Friday, October 29, 2010

Caitlin's quilt revisited......for the bloggers quilt festival

Since this is one of my favourite quilts I thought I'd bring it out again and re-introduce it. Before I go on I just want to welcome anyone who is a first time visitor and I hope you enjoy what you see here and are getting inspired by all the other wonderful quilts showcased in this bloggers quilt festival.
This quilt was made for my youngest daughter Caitlin when she was about 8 years I think and she is now 11. When I asked what she wanted on her quilt she wasn't totally sure but flowers and lots of hearts are 2 things she did want. So I put my thinking cap on and decided to make a sampler type quilt and sketched a few ideas and pulled out favourite patterns  that I'd always wanted to try. I had no idea how the final layout was going to look like but just kept making blocks as the ideas emerged. I included a few of Caitlin's favourite things and also some scraps of fabrics from dresses and skirts etc.. I had made her. It took me 6 months to complete including lots of freehand handquilting of mostly swirls and of course lots of hearts. I enjoyed every moment of designing and making this quilt even the recall of my maths skills when I had to figure out the final layout of the blocks.
Here are some close-up photos of some of my favourite parts of the quilt:

A mother and baby bird with covered button detail on their feathers.......

The house block with yo-yo flowers and beaded centres. This block is taken from a Piecemakers Calender and I had always wanted to make it.

Caitlin loved the Felicity Wishes books at the time so here is Felicity and her blue bird. I added beads to her wings to give them a little sparkle.

Caitlin's friends as she likes to have a lot of friends around her.


Another bird with little stuffed hearts. She's an animal lover so birds seemed appropriate and I had always wanted to do this block which is also from a Piecemakers calender.

I think I made this block when I was trying to work out the layout and needed something to fill in a space plus I had these little flowers leftover from the other garden blocks. The green gingham fabric has served me well as it started off as a pair of dungarees then when they got too small I made it into a pinafore dress and now bits of it are gracing her quilt.

Another block from a Piecemakers calender and one that stretched my skills as I had to hand applique it and I don't really enjoy hand applique but I love how this block turned out. Lots of echo handquilting which makes these pretty butterflies puff and stand out.

At one stage of making this quilt I raided my Mother's button tin and had fun making these precious old buttons into flowers with a little beading.  And I couldn't resist adding the little beaded spider.

And finished off with the perfect coloured striped bias binding. I hope you enjoyed seeing one of my favourite quilts and don't forget you can get more quilting inspiration over here at Amy's Creative side.

37 comments:

Karen said...

Catherine that is just an awesome quilt. So many beautiful blocks, fabrics and stitching. Love the close up shots of the different blocks.

BubzRugz said...

A beautiful quilt - I really enjoyed reading about it and seeing the lovely detail..... what a treasure
Hugz

Rafael's Mum said...

Aaaaah... Caitlin's quilt... You know I love that one, such a lot of work and so beautifully executed! It's a treasure and rightly featured in the festival. Thanks for entering it so we can all have a closer look!

Shruti said...

Wow! Its a quilt fit for a princess!! So beautiful... The choice of fabric and design and the small elements are just too beautiful... Why dont you make a pattern for this one? It will help newbies like me to try our hand at it... Loved it...
Cheers
Shruti

Rene' said...

Catherine, what a beautiful quilt to share! I love hearing the story behind the blocks and seeing all the great details. I'm sure your daughter will treasure this always!

Deb said...

I LOVE this quilt! I really like the story behind the blocks and that you have made it so personal for Caitlin. My 9 year old is hovering behind me and has just put in her order for one like it!!

Leslie said...

this is so gorgeous and intricate. you made such a beautiful quilt

Ariane said...

This quilt is just gorgeous!!!! All the little details really add so much! You have one lucky daughter!!

Dana Gaffney said...

That quilt is so great, I love all the details. Your daughter will probably love it forever.

badlandsquilts said...

A family heirloom for sure! Wonderful!

Simply Sandy said...

Fantastic! Love all the details. Such a special quilt!

Sew Lovins said...

wow, love this quilt!

BJ said...

This is a darling quilt. Really pretty.

Pattilou said...

Oh, I loved each picture. The details you've added are amazing! This is surely to become a family heirloom. Thanks zillions for reintroducing it for us!

Jenny said...

you did so much lovely hand work on this one! wow, and such beautiful girly colors! she will have & love this one forever!!

Mary said...

Oh my goodness! This is so wonderful! I love the added embellishments...give such texture! What a lucky little girl to have this quilt. Thanks for sharing :)

Unknown said...

Wow Catherine. I love all those individual blocks using all those different techniques. the applique, the beading, the embroidery work, the designing of blocks, the fitting it all together like a puzzle. it's amazing and I can see why you love! you should be proud of it! it's a work of art!

Evelyn said...

Wow, what a beautiful one-of-a-kind quilt! So much inspiration there. I really love all the detailed pictures - thanks for showing them!

SheilaC said...

wOw! What a gorgeous quilt! I love all the little embellishments and details that you added. What a special treasure for your daughter.
SheilaC

Vicki @ DottyJane said...

This is so pretty! It's a little girl's dream quilt:)

Deborah said...

Lovely! What a special quilt!

Lois said...

Wow! That is a sweet quilt. What a great job. I love the happy, cheerful colors. Love Lois

Cecily said...

Wow, that is a beauty! I don't think I could pick a favorite block if I had to! Really lovely!

Lisa said...

OMG ... I can just see the love in this quilt. The detail is amazing and together it comes together to make an amazing quilt that she (and hopefully her children) will cherish over time!

XUE said...

This is sooooo beautiful ! I love all the blocks & especially love the 4 friends' block ! Lucky Caitlin to have such a talented Mom !

Claudia said...

I'm in love with your quilt! The details are amazing!

MegN said...

Such a beautiful quilt and what amazing detail work! Love the stripe binding!

Miri said...

Simply wonderful! Love all the extras...the yo-yo flowers, beading and the general happy look!

myBearpaw said...

This quilt is so lovely, Catherine! I love all the details - especially Caitlin's 'friends'! Thanks for sharing it with us!

by Daisy said...

OMG!!! Oh mu God, oh my God, oh my God! this is by far the most amazing quilt i have ever ssen. i love everything about it, all the details and the love you have put in every stitch. to me, this is the true essence of quilts. i wish that i could be as talented because i want to start a quilt for my daughter who will be born next march and how i wished it turned out half as beautiful as yours. you are my hero right now, you have no idea. (did i just make a fool of myself or what? couldn't help it!)

Carol said...

Absolutely gorgeous. Love all the little details.

Chris said...

All the details are fabulous. What a special heirloom!

Micki said...

THat is a gorgeous quilt! The detail is amazing. Where did you get the pattern?
Micki

Videa said...

Gosh Catherine this so beautiful so lovingly done such lovely squares. I feel this has to put away for a granddaughter one day it is a true heirloom well done

Cynthia said...

This quilt is so so cute! I love all the 3-D effects and embellishments! Darling quilt for a lucky girl!

Wendy said...

this quilt is absolutely stunning, what hours of work and love must have gone into this.

baukje said...

What a beautiful quilt !!! Very creative!

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