Tuesday 23 June 2009

Bow Ties for a Special Boy

When The Bride knew that Baby Isaac was on the way (although we didn't know he was Baby Isaac back then), she asked me to make a special baby crib quilt. So she looked through my quilt books, chose a quilt pattern, and we went shopping. Fabricland here we come!

The baby's room is painted a lovely celery green and white, with dark brown baby furniture and accents, so this combination of fabrics was just right.

After lots of careful measuring and cutting, the quilt assembly began. The basic quilt block is called Bow Tie and consists of 4 squares, 2 of them with corners in contrasting colour, see the picture below.

These Bow Tie blocks can be sewn together to form lots of different geometric patterns, but after many rearrangements on hands and knees on the floor, and sketches going back and forth via the internet, we chose this layout.
This took 48 blocks, each containing 6 pieces of fabric.... that's 288 separate pieces, not counting the strips around the edge.

After the blocks are sewn together and pressed, the next task is to layer the pieced top with soft batting and the backing material, pin it securely, baste the layers together, and then sew through all the layers of fabric, emphasising the block pattern.

I love the cute little animals on the backing fabric.

And the finished product.... Ta Daaaa!

I've since embroidered Isaac's name and date of birth on the backing fabric.
He loves it!

25 comments:

  1. Wow! What a masterpiece! You are so talented. A special boy, indeed. He will treasure this gift from Grandma.
    Hugs

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  2. That's sort-of a psychedelic quilt! Very nice.

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  3. Well, if you read my latest post you already know that I am amazed at those who can quilt and how special that you do.

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  4. Of course he loves it! So do I. ;-)

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  5. Truly a piece of Art Shammie!! I love the colors and the pattern, altho i know I wouldn't be able to do that yet, but someday for sure! I love it!

    the rag edge quilt usually calls for batting inbetween, but i didn't put any because it's already 2 pieces of flannel, which will already be warm enough for us west coasters. My friend has a die-cutter that automatically cuts the dies and 'rag edges', but typically you cut 6" pieces (or whatever size), put 2 pieces wrong sides together, and stitch leaving a 1/4" seam allowance. then once the quilt is done, you snip snip snip along the edge that's out and create your rags. way easier than the quilt you made, no binding, the only piecing is simple squares. a total of 70 blocks, but only 140 separate pieces, and the other side automatically becomes the backing. if you put batting, then batting is sewn between each square block, and an x is sewn thru to keep it all together. google rag edge quilt for more on that one. since i didn't use batting, it was way easier, and since the same color per square is on the reverse side, it's also a lot easier.

    Now you need to get into scrapbooking those lovely grandkiddies of yours and we can have have a cross-continent quilting and scrapbooking Bee! heehee!

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  6. That is a beautiful quilt. Good job, grandma.

    I read your comment on NYC-DP. I discontinued the blog because I'm moving to Maine in 2 weeks to start a new job.

    Thanks again for all your visits and friendship. I will keep you posted on what's new via a new blog in the near future.

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  7. That is pure art.....pure talent.

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  8. Nice bit of work you've done there! Well done!

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  9. Very nice. I like the backing fabric.

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  10. Hi Great piece of Art work there, my friend.

    Thanks for your visits and kind comments and verse.

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  11. WOW! This is gorgeous!!! I applaud your talent!!

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  12. How do you motivate yourself to take on such a task? That's not really a question, ...more like an exclamation. (The answer of course is that you're a little crazy, but we love you anyway.) I find the prospect of quilt projects absolutely daunting.

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  13. That's beautiful. I love the greens in that fabric. I always knew there was a lot of work involved in quilting. You're such a dedicated Grandmother. :)

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  14. Beautiful. I envy anyone who can quilt, both their skill and their patience.
    The colour scheme is very nice for a boys room, I'll bet the quilt looks super.
    What a clever Gran..!

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  15. That is sooo beautiful. Clever you. You are so talented! It is really pretty, practical and just absolutely perfect!

    Still with Jenny helping her with baby Helena. Photos next week!

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  16. How clever you are! I am impressed!

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  17. Oh that is so very beautiful and such a special gift, my dear...I know the work that goes into Quilting....I find it such an amazing "ART" Form....!

    Did you ever see the Show, "QUILTERS"? It is a wonderful tribute the the History and importance of Quilting through the eyes and experience of 7 or women, (all in the same family) back in The Pioneer days...It is a Musical and one of the most BEAUTIFUL shows I've ever seen...My dear friend Betty did it here in Los Angeles at one of our MAJOR Theatres back in the late 1980's early 1990's--I cannot remember exactly...But I DO remember the show and if it is on DVD, you should try to get a hold of it.
    BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL work, my dear....Baby Isaac has The BEST Grandma, ever!.

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  18. My goodness Shammie, that is an absolute masterpiece. I think I would like that quilt myself. Your new grandbaby is so lucky.
    I will comment more later. its bedtime and time to get rest for day 4 of Breakaway. Its been fabulous and the kids have more energy than can be imagined.

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  19. Isaac and I are lucky to have a grandma & mum-in-law with so many amazing talents! Thanks Nana for our blankie! We love you. Hope to see you soon.

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  20. You should truly be friends with my Mum! (Between us, all she seems to turn out in the quilting department are copious amounts of table-runners) The backing to that quilt is so sweet.

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  21. what a beautiful quilt - really an heirloom

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  22. This is beautiful! Clever you!!

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  23. Between you and Mad, quilting will never die! I love it!

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  24. I admire your skills with that design, Shammie - I've seen it in a patchwork magazine, and thought I would try it one day, but now I'm not so sure. I also love the backing material, and suspect that Isaac will grow to love it when he is old enough to recognise animals on it!

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