
Quilting is in my Blood 
Good Morning!
I have been meaning to pick up this pattern and make a quilt for my brother. He (and I) and big doxie fans. Oh how I love that little guy in the glasses. I am sure that Slinky and Mary Francis will enjoy a lot of snuggle time in this priceless piece. ~smile~ Roseanne
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What an awesome quilt, Mary, and I adore Slinky’s nickname. I’m pretty sure this quilt is going to make both Slinky and your niece more than joyful when they receive it! 🙂
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So cute, I love the quilt. What a wonderful gift.
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I am working on one of these too. Love it.
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Great quilt! I love their sweaters and the dog with glasses! I’m sure the recipients will be delighted!
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Cute quilt!! LOVE how your quilter brought out the dogs with directional quilting.
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Love this! Have you done her whale pattern?
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This is so special, such personal touches such a lovely gift! Surely your niece, and Slinky, will feel the thoughtfulness and love stitched into this quilt.
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Your quilt looks great! I love the plaid and the glasses. And the quilting is just awesome! What a lovely gift.
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This is such a cute quilt! Congrats on the finish! On behalf of the FAL hosts, thank you for joining us!
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I think Smart Dog is my favorite! On behalf of the FAL crew, thanks for participating!
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