When she became pregnant last year with her son, her first baby, I really wanted to do something very special for them. A gift which would represent her love of her friends for her and life in general. So of course I thought about making her a quilt. When I suggested the idea to Kirstin she really liked the idea to ask her friends to gift a 20cm square of fabric of their choice instead of baby gifts. She ended up receiving both fabric and a huge amount of gifts.
I also offered to host her baby shower and made up the invitations. Kirstin absolutely wanted a costume party! So it was a Mad Hatters themed party but stretched to become any character from your favorite story, which was crazy. I dressed up as a fairy naturally. One of the quests brought 50 cup cakes with Eat Me written on it. So we did, so much fun.
Kirstin is the white rabbit.
When Arlo was born I had not yet finished the quilt, so I made a small one first for the pram using some of the delicious fabrics Kirstin had been given.
Then I set to finish the big quilt. Arlo's quilt is patch-worked together using 25cm squares up to a few 50cm squares. It is absolutely huge! Kirstin is very loved and so many people became involved. Her mum and dad, aunties, uncles and a life time of friends, we all share a huge love for Kirstin that's for sure. One lady got a picture of her dog digitally printed onto a soft cotton, another did an applique of Kirstin's black poodle.
I backed Arlo's quilt with the Elk Landscape in Aquamarine., which is why it took me a while to finish; I had to wait for the fabric to be printed. It was important to me that the quilt is reversible as he will have it for a long long time and it is wonderful to be able to use either side.
The quilt grew in size to cover a
double bed, so too big to fit under my machine, struggle as I might. If I had hand
stitched it I might have taken another few month or more so the best
option was to get the quilt was long arm machine quilted. I chose a
leaf shape in big motives so the quilt feels lovely and soft.
A big thanks to all of you who gave fabrics for this gift. Kirstin just loves them both and uses them every day. Arlo is fascinated by all the patterns. So special for him to be wrapped in such love.
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Baby Shower Invitations commented on 14-Sep-2010 03:42 PM
A costume party is good. I am an organizer for my sister's baby shower too, and I am excited. Thank you for the great advice.
Amelia Sliedrecht commented on 12-Sep-2010 01:34 PM
Wow Saffron! It looked like such a fun party and that is one amazing quilt ... how special :)
Fiona Jowett commented on 11-Sep-2010 12:05 PM
It is a wonderful quilt and the prfect gift for someone who is loved as much as Kirstin. It is only natural to love this woman...she is simply happiness embodied in a human form! It is great to think that the squares given by me and mine will be wrapped around darling Arlo so he can always feel that love for both his mother, himself and his Dad as well!!! I think Saffron made two fantatic quilts, quite a thing to do with so many different types of fabric. For the sake of historical record..Caitlyn, Lachlan Chris and myself gave a number of pieces. The Winnie the Pooh Panels that were extra from the curtains of both kids nurseries, The Very Hngry Caterpillar pieces (hand embroidered by me) and the "Dick and Jane" Panel, also hand stiched by me. Thank you for all your hard work Saffron....and Kirstin thank you for your friendship...it is one of the blessings of my life!!!! Arlo....by the very fact of the family you were born into....you will always be wrapped in the warmth of love!
Kirstin Bokor commented on 10-Sep-2010 02:32 PM
Arlo and I love this quilt - it goes everywhere with us. My hope is that if there is ever a time when he cannot talk to me, he will look at the quilt and be reminded of all these amazing soul mammas who I just know would take is hand and help him work things out.
I think having a baby is a hugely personal experience, and a joyful one - but I do not believe that it is about expensive present giving. Years before I had a baby Saffron said to me "children are about love", and finally I get it. Thank you for making this quilt for us, a tangible sign of all that love. It still blows me away. (I do feel guilty though for suggesting that you put together a quilt of bits and pieces from all my friends - I cannot sew on a button for God's sake - I am sure even now I cannot appreciate the huge amount of work you put into this).
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
I think having a baby is a hugely personal experience, and a joyful one - but I do not believe that it is about expensive present giving. Years before I had a baby Saffron said to me "children are about love", and finally I get it. Thank you for making this quilt for us, a tangible sign of all that love. It still blows me away. (I do feel guilty though for suggesting that you put together a quilt of bits and pieces from all my friends - I cannot sew on a button for God's sake - I am sure even now I cannot appreciate the huge amount of work you put into this).
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
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