This little baby quilt has been one of the most fun projects I’ve ever been commissioned to make! The quilt is to be a baby shower gift from the baby’s maternal grandmother, who had saved several pillow cases of her own mother’s. All the white fabric in the quilt top came from cutting apart some white pillow cases she had saved and using that in the piecing. So the new baby girl with have a quilt with some heirloom fabric from her great-grandmother – I love that idea so much, I’m going to start saving for when I have grandchildren someday.
I quilted some continuous line pumpkin seeds in the center of the quilt, and 2″ piano keys in the border. It turned out very soft and cuddly – the pillow cases and the 100% cotton fabric washed beautifully and already feel velvety and smooth so will feel snuggly for the new baby.
And the backing is two more floral cases the grandmother had that, sewn together, fit the back almost perfectly.
And to add to the fun, the grandmother had rescued an old threadbare quilt from an antique store, and wanted to make a pillow from it – so I cut out one block, with its sashing and used the pretty decorative hem from the white pillow cases for the back. The pillow is about 14″ and will be used in the nursery. So cute! I already keep my eyes peeled in antique stores for old quilts that need to be liberated – but I love this idea of finding a way to reuse them and give then new life! I’ve always been reluctant to cut into an old quilt – but why leave one all tattered in the closet, when I can cut out the good parts and revive them as a pillow or tote bag or stuffed animal or…
Lastly, a little monogram in one corner with the baby’s initials.
I hope the baby will cherish this little quilt as she grows up, and pass it along to her daughter or grand-daughter when the time comes.
Working on this project was quite inspiring – can’t wait to find some vintage or heirloom fabrics and quilts to make something else!