Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Birthday Bonanza Part 2: No Clue Keepsake Quilt



As previously mentioned, my daughter's 1st birthday is at the end of the month & I set the crazy craft lady bar at I'm going to craft her entire party level.  And no, I do not have a housecleaner, babysitter or plan to pull crafting all nighters to achieve this.  I just figured I'd start early & pace myself one project at a time.  I've also got a very tight budget, so it's full on thrifty crafting too.  Yeah, I know, I'm a bit ridiculous.  Most of you already know this, maybe it's part of my charm.....So then I got the bright idea to make her a little quilt as a gift.  Have I mentioned I've never made a quilt before and didn't even try to look up how?   Yeah, full-on crazy lady here.

Since I started sewing 2 years ago I've discovered that it's sometimes easier for me to just figure out my own way to make stuff than to follow directions.  This was one of those times.  I decided to make a keepsake quilt by using scraps leftover from all the projects I've made for her over this first year (the outfit she wore home from the hospital, moses basket bedding, bonnets, countless dresses, etc.):




I cut them all into 4 inch squares and laid them out 6 squares wide by 7 squares long and moved them around until the colors & prints looked good to me.  That part probably took the longest!  Then I stitched the squares together across, pressed open the seams and then stitched those strips together and pressed open those seams.  


I'd bought 1 yard of the pink polka dot fabric for $2.50, so I cut some strips from it to "frame" my patchwork and used the rest of it for the backing.  I sandwiched in some leftover batting I had and then drew diagonal lines across it every two inches & then stitched on them.  The back fabric was a few inches larger on each side, so I just folded it forward to make a built-in binding.  I couldn't even tell you my process for mitering the corners - I just folded it until it looked good & then stitched the whole way around.  I used this lovely doll quilt my fabulously crafty aunt had made for me when I was little as inspiration (and my only real quilting reference tool):


Hers had a lot of gorgeous, color coordinating & was hand-stitched!! 


And I still love the back fabric of it as much as I did as a kid:


So now my baby will have a little quilt to love like I loved mine.  All in all, I'm pretty happy my first quilt turned out pretty nice, used up a lot of scraps & will be a special present for my little girl.  Not bad for not having a clue what to do!

Sharing this with my fave link parties too so check them out here!

30 comments:

  1. It looks great. I'm sure she'll love it, and later, wrap her dollies in it. I think I learn more by just jumping in a trying something more often than not.

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  2. What a lovely quilt you've made!

    I think thrify crafting is the best kind. Much more satisfying than spending a fortune on fabrics (although that's fun too)!! xx

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  3. sooooo beautiful...quilts are theeee best:)

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  4. Thanks for linking up to the Mad Skills party this week!

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  5. It turned out so cute!

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  6. Cheryl - your quilt is really lovely, I'm sure your little girl will treasure it for years to come.. I love that all the scraps came from projects from her first year..

    I also like to figure out and make things up as I go ;)

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  7. Lovely quilt. You'll daughter will treasure it, I am sure.

    I noticed that the one your aunt made seems to have the softness of old cotton (I have a hard time parting with my old bedsheets. Y

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  8. your blog is so well now - you really 'can do' when it comes to sewing! I like your 'just have a go' approach and it's a fabulous result. What was the flower fairies left over square from?

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  9. Hi Cheryl, This is truly lovely . I can't believe you've only been sewing for a couple years... looks like you're a pro. I found you through Night Owl Crafting and I'm your newest follower. Stop by if you get a chance!

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  10. Beautiful! Following you from Me and My Bucket! I did something similar (it's posted somewhere on my blog, lol).

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  11. What a beautiful keepsake and thrifty too. I still have a quilt my mother made for me when I was
    10 and I even remember some of the clothes the quilt was made from. She will cherish always.

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  12. Adorable!!! I hope when I finally get my first quilt finished it will be just as darling as yours! Your baby certainly is gonna love it!

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  13. You did a fabulous job! Great work.

    Question ... did you stitch in the ditch and then do your diamond pattern or did you just do the diamond pattern? I ask because I am doing a queen size quilt for my son and want the diamond effect but am confused about the stabalizing stitch in the ditch requirement.

    Thanks!

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  14. Lovely, lovely, lovely! A great way to salvage scraps!

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  15. It is beautiful as is the sentiment. I love quilts!

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  16. what a beautiful quilt! I'm sure your daughter will love it!!

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  17. Not bad AT ALL for being a first timer. For goodness sakes...it's awesome. Great job!! :)

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  18. How darling. You did such a nice job and used such pretty fabrics. The back is as sweet as can be. Thank you for linking with Fabric Fun Thursday.

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  19. Absolutely beautiful and colorful quilt!
    I am a new follower from New Friend Friday, so glad to have found your blog and I look forward to seeing all of your creations. Have a wonderful weekend!

    Eloise
    Mommy2TwoGirls
    http://mommy2twogirls.blogspot.com/

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  20. Hey! I am visiting from NFF!
    That is an adorable quilt!

    Zig-Zags and Polka Dots
    http://zigzagsandpolkadots.blogspot.com

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  21. Pretty quilt! That's one talent I don't have.

    Thanks so much for visiting my blog

    Hannah
    http://youngancrafty.blogspot.com/

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  22. I'm stopping by from NFF!

    What a beautiful quilt! My mother-in-law quilts, and I hope to learn someday. I want to make keepsakes quilts for my kids.

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  23. Thanks so much for all the sweet comments everyone!!

    More Than A Mom - I know absolutely nothing about "proper" quilting, LOL, but I stitched all the squares together first (right sides together with a 1/4" seam allowance) and after I sandwiched them with the batting & back, stitched the diagonal lines on. It seems pretty stable to me, so I wouldn't think any further stitching would be needed. Hope that helps!!

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  24. Following you from Boost My Blog Friday. I would appreciate it if you could stop over and follow me back. Terry
    My Journey With Candida

    http://myjourneywithcandida.blogspot.com/

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  25. Following you from Boost My Blog Friday. I would appreciate it if you could stop over and follow me back. Terry
    My Journey With Candida

    http://myjourneywithcandida.blogspot.com/

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  26. The quilt is lovely and what a wonderful idea to craft her birthday.

    Thanks for linking up on Crafty Friday!

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  27. Oh, my. It's lovely and you can't tell it's your first ever quilt! She'll appreciate this thoughtful gift forever...

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  28. I'm in the middle of my first quilt (queen sized, what was I thinking????)! This turned out SO great Cheryl! LOVE it, and the fact that you used fun fabric full of great memories for you and her! Thanks for linking up to Topsy Turvy Tuesday's!

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Getting your comments brightens my day. I'd love if you left one:)

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