I have done projects. Lots and lots of projects. So, I guess it is time to catch this blog up so that I can keep keeping track of what is going on.
I recently made a baby quilt for a new baby girl in the family. Momma likes bright colors and daddy loves elephants. So, I found this quilt and pinned it, knowing that it would soon become a project. Here is a pic of the inspiration...
Source: www.sew-much-ado.com
There was a tutorial for the quilt above, but I like to just wing it. It kind of feels more creative, or fun, or maybe just allows me to make mistakes and not feel so bad. I'm sure that I recreate the wheel at times, but I guess that is how you learn best.
We originally thought that we would do 4 squares and each one would be made by me, one by grandma, one by another aunt, and the last by another aunt. But, instead we did it all together, and bought all the fabric together. We kind of did it assembly-line style with cutting, ironing, measuring, and I sewed it together. Oh, and I just free hand sketched an elephant based on the picture above. Maybe I should post that to this post for reference... huh? I will make a note of that. :)
We ended up buying a LOT of fabric. Not sure how we calculated...or miscalculated... the fabric to end up with so much extra, but it made for a few cute extras.
Here is the final products!
Here is our quilt. I didn't even measure how big it was, but each square in total was maybe 16 " x 16".
On the back, we put a super-soft, super fun yellow fleece. Different textures are so stimulating to growing babies.
A little detail we added, that I don't think was on the inspiration quilt, was elephant ears. How fun for a little one to discover the ears! I think it makes the quilt, really. Oh, and we left the edges of the elephants raw so that they would fray when washed over and over. We thought it would add a fun detail, and we kind of had to when our first plan failed.... miserably.
Also, we included a satin border. Again with the different texture thing. My little man loves satin-y textures, so hopefully this little baby girl will like it, too!
A layer of Warm & Natural batting in the middle makes it super cozy.
And a close-up of each square. Don't you just love this bird fabric?
Super bright and lots of contrast for baby's developing eyes.
The paisly-stripe square is my favorite, for sure.
More patterns, more bright colors, and more contrast!
With some of the leftover fabric, I made a little mini-blanket. You know, to take along in the car, or have in the crib as a security blankie... and it is full of texture (soft yellow on back) and contrast again.
So fun.
And, because I just can't help myself, I had to make an elephant pillow. But, it ended up looking more like an anteater with a nub for a tail. :) I still think she is pretty cute.
And, of course, soft yellow on the backside.
I love the skinny legs.
All layered up and ready to go!