Quilting [Sentimental Inspirations]

For my first post about quilting, I think it's appropriate that it's all about the reason I began quilting and my favorite part about the craft. It's the thought, meaning, and sentiments that go into the planning and creating. It's making each piece personalized and special for each recipient. Thinking about the recipients, what they cherish and value, what makes them the unique person that is getting this quilt. What do I think of when I think of ____? What colors and feelings match this human? 

As I've gotten into some more commissioned pieces where I don't necessarily know the couple, I still have had the pleasure and fun in seeing their nurseries/homes, Pinterest inspiration, learning about the couple. Trying to envision what that new mom is wanting to create for their little one, what style they're dreaming of... It's fun too to incorporate their choice of baby names if they know already (of course Alice Daisy needed some sweet little daisies). 

I don't have always get perfect points, my quilting lines are not always as straight as I'd like (even with a walking foot, quilting lines, and a guide-- not sure how that happens), and they will probably not be perfectly squared up, but you better believe I have put a lot of love and thought into each step from the colors, the prints, the quilt pattern, how to quilt it (hand or machine/simple or intricate?), all the way to the big stick binding thread color. I often like to tune my Spotify in to the recipients' favorite bands or genres or playlists that make me think of them to really feel that person's presence. It can take me back to old memories of them while making some new.

So I figured I'd share a few of the projects that really stuck out to me.

This one was a super special request for a childhood friend’s little miracle baby. She shared these pictures of her nursery and I was so excited to put together this grow quilt (pattern by Suzy Quilts) for her growing family.

           

       

Another I had fun with was this commissioned quilt-- I got these pictures of the nursery and from her Pinterest and was told they were going for an "Old American Post Millennial" style. I definitely had to look that one up, but was excited to see that it was all about mixing colors and textures, channeling your fancy Grandma's place. Moving away from the monochrome of millennials (I apparently missed this vibe as I was never into that-- bring on the colors, please!) I'm not sure if you can see the green print here, but it's such a fun one with bunnies playing in the woods, going on slides, by the ponds, storks flying in... 

The Inspo... 

And the quilt... 

(or quilts-- I wound up actually making a bonus one because the girl who commissioned the quilt for her sister-in-law really loved the bottom patter but the mama to be had pinned a similar pinwheel pattern on her page. I started with the pinwheel but when I also saw the picture of the rug, I thought the Connector matched so well with its shapes and style so I made it too!)

Patterns: Spinwheel Quilt by Getz Made

Connector Quilt by Homemade Emily Jane 

For one vibrant friend, I needed an equally vibrant quilt, so out came this beaut, inspired by Cool People Quilt's color scheme with my added prints of strawberries and florals and stripes-- I just gotta add the prints. :) 

My mom and I collaborated on this Vintage Lace Quilt that incorporated the beautiful "Couleurs de Cazals"-- the picturesque little French town that my Aunt and Uncle were living in. It has the burgundy wine, green meadows, purple wisteria, tan bricks... just a lovely place. I wish I had a better picture of the backing-- it was a perfect floral with all the colors.

Go to my Insta to find better pictures and other projects! And send over any requests/inquiries about getting your own Abby Quilt.