Mini Havana Seahorse Collage Applique Quilt Pattern by Laura Heine from Fiberworks Inc. 18" x 32" - LHFWMT

I'm enjoying working on this applique quilt, but it is also somewhat frustrating. The kit consists of instructions and an outline drawing of the seahorse. It's up to the individual quilter, as usual, to select fabrics and acquire additional supplies. I'd suggest that you spend some time studying the photograph of the finished quilt before purchasing fabrics. When selecting fabrics for the seahorse, keep in mind that in most cases, you will be using just small portions of a print - a flower or a leaf, for example. The background uses larger portions of a fabric pattern, but you will be using more muted patterns. I bought some fabrics that turned out to have prints that are way too large (not that adding to my stash is a problem).The instructions are vague. After all, there is no good way to explain how to collage, other than to cut things out and test them on the pattern. It is impossible to re-create Laura Heine's seahorse to look exactly as it does on the pattern photograph. We get a method in the instructions, but not many hints on how to choose fabrics and arrange them.This is a project that can become frustrating. I have found that I've cut out far more fabric motifs than I will use in the quilt. It's also quite possible to tinker with the seahorse for the rest of your life and never really finish the quilt. Changing out one motif can cause a whole area to need re-arranging. I'm now planning to set aside about 10 hours of Memorial Day weekend to work on this quilt, and to actually get to the point of fusing the fabric motifs to the underlayment. Otherwise, I can see myself still moving bits and pieces around over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, and still not being committed to finishing the quilt. One good thing about paying so much for this kit is that the seahorse drawing survives the project, so I know that I'll be making another one to use up the extra fabrics that I purchased.