20 August, 2010

Nadine's Bookcase Quilt


With the last stitches going in this morning to the strain of Dinosaur Train and a hot mug of black tea by my side, this commission baby quilt is finally complete.

Made for an old book club friend - can you tell my inspiration? - to welcome her new baby girl. My instructions were simple: very bold, very bright, modern, and girly. We collaborated on the main fabric selection, but otherwise she left it up to me.

Although I've long been a fan of the Fun Quilts design that mimics Library books, and the subsequent one in The Modern Quilt Workshop, it was a design that I was never motivated to make. Perhaps because I felt it to be too popular, or the fact that it simply isn't my own? But when my friend asked me to make her a quilt it was the only design I could see myself doing.

With her request for a bold fabric on the quilt though, I had to rejig the concept. Instead of bright/dark on a light background, I went for low volume fabrics for the books on a wild background. It makes me think of a bookshelf backed with wallpaper. 

The quilt measures at a slightly odd baby size - 40 by 60. But I felt the size was necessary for the overall effect I wanted. And to show off that amazing fabric. but it will transition well to a toddler bed and a child hood nap quilt. I do hope her sweet girl cherishes this for a long time.

Commission quilting is still new to me and I did learn a valuable lesson here: pick an easy quilting pattern! A fellow modern quilter at the Calgary Modern Quilt Guild helped me decide on a pattern of overlapping rectangles. I loved it and it really is perfect for this piece. But boy, was it time-consuming.  All that stopping and started! Worth it for the overall look, but not smart from a financial perspective.


When we were picking fabrics I had three choices for the front. We both loved the final choice the best, but the 2nd and 3rd place choices were also well loved. Needless to say, I decided to showcase them on the back. Two Kaffe Fassets with that strip of cherished Denyse Schmidt barbells. 

And now the quilt is washed and packed up, ready for it's journey across the country.

PS  If you are joining me from Amy's Creative Side, welcome! I was honoured to be nominated for a Blogger's Quilt Festival Feature.

21 comments:

Brenda said...

very fun, and a fresh take on the bookshelf idea. congrats!

Katie B said...

I love your bookcase quilt! I really like how the bookcase is simple and a little bit subtle.

I saw your feature on Amy's blog this morning! Very cool.

jacquie said...

love it...great how you made it "you"!

Amanda Jean said...

it's a fantastic quilt! the bold background is a surprise, but you sure made it work! love the quilting technique you used, even if it took awhile.

Craft-aholic said...

This is the coolest stacked books quilt I have seen. I love the "wallpaper" concept!

Unknown said...

I love your version of this quilt! The bold floral is beautiful, and so is your quilting :)

Esch House Quilts said...

I have loved this idea from Fun Quilts for a long time too. You did a wonderful job of making it your own. I'm sure the mom and new baby will love it for years!

elle said...

It turned out well, Cheryl.

Anonymous said...

OOHMIGOODNESS! I'm in LOVE with your quilt! If there's one thing that takes up more of my time than sewing, it's reading. This is such a beautiful way to showcase a love of reading. Job well done!

Victoria said...

Cheryl, you hit this one out of the ball park... I just adore it! The fabrics are fabulous, and the whole thing makes me smile and feel happy all over! What a lucky little baby girl to receive this... I am sure it will be greatly loved and cherished for years to come. (Just picture her as a 10 year old girl, snuggled up in this quilt which she has always known, reading a stack of her favorite books!)

And congrats on the feature... off to see it now!

Suzanne said...

All those polka dots make me smile. I can really appreciate the lesson you shared about the quilting, though I do agree, it worked so well on this quilt.

Corinnea said...

Beautiful quilt!

Unknown said...

Lord have mercy...I love that quilt!!!!! You are just beyond talented.

mjb said...

So fun!

John'aLee said...

Oh that quilt is so cute. I want one!! I love books...my favorite place to go is Barnes or Borders.
Keep up the great work!

Unknown said...

I love it! Excellent job!

brown robin said...

exquisite my sweet Canadian friend.

Samantha said...

oh, my goodness, i love this. Am wishing *I* was Nadine...

Coisas da Laura said...

Soooo cute!!!! I love it!!!

stacie said...

Cheryl, I love this bookshelf quilt! What a great idea & beautiful work. Would you like to be my artist of the week next Wed on my blog? Let me know, my email is staciejewelry@yahoo.com

Thanks!

Farmgirl Susan said...

I love it - both front and back! :)