Commission, new skill & stepping up

This is a commissioned baby quilt that I have a lot of fun working on.

Firstly it was my very first, but not the last set on point quilt.  I have always loved set on point quilts as it gives a simple block a whole new dimension.  I have avoided it because I didn't want to deal with the math of it but after reading through one of my quilting books, it was not as daunting as it seems to be.  Perhaps it was explained in a much easier way to understand in comparison to others that I have found to be too complicating.

Secondly, I wanted to step up and add to my quilting repertoire.  I was going to make a set on point quilt at some stage and so happened a commissioned baby quilt came along.  I thought it would make an excellent pattern choice for a simple, modern and cute baby quilt.

So I begun my journey with this quilt.  I started the design process by having a chat with my friend on what she was after, to whom this quilt was for and etc.  Then I proceeded to select a few gender neutral fabric bundles and came up with three different designs for selection.

Mary, my friend selected the fabric bundle Modern Bliss by Andie Hanna for Robert Kaufman which I have blogged about here.  I was most delighted when she selected this simple half-squared-triangle (HST) set on point quilt design.  It was my chance to have some fun and get my head around it.

The quilting stages went on pretty smoothly though I had to figure out to how I was going to do the sides with two half of a triangle instead of one, cutting on grain and orientating the side half triangles the right way.  My seam ripper were put to some good use during that stage.  However, I was not discouraged by it, instead I was in a 'fix it and figure it out' mood.

I have machine quilted this quilt in simple diagonal lines to further elaborate the set on point quality.  I wanted to keep the quilting simple and clean with minimal fuss to keep with the theme I have started out on.

I have also kept the binding simple by using Happy Go Lucky Navy on White Jump.  The diagonal stripes further adds to the design of the the quilt and the print also picks up the scallop design of the fabric.  I love these little 'accidental' details that is picked up along the process.

I have also hand stitched a label as I don't have any printed ones at the moment.  I do like the handmade feel it gives out and most importantly the last words 'Snuggle lots!'.  Don't you think this phrase is so appropriate for all quilts out there?  The more you snuggle, the better it gets!

The quilt has been handed over to Mary and she was really happy with it.  I am really happy too with the outcome and it is one of my favourite quilt to date.  It's simple, cute and modern.

Quilting facts:
Baby quilt measuring approx 38" x 42"
Quilt top fabircs: F8 Modern Bliss bundle by Andie Hanna for Robert Kaufman, Emma Louise in White & Bella Solids in Feather
Quilt backing fabric: Woodland in Pine by Sarah Watson for Art Gallery Fabrics
Binding: Happy Go Lucky Navy on White Jump by Bonnie & Camille for Moda Fabrics
Batting: 100% cotton

Thank you for stopping by!
xx

Stripey

I have always find making a baby boy's quilt a little challenging.  Not because I am bias to a particular gender but what I struggle with is the fabric selections.  I wasn't particular drawn to animals, rockets, dinosaurs or cowboy prints.  What I wanted was a quilt that had a bit more millage that could see the use of it from new born to say 10-11 years old. I also wanted something modern for this quilt.

So I thought... what would be suitable for a baby boy's quilt?  In came in stripes! I thought it would be suitable for 1) a boy's quilt 2) modern 3) millage.

I have decided on a simple hourglass design to express a modern feel to the quilt, and I was also pressed for time as I had to get this done before 2nd semester of school starts next week - Bo!

Any how, I am very happy with the outcome of the quilt.  By adding some blue clown stripe fabrics from Michael Miller combined with the fat quarter bundle of the colourful stripes and white solid fabric has made this quilt simple, modern and suitable for a boy.

I have opt for a simple grey solid backing from Kona called 'Iron' and added a boarder of the quilt design vertically to give the backing some detail.  I have machine quilted this quilt with simple horizontal and vertical lines, about an inch spacing in between seams.

I must admit that my lines are a little wonky and not completely dead straight but I hope with lots of quilting practice in years to come, I would master it a wee bit.

This quilt is making its way to London as present for a dear friend who is expecting her second child.  I hope she will love it and will keep the baby warm till he is too 'grown up' for it.

Quilt facts:
Size: Approximate 45" x 54"
Fabric: Stripe from a FQ bundle, Clown stripes in Aqua & Blue by Michael Miller, Solid White by Emma Louise; backing in Kona solid 'Iron'
Quilting: Machine quilted using Auril 40wt in White

A Quilt for Childhood Memories

Childhood Quilt

Carol and I have been friends since we were toddlers.  We went to the same kindergarten, primary and high school.  Our parents are neighbors till this day, and although I no longer lived with my parents or in the same country, we still remained great friends.  Carol and I share a passion for craft since we were kids.  We did art classes together, often spent time talking and making craft stuff, and bounce interesting craft ideas of each other.  She is a beautiful person with a lot of patience, sweet nature and has great ideas for anything everything crafty.

I used the humble HST to make a simple configuration to reflect on the innocence and non-complicated life that we felt as children back then.  Our childhood was filled with lots of play, crafts and tea-parties with our teddy bears and dolls in the garden, and many other simple pleasures in life!  

The overall quilt has a nostalgic childhood feel to it.  It reminds me of how the days used to passed by so slowly and every play time felt like an adventure or a craft idea to be discovered.  I can imagine us as kids using this quilt as our play mat, building a tent out of it, or using it as a picnic rug for our tea parties.

I made this quilt to thank her for her support in every part of my journey, for the endless creative ideas that we have both shared and will still continue to share, and most of all for our beautiful childhood and friendship.

"Friendship isn't about whom you know the longest... It's about who came, and never left your side."

 - Unknown-

Quilt Facts:

Design: Humble HST

Quilt Size: 60" x 72"

Quilting: Machine ditch stitched 

Fabric: Sew Cherry & Emma Louise in Mint

Backing: Bijoux Swirly Buds Gold & remnants from Sew Cherry & Salt Air 

Progress links:

Journey 1

Journey 2

Simple things in Life

Olivia's quilt

This quilt was made for cute little Olivia on December 2011

This quilt design came from one of favorite quilt book titled Material Obsession by Kathy Doughty.  To know more about this amazing quilter, you can check her out on her website http://www.materialobsession.com.au and her blog http://www.materialobsession.typepad.com/

This is a simple quilt that has lovely hand stitched detailing of cute little symbols such as a daisy, cherries, rainbow, hearts and so forth.  It reminds me of the simple things in life that we often take for granted as adults.  We often seek to add more to what we already have, on a quest to fulfill a void that never seemed to be satisfied, and to constantly search for that 'big thing' to make us happier.

 

"It is the simple things in life that are the most extraordinary." Paulo Coelho

Quilt design: Candy Shop
By: Sarah Fielke of Material Obsession: Contemporary Quilt Designs
Size: 52" x 52" (approx.)
Fabric: Cape Ann charm pack
Quilting:  Hand quilted using DMC Perle 8 in pink and red