A is for "Alex"
My daughter told me such a sweet story about her baby boy "Alex". His brothers have their own quilts that grandma made for them several years ago.. before little Alex was born... they use their quilts for more than to cover their beds.. TV/Movie watching, the beach, out in the grass, or just to snuggle. "They love them". I made their quilts in the same primary colors but I used a "Sports Theme"...
My daughter told me about two weeks ago, "Now that her 3yr old can read his name, when the older brothers grab their blankets he looks sad and says, "Alex Blanket". Gina gives him one blanket, then another, only to have him look sad and put it down saying "Alex Blanket"...
Well that was my que.. Time for me to get busy and make "Alex his own Quilt".
The first order of business was to find the fabrics.. Primary colors are easy to find in any fabric store, but the sports theme was not... So knowing "Alex loves fish"", especially the "Octopus" ( he walks around the house waiving his arms pretending he is an Octopus) I thought this to be the perfect theme for him.
I went digging in my scrap fabric chest and found some pieces of solid color flannel and used these pieces also.. cotton and flannel combined makes for a nice soft feel...
I know all of you "Quilters" out there will frown upon my method of cutting.. I don't do "cutting wheel" very well and I just measure the squares and cut with scissors, not doing a very good job of being perfect.. but it works for me...I'm not really good at matching squares in the perfect corners. And, I just sew the squares together in a hurried way.. I think I put in about 4 days time to complete this quilt.
Laying the fabric on the bed as I go along.. trying to evenly space the fabric designs.. (you'll notice my Rikki sitting on the bed very disturbed because "I took over her nap spot").
Once I had the entire piece finished I used the top design, twin size piece, then the batting, and the third layer is a flat 600 count sheet backing,for softness. I chose a sheet instead of muslin because of the price...On a good sale a sheet is so much cheeper then muslin fabric. For the batting. I used, low-loft. To make it easier for a little boy to be able to carry the quilt around.. not too heavy!
I then added my special touch.. so the boys, years from now, knows "Grandma made it".
23 comments:
I love the quilt. I have a t shirt quilt I have made for my daughter when she finally has a baby!!
Alex is gonna love his blankie from Grandma.
My next goal in life is to learn to quilt. I honestly just learned to thread a needle and use a basic machine this year
What a great quilt, and a precious family heirloom! You have inspired to overcome my fear of quilting. Even though I sew, I'm a bit timid about quilting.
Do you have any suggestions, or should I just jump in?
that is so very sweet sandy! it's perfect, i love the homemade tag too.
i tried sending you an email last week, just to thank you. but it just came back to my inbox undelivered today (my issue, i'm sure).
also, i'm going to have to try your snack idea below. i love garbanzo beans! and it's just one of those words that you love saying... garbanzo! ;)
~ ana
You kept saying you didn't do the corners perfect or that you didn't line things up just so. I think it looks fabulous and Alex will love his Alex Blanket!
This is a great quilt!!!!
Nice work :-)
I love the quilt--time for me to learn how. I'd love to make things that can be handed down through the years.
The time and thought you put into making the Alex quilt is worth more than anything. He will feel your love every time he uses his blanky!
Thanks for linking,
XO
Heidi - Heart and Home
I love the colors - it turned out great! And I'm sure he'll treasure it.
What a great quilt! I don't have the patience for quilting but admire those who do! I bet Alex will just love it!!!
How sweet. The quilt turned out really cute. He'll always cherish his special quilt.
La
Oh, sweet little boy. What a great Grandma you are!
That is beautiful. I am so glad he got one of this own.
Great A post! I love the quilt. I keep thinking I want to try making a quilt, but I don't know when I'll find the time. You've done an excellent job.
What a lucky grandmother these children have. Alex's quilt is so special and he now can show off to his older brothers!!
-Check out the link for info on my blogaversary giveaway:
http://rnsane.blogspot.com/2010/09/flash-55-friday-happy-anniversary-to-me.html#links
I love little personal touches on quilt! This is colorful, fun, and special!
Alex is going to be one very happy boy! And he is lucky to have a grandma who can make such a beautiful quilt in four days.
I am in awe, seriously.
=)
Alex is a very lucky little boy to have such a talented Grandma. My poor little guys have a grandmother who is seriously impaired when it comes to crafts!
This is wonderful! I love the colors and the personalization. And I love that you just 'did it'!
Thanks for this sweet, sweet stop on our little journey through Alphabe-Thursday.
Your whole post made me smile.
Thank you for linking.
A
Lovely but I have to say I think teacher undermarked your work. A+ from me.
Iwhen we bought our first home I was expecting number 1 . the house had awful carpets and I wanted to be able to put the baby on the floor so I used remnents from the quilt covers and bumber sets I had made and managed to produce a small quilt . I plan to make each of my grandchildren one, when I get grandchildren that is. I am not a quilter I have a go at everything but am great at nothing
I loved this post - just imagining the delight on a 3 year old's face when he realizes that this is his very own quilt. What a wonderful grandma!
Hi there! I am your newest follower from the blog hop! Lovely blog you have:) You can find me at www.bouffeebambini.blogspot.com
BEAutiful quilt
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