Pac Man Quilt

Do you ever buy fabric without having a specific plan in mind and, some time later, come up with an idea that redeems the original impulse buy? My Pac Man fabric falls into this purchasing category. It's Geeks Gone Wild by Timeless Treasures, and at one time, I couldn't resist.

Inspired by this online clipart, I used EQ7 to sketch out a pattern and determine measurements for cutting pieces.

To complete this quilt's destiny, I chanced upon the most perfect photo spot. Those fingers and skinny little legs belong to my four year-old, who  wasn't terribly pleased with his new post as quilt holder, but reluctantly complied. 

Want a closer look?

I used Magic Binding for the first time ever. If you give this technique a try, I have a few recommendations:

• Use when you are more concerned with time constraints than heirloom quality. I'm not sure the quilt police have approved this method.
• Try to make the binding on the front larger than the binding on the back, or else you will be more likely to have stitching on your binding on the back of the quilt.
• Use the same color for the backing fabric and the main binding color. Then, if you accidentally run your line of stitching up on the binding on the back, it won't be so noticeable.
• If you have an edge-stitch foot, use it when you stitch the binding down on the front.
• Don't forget to sew the binding to the BACK of the quilt first.
• Avoid using this method if you have critical details at the very edges of your quilt, like points you don't want cut off.
• Don't cut off your excess binding until you join the two ends and ensure that it fits the quilt nicely. Joining the ends isn't enough fun to have to do it more than once if you cut it off way too short.

(I may, or may not, have learned all these lessons the hard way.)

Each ghost has a different free-motion quilting filler. Matching thread was used on the top and black was in the bobbin to match the backing fabric. Black lines about 1/2" apart echo the ghosts in the background.

Download the cutting measurements from Craftsy if you'd like to make your own Pac Man Ghost quilt.

How about some progress shots?

Clyde:

Pinky:

Blinky:

I got carried away and didn't take any shots of Inky until he was totally put together.

Inky:

If you make your own, please share in the Quilting Mod Flickr group.