WIP & Pranks
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Happy April 1st! I hear that I’m supposed to be tricking you all, but I don’t think that will actually be happening. As a child, I never liked being the target of April Fools Day pranks- probably because I got picked on enough the rest of the year. Fortunately, As I’ve grown up, I’ve found myself surrounded by much more awesome people- the kind that don’t need to treat others badly to feel good about themselves.
Many of those people have been my friends in the blogging world, the quilter in particular. You’ve always been great to give encouragement when it was needed, and to give honest opinions in the nicest way possible.
With that being said, I need your honest opinions about a baby quilt idea I had. A friend of mine is having a baby, and I’d like to make a baby quilt for her. I’m wanting to go ahead and get started on the quilt even though it will be a while until they know the gender.
I’m wanting to make an I Spy quilt for this baby. My plan was inspired by the beautiful economy block version made by Michael over at Michael Ann Makes.
Photo originally from Michael Ann Makes.
I love how scrappy the quilt is, and it’s just a great refreshing take on the I Spy design.
For my version, I started by fussy cutting 4.5″ squares out of neutral colored novelty prints, and then pairing them with more saturated colors for my outer triangles. I’m pleased with the concept, but am having difficulty finding child friendly novelty prints in a more neutral pallet.
Should I use brighter fabrics for the centers, mix the brighter fabrics in, or keep this where I was headed? If I stay with more neutral centers, what fabrics, particularly novelty prints would you recommend?
Sharing over at: WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced, Let's Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts
Search the Japanese fabrics at places like Pink Castle or Fabric Worm or better yet an LQS with fat quarters. There are a lot of kid friendly prints and many in low volume colorways. You might also look for swatches from spoonflower, although that could get pretty pricey pretty fast.
I very well may need to go online. I’ve been to a couple of my local quilt shops already, but I’m still needing more neutral centers.
I love what you have started. The colours and idea may not be traditional but that’s what I like about it. Keep going and trust yourself. Looks great so far!
Thanks so much! I’m hoping it works out the way I see it in my head.
I love your idea for the quilt and I would stick with it. I find that etsy can be a great source of fabrics for this sort of project. Do searches focussed on designer or theme in the fabric section and see what is available. Aneela Hoey and Natalie Lymer have some very cute prints that could work well in your design. Timeless Treasures print all sorts of fabrics that would fit well with your idea and I defintiely think that the idea of looking for Japanese fabrics already suggested is a great one. Bugfabric.com is another great resource for themed fabrics. It’s not just bug themed fabrics (although there are a good selection of them) and if nothing else it is worth a browse for inspiration.
Thanks for the confidence in my idea, and the source for fabric. I’ve never been to bugfabric.com before. I’ll be sure to check it out.
It’s looking pretty good to me the way you are showing it, but if you want more neutrals, I definitely would go online – you can find anything you want online – Riley Blake has a lot of kid-friendly prints, btw.
Thanks for the tip Carrie! I’ll be sure to look at Riley Blake fabrics.
No idea what to tell you but I like your first blocks. They look pretty and neutral to me 😉
Thanks Vera! That makes me feel better about where this is going.
I think the beauty of a baby quilt is that you don’t have to follow rules for gender. I’d choose happy colors, and lots of them. The more stimulating the quilt, the better for baby. What you’ve got so far is great, I’d keep going and try not to be confined by using only gender neutral colors.
I’ll keep that in mind Kate. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
Of course you know what I did for Isa’s baby quilt–go way out there! 😉 But I love what you’ve done so far. Go with your heart, whatever makes you feel good. I’m sure the parents will love the fact that you took the time and effort to make a gift.
When I got married about 32 yrs ago, mothers dressed babies in white, of all colours! And it was all ruffles and lace and satin ribbons. Now, kids are dressed in bright colours and easy-care fabrics. Trousers for little girls–shock! Horror! LOL but both the mothers and the kids love it. Rules? Who writes the “rules”? Do what you feel.