Last year at this time we were just settling into our house in Seattle, and I blogged about my What Lies Ahead quilt for Blogger's Quilt Festival. That quilt was a wedding gift for my step brother and his wife, who are now expecting a baby! So it only seems appropriate that I would show For Oliver With Love, the baby quilt that I made for them, this year!
When I first started thinking about a baby quilt for Oliver, I asked my SIL to send me some pics of the nursery. She sent along this image:
The very first thing that I noticed was the Aviary 2 print in the pillows. I was surprised to see a fabric that I recognized, especially a fabric from the exact same line that I used for their wedding quilt! I ordered some Aviary 2 and started thinking more about a design for the quilt. The wire baskets hung on the wall really stuck out in my mind, so using that idea I came up with what I'm calling the "Orange Crates" design for the quilt front. Just as I did in the wedding quilt, I added in some solids with the prints.
(This is what happens when you ask your 4-year old to tightly grip the edges of a quilt as it dangles precariously above water:)
As I was piecing the top, I started to think about the quilt back. I wanted something personal, so I started with the idea of improv piecing "Oliver". That soon evolved into "For Oliver with Love".
Some closer shots of the front:
And back:
I had to use double batting in this quilt, because the dark letters were showing through to the front. I was a bit worried about the quilt looking too poofy with the extra batting, so I did some simple, dense, organic line quilting. A quick trip through the washer and dryer, and it still looks great! The quilting does shrink the quilt up a bit width-wise, which I think will relax with use.
I machine stitched the binding on with the help of fusible thread (thanks for the tip, Felicity!), and added a label.
The quilt is now on it's way to my step brother and SIL, hopefully it will arrive before Oliver makes his appearance!
Details:
Prints are Aviary 2 by Joel Dewberry
Solids are Kona in meringue, curry, coal, and charcoal. Quilter's Linen in stone.
Binding is Quilter's Linen in stone.
Organic line quilting
Finished size: 40" x 57"
Prints are Aviary 2 by Joel Dewberry
Solids are Kona in meringue, curry, coal, and charcoal. Quilter's Linen in stone.
Binding is Quilter's Linen in stone.
Organic line quilting
Finished size: 40" x 57"
Now all there is to do is anxiously wait to hear that Oliver has arrived!
Be sure to hop over to the Blogger's Quilt Festival to check out all of the great quilts people are sharing!
27 comments:
SO beautiful and special Nikki. I'm sure it will be much loved. And seriously, is that their nursery? How awesome is that!
This is wonderful and so special!
What a fabulous quilt - lucky Oliver!
I just adore this quilt! So perfect for a sweet little boy. And their nursery looks so cool! But of course it will be much cooler once your quilt is in there!
Oliver's quilt is so beautiful! You have designed it wonderful with lovely colours and I love the text! x Teje
Ohhhhhhhhh I just love it!!
What a wonderful quilt, so full of love and play!
Have a great day.
Always, Queenie
Well, I think the back should be the front! Love it!
Love that aviary fabric, too. I've used some and have more to use. Love the heavy use of organic quilting on this.
Beautiful!
And oh, my, their nursery is incredible!
I LOVE everything about this quilt. Gorgeous : )
Such a great nursery and I really like the dense quilting you have done!
It is beautiful! Love the piecing and the dense quilting looks great :)
A thin cotton lining is also a good alternative to adding an additional layer of batting. I like your quilt!
Be sure to have a look at my blog :-)
Margaret Gunn
www.quiltsoflove.blogspot.com
Just as a matter of interest. Where did you get the idea for the letters? They are very very Tonya Riccuci.
Love the back.
Love the text and colors. I am such a fan of words on quilts and Joel Dewberry. I know Oliver will enjoy it for years to come.
Very nice!! I really like the improv pieced lettering. Thanks for sharing.
Nikki, you are amazing! The quilt matches wonderfully! Love the name Oliver on it, too! Great post for the Festival.
very, very sweet!
This is so beautiful, Nikki!
I'm so impressed with your letter piecing - it's so cool!
Beautiful quilt, and such an unusual design. I am sure Oliver will love it :-)
I looove your block setting on the front. All the negative space is just so restful. The pieced letters are fab. Glad the fusible thread worked for you!
Awesome. How pretty this is.
Love that! Beautiful quilting!
I am nominating this as my favorite baby quilt! I love this! The room is so cute, the colors are perfect. How did you do the letters appliqué or piecing? Awesome job!
Very elegant, I love all the negative space and the message on the back is such a nice touch.
love the story and how you implemented it.
I love this quilt!
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