Our lovely friends Richard and Emily are expecting their first baby in August. I wanted to give them something handmade that could be used for a long time. Baby knits are lovely but babies grow too fast! I figured a quilt/playmat would fit the bill.
As usual I gave myself a headache with this project by buying the fabric before planning the quilt. One of these days I'll actually plan the quilt before the purchase (actually I probably won't!). I spent a couple of evenings mulling over how I was going to fashion my fabric into a usable item but I got there in the end. I think I prefer 'winging it' projects rather than following someone elses design really. I must do otherwise I wouldn't keep on doing it!
I took photos and made notes along the way so as and when I find the notes I'll blog the process. The fabric is 100% cotton with sashing made from 100% cotton sheeting (bought in Primark for a fraction of the cost of yardage in a fabric shop). The back is also plain white cotton sheeting. The batting is a cotton/bamboo mix with an eigth of an inch loft. The design is 'Farmyard Corne'r by Makower and I can't remember where I bought it (but it would have been an online, UK based, fabric supplier).
I can't get a walking foot for my machine so quilting is a bit tricky. For this quilt I just stiched 'squares' around the animal pictures. I'm not explaining that very well but you can see what I mean if you look closely at the photo. This way I didn't get any puckering.
I'm really pleased with how it turned out. It's not perfect but, to me, that's the beauty of handmade. I know it'll be loved as much as I loved making it.
The binding is terrific--I am partial to polka dots though-lol! Love this quilt!
ReplyDeleteThat is beautiful, and so much more personal. Richard & Emily's baby will be a very lucky (& cosy) little one! A friends mum knitted both my boys blankets when they were born & even though the are now 7 & 4, I still have them, as I loved them so much & was so touched by the gesture. Seeing your handiwork brings back very find memories of my Grannie who use to do patchwork quilts & go off on jaunts showing them. Beautiful work!
ReplyDeletehow adorable. i love the farm critters :)
ReplyDeleteI love the cute little squares in your very special quilt. It is fantastic.
ReplyDeleteVery cute! The animals are adorable and I'm sure this will be a much loved quilt for their new baby
ReplyDeleteIts beautiful Mrs,
ReplyDeleteYou must be very proud! x
What a lucky baby, to get this quilt. It is so sweet. I love the farm animal fabric. I think you should keep "winging it", cause it turned out beautifully.
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