The Wonky Donkey Quilt

Monday, December 31, 2018

December's Island Batik ambassador challenge was "Whimsical and Wonky."

The challenge took much more brainstorming than most months! "Whimsical" isn't exactly my style, so I focused on "wonky." After looking at lots and lots (and lots!) of improv style quilts, I just couldn't get inspired. I took a step back and tried to think outside the box about the challenge.

As a mom of three young boys, the only thing my brain can think of when I hear the word "wonky" is the very popular children's book, The Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith. I knew I would have to make a donkey quilt!

Wonky Donkey quilt with Island Batik fabrics and Aurifil thread

Have you heard of the Wonky Donkey book? The book became uber popular after this video of a Scottish grandma reading the book to her four-month-old grandson went viral.



Donkey quilt inspired by The Wonky Donkey book

I sketched several donkey designs before deciding to go with one that did not have any characteristics from the book. (In the book, the donkey only has one eye and three legs.) This was so I could make other donkey quilts from the same pattern (like a Christmas donkey quilt!).

(UPDATE: Looking for the pattern? It's in my Etsy shop!)

For the donkeys, I chose some colorful Paisley Dot fabrics that Island Batik sent me as part of the ambassador program. I decided to use the Island Batik solid black for the background.

Wonky Donkey quilt with Island Batik Paisley Dot fabrics



Part of the challenge is to only use the fabrics you have on hand. I really wanted to make the quilt larger, but I didn't have enough fabric! But six donkeys made a great baby quilt or lap quilt size.

Wonky Donkey quilt with Island Batik Paisley Dot fabrics



I pin basted the quilt with Warm & Natural batting and a bright pink Island Batik fabric for the back.

Wonky Donkey quilt with Island Batik Paisley Dot fabrics



I free motion quilted it on my domestic machine. I thought the loops in Aurifil 50wt #2479 Medium Orchid looked a bit like lassos!

Wonky Donkey quilt with Island Batik Paisley Dot fabrics and Aurifil thread



For binding, I did something I very rarely do - scrappy!

Wonky Donkey quilt with Island Batik Paisley Dot fabrics
Wonky Donkey quilt with Island Batik fabrics and Aurifil thread



My boys love this one! (Although I did get questioned about the missing features!)

Wonky Donkey quilt with Island Batik fabrics and Aurifil thread
Wonky Donkey quilt with Island Batik fabrics and Aurifil thread



I actually made this quilt at the beginning of the month, and I couldn't get the idea of a Christmas donkey quilt out of my head! (Thanks to the song Dominick the Donkey!) I finished a Christmas version in time for us to enjoy it too! But I'll save that one for another post!

I would like to write a pattern for this one. In fact, I've started, but my plate was too full this month and it's not finished yet. Would you be interested in a pattern for the donkey quilt? Be sure to leave a comment (with your email address if you might be a no-reply commenter), and I'll let you know as soon as the pattern is ready!

UPDATE: The pattern is now available in my Etsy shop here

Wonky Donkey quilt



There's only one more challenge left for this year's Island Batik ambassadors!

Island Batik December challenge


Linking up with Let's Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts, Finished or Not Friday at Busy Hands Quilts, TGIFF at Anja Quilts, Friday Foto Fun at Powered by Quilting, Main Crush Monday at Cooking Up Quilts, Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt, and What I Made Monday at Pretty Piney.


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24 comments:

  1. Too funny! I saw that crazy video and it was hysterical. It is terrible fun and sweet with those little toes hanging out of it. Waiting for my muse to speak does not always compliment my desire for an organized approach. Here's to more muse listening or reading more children's books!

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  2. I love the photo with the jumble of feet hanging out the bottom edge! And that viral video of a grandma reading the book tickles me so much it made me laugh just from the memory of it. :)

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  3. What a cute quilt. It seems that it is well loved based on your photos.

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  4. I love the book (and I knew it BEFORE the video went viral!) and love that you used the Wonky Donkey as your inspiration!!! The picture of your sons reading the book under the blanket is just so perfect. Great project!

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  5. OMG the feet picture!!! We only had one little boy (who is 11.5 now). I didn't know what to think when my friend suggested taking pictures of his feet. I LOVE those pictures now!!! Ok, I'm a quilter. The quilt is really fun too. But I LOVE the pictures of your adorable three under it! Happy new year.

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  6. Along with everyone else, my favourite pictures are of your boys covered up in their donkey quilt :) How adorable are they? I love the bright donkeys and after listening to the grandma read the book I think I need to add that one to my repertoire with the kids I babysit.

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  7. Like everyone else, I love the photo with their feet sticking out! What a cute quilt and love the batiks you used!

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  8. I would love this pattern! Pls let me know when it's available!

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  9. I think it is unanimous...the feet have it! The beautiful quilt and the story of its creation are just great. Somehow, Laura, you pull it out of the bag each time. The beautiful fabric you used, the scrappy binding and the quilting make this a great baby quilt. If you don't keep it for your kids, it will make a great gift. Yes, that pattern really sparks my interest.

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  10. I would love the wonky donkey quilt pattern.

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    Replies
    1. The pattern is in my Esty shop now! https://www.etsy.com/listing/676002714/

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  11. I watched those videos on facebook when they were posted. She is the best Granny!! I would love a pattern!

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    Replies
    1. The pattern is in my Etsy shop now! https://www.etsy.com/listing/676002714/

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  12. Sorry email didn't come up. maryanndotlohmannatyahoodotcom Thanks in advance!!

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  13. so want NEED this pattern. c7lonergan@rogers.com

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  14. I would love to get the wonky donkey pattern!! dgkab331@gmail.com

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  15. Wonky Donkey made me smile. It's fun and whimsical! :) I love your creativity Laura! And I especially love seeing those adorable feet sticking out from under the quilt!

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  16. Nifty quilt. Very clever to base a quilt on a favorite children’s book.

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  17. I would love the pattern. Your boys under the quilt are adorable.I would grab their feet and tickle them.

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    Replies
    1. The pattern is in my Etsy shop now! https://www.etsy.com/listing/676002714/

      Delete
  18. I would love this wonky donkey pattern... so cute presentation with the kiddos and feet showing! love it dawnbowman56@gmail.com

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  19. Hi! I realized that a neglected email address is linked to my name. Here is the one I really use: lskocher@sbcglobal.net --thanks!

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  20. I would love a pattern!! That Granny is awesome!!

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    Replies
    1. The pattern is in my Etsy shop now! https://www.etsy.com/listing/676002714/

      Delete

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