operation hush hush is complete
When I make something for someone, a particular person, I always find it quite hard, simply because I worry about if it will work properly, if they will like it, will it simply be good enough.
So when I found out that our best friends were expecting their first baby last December, I knew that I had to make something for their baby, that would be for the baby, and would last, and was useful. So here I was, at the point that I needed to decide what I was going to make.
So a quilt, a quilt that could be used in a cot, in a buggy, to lay on, and to lay the other way round on a single bed. Sounds so simple, but then I had to decide on the fabric, very hard.
In the end I decided to go for Aneela Hoey designed fabrics, which I managed to get from a selection of online fabric shops : ) Also to contrast the patterns I use some lovely cotton solids and some beautifully soft grey and red needlecord. I decided to back it with a wonderful Robert Kaufman flannel, soft and warm. The binding, well I was to worry about that later!
So I had my fat quarters, and now to work on the design, I’m not going to bore you, but I wanted to have a simple design, so I went for a 2.5″ square design, with longer strips running within the squares!
It went really well, cutting and pinning and then stitching, so then, I had to baste it with madly expensive safety pins (really, how much can they charge for putting a bit more of a bend in them!), and then quilt it. I used Warm and Natural as the middle, and it was lovely to work with.
It was at this point that I was really worried, because if I cocked it up this time, I would have to start all over again. As I had gone for straight lines of fabric, I decided to go for stitched circles for the quilting, and it worked! Honestly I was shocked that it went so well!
So then I had to trim, and then bind. I couldn’t find the right sort of ready to use binding, so based on other peoples fantastic tutorials I was able to make my own binding and bind it, really easily! Just for info I used cotton voile, double thickness, lovely to use!
I enjoyed the hand sewing of the binding too, it was gentle and therapeutic : )
So all make, then to wash and dry, the last place where it could let me down, where it could fall apart, it didn’t, and I was so proud of myself, that I had managed to make something that was out of my comfort zone, and had to be perfect.
Today I met baby Ella, only just 24 hours old, she was beautiful, and I felt so lucky that I was able to make something for her. I hope that maybe I can make something else for her, and that I really need to make the cover for her Mummy’s wireless keyboard!
I would also like to say thank to Manda and Katy, their help and advice really helped me more than I can thank them for, when I panicked, they were there, thank you xx
(ps the final size was approx. 33″ x 39″)
19th June 2012 @ 9:23 pm
simply beautiful… many congrats xxx
19th June 2012 @ 9:40 pm
You really don’t have to thank me, I did nothing and you’ve done an amazing job, as I knew you would!! But thank you 🙂
19th June 2012 @ 10:31 pm
Wow! Just, wow!!!!
19th June 2012 @ 11:39 pm
It is so beautiful! I am sure baby Ella will treasure this for many years to come!
20th June 2012 @ 8:29 am
You are so talented Lorna, I love the circle stitching, it looks so effective..what a treasure!
20th June 2012 @ 10:20 am
Gorgeous… what a beautiful quilt. Well done. I particularly like the off-centre circular quilting… I might have to try that myself!
21st June 2012 @ 2:21 pm
what an incredible labour of love; that is just stunning. it’s a work of art, and you should be very proud of yourself : )
23rd June 2012 @ 11:15 pm
Lorna, it’s beautiful! I love the fabrics and textures – Well done!
6th July 2012 @ 9:18 am
WOW ! I Don’t know what to say… gorgeous ! amazing ! incredible ! wonderfull ! I’m a huge huge fan of your blanket, really : the colors, how you managed to arrange them, the spiral, it’s beautiful, really 🙂
29th July 2012 @ 12:03 am
Wow. Very impressive, I love it.