Thursday, May 5, 2011

Baby Life Quilt

Last week, I teased you all with some sneak peaks of this project.  Did anyone guess that jumble of letters would turn into this?

I've realized I'm a pretty inconsistent gift giver.  If I have an idea of something really fun to make, I'll go all out...otherwise, not so much.  So my sister Maleena lucked out that I've had this quilt on the brain for a while.  When I saw the idea on V & Co a while back, and loved it.  She includes a template for the letters with her post or It's something a little different from the typical quilt, but SO easy. 


Plus...I've still got fabric from Maleena's wedding table runners to use up. 

You might remember this quilt I made her for Christmas

I couldn't work the pink into a boy quilt...especially for a boy named Hunter, but the orange worked, and they seemed to like it. 
I thought about maybe adding "poop." in there somewhere too...but thought better of it. I also thought of making some burp clothes that said, "burp." to match...but I ran out of time.


I changed the dimensions a little because I wanted the quilt to be a bit bigger.  I also sewed down the edges of the letters with a large zigzag stitch using matching thread.  I was pleasantly surprised with how little it showed.  Otherwise I was worried that the letters would come off as the blanket got used.  (I can never bring myself to quite trust the iron-on stuff that way.)

I also love the scrappy quilt binding.  I've had a small bias tape maker for years and never used it.  Then Dana's tutorial on MADE inspired me to buy some bigger bias tape makers and actually try them.  I used Dana's tutorial, except my strips weren't cut on a bias since they were left over strips from making the quilt.  It worked okay for this project that it wasn't cut on a bias since the edges were so straight.  (And if you don't know what I mean by bias, you'll want to check out Dana's tutorial.)

This was also my first attempt at machine quilting.  I've had the foot for it for years (kinda like the bias tape maker) but never tried it.  After trying it...I've decided that I prefer the regular foot for it (or I need a better walking foot) and that the results are good enough that I'll definitely be trying it again.

And because things were so crazy getting it made and driving out-of-town for the baby shower...I only took a few pics of the finished quilt.  So you can look at the same one again...

23 comments:

  1. So so so so CUTE! Good Job Polly! I'm way jealous! It makes me want anoth....meh, never mind. I don't want another baby...I just want the blanket. :) Make me an adult sized one with the same words. hahahaha

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  2. I love the quilt! It's absolutely adorable!

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  3. So lovely, Polly, and especially meaningful because you used their wedding fabric.

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  4. I love it! The color scheme is gorgeously boy, and the scrappy binding looks fantastic!

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  5. Oh my goodness! Beautiful! The colors are PERFECT!

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  6. I love it! I need to learn how to quilt. I saw the tutorial for the 'burp' burp cloths and thought they were super cute too. :)

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  7. Great quilt! I'm about gifts that way, too (waiting to get excited about an idea)!

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  8. I love this, adding "poop" would have been hilarious!

    I laughed when you said you were an "inconsistent gift giver" I'm the same!

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  9. Wow - what a great gift!! I think the burp cloths would be a great idea too! You could totally do them and send them later. Visiting from Tatertots and Jello.

    - Jenn @ Social Salutations

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  10. turned out very nice!!! i love the blanket!

    have a great day!

    I have a giveaway over at my blog!
    http://tootsiewootsieboutique.blogspot.com/2011/05/elloh-handmade-giveaway.html

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  11. I love the baby life quilt. I made one for my little baby last summer and it is still my favorite. Yours looks GREAT! I also thought about putting poop on it, but I decided against.

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  12. This is adorable! I never seen a quilt like this before. very creative!

    I am having a giveaway on my blog. A chance to win $27 sc to get a fabulous organizer from Cmmoca's handmade shop. Ends 11/5. Leave me a comment to win.
    http://houseonashwelllane.blogspot.com/2011/05/27-store-credit-from-cmmocas-handmade.html#comments

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  13. I saw this quilt a while ago and have wanted to make it ever since--I love how yours came out! So cute!

    Rachel @ Maybe Matilda

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  14. I have loved this quilt since the day I saw it. I love the fabric you used! So cute!

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  15. Love this soooo much! My MIL is a quilter and we are expecting in October...hmmmm, I guess I know just what I need now :)

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  16. The quilt turned out wonderfully. Great job.

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  17. that is a wonderful quilt, I'm putting that one on my "must make more baby quilts" list. LOVE LOVE LOVE it!

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  18. You did an excellent job!

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  19. I think this is so cute. Love this idea.

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  20. Very cute! What a great idea!!

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