This quilt is for my sisters baby girl Leila Blossom. My sister loves
bright colours. In fact the Bird Tree range was designed with her
favourite colour of green in mind. I started thinking about what quilt I
would make her when my sister was pregnant. When she visited me a while
a go I asked her which fabrics she liked?
"All of them " she replied.
"Ok so which one is your favourite?" I asked for a bit more clarity.
"The Elk Landscape in purple," was her reply.
"But you don't like purple" I said and I mean she really doesn't. I can tell you she has told me a million times ! Silence ensued as she kept on stroking the fabric.
"It is my favourite, I like purple now. This fabric makes me like purple!"
I pursed my lips and stared deep into her eyes and as two sisters who know each other only too well burst into laughter. I suppose she can change a life time decision not to like purple.
So that is all the help she gave me for this quilt, which means I got to do and use what I wanted. I suppose it is a gift for her daughter.
"All of them " she replied.
"Ok so which one is your favourite?" I asked for a bit more clarity.
"The Elk Landscape in purple," was her reply.
"But you don't like purple" I said and I mean she really doesn't. I can tell you she has told me a million times ! Silence ensued as she kept on stroking the fabric.
"It is my favourite, I like purple now. This fabric makes me like purple!"
I pursed my lips and stared deep into her eyes and as two sisters who know each other only too well burst into laughter. I suppose she can change a life time decision not to like purple.
So that is all the help she gave me for this quilt, which means I got to do and use what I wanted. I suppose it is a gift for her daughter.
As the ultra sound could not show the gender of the baby I assumed she would have a boy so I made a boy's quilt, I will share that one in a while. When Leila was born I started to sketch up ideas around her middle name Blossom. I wanted to hand-stitch this quilt so I knew I needed to leave space to feature the running stitch.
As my sister liked so many fabrics I included a lot of them in the flowers and the solid blocks letting the patterns do the work. The centre panel of appliqued flowers is 50cm square, which is bound by 5cm strips of the Squiggly Flowers.
For the back I used the Elk Landscape in purple to make it a double sided quilt.
The entire quilt is hand stitched with running stitch. Every time I threaded the needle I used a different coloured thread. WonderFil Tutti Frutty thread is an Egyptian cotton which is thinner than Pearl cotton, is so much easier to use as it glides effortlessly through the three layers. It is also thicker than quilting thread so it offers a lovely texture. The variegated thread created a lovely colour combination and kept fascinating me.
Then I named the quilt, dated and signed it! I thought I should use a few selvages with my name on it as well just for fun! Finally I bound Leila's quilt with the Blossom patch, a favourite of mine from the Bird Tree range.
The last step was a father's day outing to the Art Gallery and a meander through the Botanical Gardens to take some pictures and enjoy a garden in full force of the approaching Spring. Once my sister received it I pressed publish.
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Bec commented on 20-Sep-2010 09:22 PM
Saffron, Its so so beautiful... I cant believe all that hand quilting!! Have you had nothing to do!! haha!! It wouldve taken soo long! Its so worth it though.. looks AMAZING! xxx mmm i havent tried my Eqyptian Cotton yet.. bit excited though xx hope to catch up soon xx
Nova commented on 17-Sep-2010 11:20 AM
love the quilt you made so much! I'm really interested in the threads you used for the quilting - is there a supplier in Australia do you know? x
Nicole Okimura commented on 14-Sep-2010 03:54 PM
Just adorable as always Saffron xxx Im sure Yvette and baby will love it!
Kate Henderson commented on 14-Sep-2010 02:36 PM
It is gorgeous - what a wonderful present.
Neecie Selby commented on 14-Sep-2010 10:55 AM
I think it's a truly unique and fabulously girly quilt. Leila will certainly adore it; and like your sister, I absolutely love the Elk landscape in purple. (& I don't normally care for yellow! hehe) I enjoy the way you incorporated the selvages in the dedication block~ what a novel idea! Changing thread colors each time also intrigues me. Thank you for such fresh and vibrant patterns.
Gail McClain commented on 14-Sep-2010 10:20 AM
The quilt is lovely. I am a quilter and have made baby quilts for my 2 grandaughters. Your fabrics are wonderful and the colors are great. I love your style of quilting and the overall design. This quilt has a feel of free spirit. I am sure the little one will charish it.
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