Thursday, December 15, 2011

Monsters Squared and a Plan

Periodically, my in-laws tell me I could/should sell quilts.  I know somebody somewhere buys quilts, but I sure don't, I just look until I figure out the pattern and then go at it.  Anyway, seeing as I do love quilting and I only know so many people I can give them to, I decided to go ahead a give it a try.  So I opened up an etsy shop
  I figure I'll quilt for fun, to try out new things, and just because, and then list them on etsy and see if anything happens.  If nothing happens I already have a home picked out for my quilts.  They will be heading to Project Linus if they don't leave for somewhere else first. 

I've never made a quilt for anyone and no one before, it was a bit of a different experience.
It started out as just a bunch of squares, but as that's lacking in the pizzaz department, I added some monsters.  I did something different for each one; three eyes, bow tie, glasses, two heads, horns, that kind of thing.

I blanket stitched around all the applique stuff and then couldn't decide  how to quilt the squares.  I thought about a few different things, but nothing felt like it really went with the quilt.  I ended up blanket stitching in contrasting thread around all the patterned squares. 
I used my first ever striped binding and really had fun with that.  I liked that I was able to place the seams just right that the joins were hidden.  It was dorky fun.

And here's a sneak peek update of the one with all the pink rectangles.  It's destined for an elsewhere home, too.  It's about half way done, it had to wait while I made a Secret Quilt.  I'll show you that one soonish.

12 comments:

M-R Charbonneau said...

Oh, I LOVE those monsters, Amanda! They are so adorable. You have a great attention to detail. Thanks for linking up to TGIFF!

Lucy | Charm About You said...

This is so fun!! I LOVE those monsters - at first glance I thought they were printed on the fabric! I'm sure someone would love to have this :)
The blanket stitching is very cute!
Thank you for linking up to TGIFF! If you want to add a button to your post there's one here:
http://tgiffriday.blogspot.com/
Best of luck with Etsy!

tink's mom said...

The monsters are terrific. Great job with the blanket stitching too. Came together well.

Go-Go Kim said...

FABULOUS monsters!!!!!! Super FUN!!!!

kristyn said...

Wow that quilt is so fun!

Debbie said...

The monsters are adorable! Best of luck on Esty.

Amber Goodman said...

I am proud of you for starting an Etsy shop!!! And I totally want to hear about it when something sells. I am proud because I've been thinking about making random stuff and trying to sell on Etsy for a few years now, but still haven't. (Not that anything I make would be as cool as your quilts anyway)

I still love show Sam's quilt to people when they come over :)

Amber Goodman said...

I just noticed the new header - it looks great.

Kelli Fannin Quilts said...

I love your monster quilt.. Some little one is going to love it to pieces. I thought the monsters were printed on the fabric at first, too. Great job designing them--so cute! I am a new follower. Nice to *meet* you. :)

Heather said...

The monsters are adorable! I bet that one will sell. ;o)

I've been planning to open and etsy shop in the new year, so it's fun to see someone else going through that same thought process. You seem to have a great attitude about it. I wish you all kinds of luck!

Amanda Jean said...

such a bright, happy and FUN quilt! you do such a nice job! i love the blanket stitching around all the squares. such a great idea.

good luck with your etsy shop!

thanks for linking up to finish it up Friday!

Sandra :) said...

You are the QUEEN of monster quilts. I can't even tell you how cute I think this is! I'm so happy to have found your blog today - I think you do adorable projects, and now I *must* make a monster quilt. MUST MUST MUST. Fortunately I have 3 great-nepehws to sew for (and 2 more greats [one of each sex, YAY!] on the way in the spring) - I think old Auntie Sandra should start making monster quilts for each of them :) Can you imagine a girly and pink monster quilt?? YES!!