WIP Wednesday #8 a new quilt for a special friend

Joe Sugamelli is my mother in law's neighbor.  He is the kind of neighbor anyone in America would kill for.  He is in his 70s and doesn't miss a beat.  He is kind and caring, always there to take in your trash bins before you get home and collect your mail when you are on vacation.  Jeff's mom has owned the house she now lives in for a decade, but rented it out for several years while living in a newer house across town.  With the bad economy and home depreciation she was forced to sell her new home and move back to the one down the street from Joe.  As a house warming gift he had all her palm trees trimmed.  He used to be a baker and not a week goes by without him bringing us his precious Italian delicacies.  Nobody makes a cannoli  like Joe.  He is a proud Sicilian- don't you dare call him Italian- and he loves Jeff and I like his own kids.  When I heard his daughter was having a baby recently I knew the perfect way to thank him.  Joe's wife LOVES puzzles- and that is the only hint I will give you all about how I will be quilting this quilt.  This jumbo log cabin quilt is a special thank you to a guy who makes our life better every day.  I know the world will be a colder and less friendly place without our beloved Joe.  To him and all the great neighbors that make our country special.

This quilt is made from a half of a Jelly roll and some solid strips.  I did a traditional log cabin quilt in an X pattern.  It came together quickly, which is good for me as I can't wait to quilt it.  I have had some sew wrong moments with this little baby snuggler though... the brown fabric I have used as a solid seems to have shrunken slightly when I ironed the seams- and I am not looking forward to basting it.  If anyone has any suggestions on how to remedy this problem it would be much appreciated.  Regardless I will make it work and spray baste if I need to to get it as flat as possible.  I don't like spray basting but in extreme cases like this one it might just be the only way to go.  I promise every seam is a perfect 1/4 inch and ironed open just as it should be- I think the brown fabric was just hexed- and decided to shrink on me under my hot iron.  Not cool.  C'est la vie- that is the great thing about baby quilts- it will be used and loved regardless of it's imperfections and once washed I doubt the wonkyness will be noticed.  I love it anyway and I know it is going to a very good home.  I can't wait to finish it and surprise Joe and his wife with my special gift.   This is my only progress this week and I don't have anything else in progress to report.  As always I am linking to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced