[Whistler]

This winter while we wait for our adoption, I decided to make a quilt for our baby and do it all by hand (reading Little House helped inspire this).

Here is the finished product, all hand pieced and hand quilted. It's the first quilt I have ever done like this (have done a few of the type where you sew together squares and tie it with yarn) and I am pleased with the result.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3t7VJ3_Q6e...s320/quilt.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3t7VJ3_Q6e...0/DSC09408.JPG

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...n/DSC08915.jpg

My quilting friend keeps telling me I ought to display this somewhere rather than risk damage to it by using it. I think, though, that since I made it for my baby I'll go ahead and use it. Back in the pioneer days quilts were for practical use and since I made this quilt in that spirit I'll continue it by using the quilt for Baby Bear. Several hundred years ago, a finely made quilt was a symbol of love as the hundreds of hours taken to craft it and make it beautiful represented such an investment. I like to think that even today a quilt lovingly and carefully made can wrap love around the person it's intended to cover.

 

[MamaDona]

This is beautiful! What amazing work. And I completely agree that quilts are made to be used, especially one that you made while waiting for a baby to join your family.

What templates did you use for the cube parts?

 

[Whistler]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MamaDona This is beautiful! What amazing work. And I completely agree that quilts are made to be used, especially one that you made while waiting for a baby to join your family. What templates did you use for the cube parts?

I just used my big ruler, following the 60/30 degree angle line.

 

[ledzepplon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MamaDona This is beautiful! What amazing work. And I completely agree that quilts are made to be used, especially one that you made while waiting for a baby to join your family.

:

So beautiful. What a lucky baby!

 

[Whistler]

Thanks! I know it's not a very "babyish" pattern but I wanted a design that would keep me interested through months of making it as well as being a keepsake her whole life, not just when she is a baby.

 

[MamaDona]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whistler Thanks! I know it's not a very "babyish" pattern but I wanted a design that would keep me interested through months of making it as well as being a keepsake her whole life, not just when she is a baby.

Don't forget to put a label on it, so she knows how long it took you and that you hand-pieced it and hand-quilted it.

 

[carole3]

What a beautiful quilt.

 

[orangefoot]

That is a gorgeous quilt! When I clicked on the link I gasped

: I'm sure your new babe will treasure this for a very long time and I agree with you that you should use it an love it every day.

 

[sh118]

Wow! Your hand quilting is beautiful! And so is the color/pattern.

 

[fourgrtkidos]

OMG. You should be SO PROUD of yourself. DIsplay it but on a bed. I still use a quilt my great grandmother made for me when born. It makes me feel my family's love..... all the cloth was old clothes from different members.

Anyone who sleeps under that beautiful work of art is sure to have blessed dreams.

Kudos to you Mamma.

 

[sarahope]

It's gorgeous! Yes, use it daily. I have many well worn quilts that my mom made, and I love them. I know she's happy that the quilts have been wrapped around us for years rather than sitting stiffly on a shelf somewhere so as not to damage them.

 

[Porcelain Interior]

Oh bravo! That is STUNNING!

I've only handquilted a handful of my quilts. It's so time consuming, but the look you achieve cannot be replicated by machine.

You did a really lovely job, how long did the quilting take? How big is the quilt?

If I were you I'd use the quilt until the baby was too big for it, and then I'd display it on the wall.

Really pretty! I love it.

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[Whistler]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porcelain Interior Oh bravo! That is STUNNING! How big is the quilt?

Thanks for the encouragement.

I have never done it before so I don't know how it compares in quality to other quilts.

It's crib-sized. About 45" wide or so.

 

[Think of Winter]

It is really beautiful! What a lovely gift for your child.

 

[courtenay_e]

Well, it's just beautiful! Your work is precise and even...it's well planned out, and just really looks lovely. Your child should be honored.

 

[LittleBlessings]

beautiful quilt

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[curliemama]

Simply gorgeous.

 

[amandaleigh37]

Ohh that is so lovely!! What a lucky babe. It will be cherished for a lifetime, no doubt. (And definitely use it

 

[Stone Fence]

Wow. Your quilting stitches are just beautiful. The quilt is just beautiful too.

 

[yogafeet]

you are so talented!

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