Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Custom Order: Monsters


Ta-da! Here it is, the monsters.  She asked for dark blue, light blue, red, orange, yellow, a hint of lime green, and some black and white.  I got her crib dimensions, asked a few questions, and here's what she's getting.  I hope it's what she had hoped for.
(I am so anxious about it actually.  It's kinda intimidating making something for someone you don't know.)


I put four monsters on the blanket, on the light blue fabric.  I didn't blanket stitch around the light blue as they are the "windows."  I used two orange fabrics (one pattern, one solid) and three dark blues (two patterns, one solid).  The patterns are all a bit geometric.  (and the orange monster does have pupils, they are light blue; they didn't photograph very well.)

 I did another pieced back, using fabrics from the front.  I like how the grid of quilting shows so well, and the different colors of thread from the contrasting blanket stitch.



I kept the monsters pretty classic, I'm not reinventing the wheel here.  And really, you can never go wrong with a cyclops.


Onto the bumper.  I have a sister-in-law who is especially crafty.  Not to say the others aren't, but she really is as crafty as my sister thinks I am.  Anyway, she made a bumper for her first a couple years ago and it was pretty much a never again experience.  I was a little intimidated, but I told myself that I sew more than she does and I would be okay.  I hoped. 
Well I essentially was, but I'm not eager to repeat this anytime soon.  It's just so long and skinny; it's not that easy to get in a hoop.  I think the real thing that got to me was the blanket stitching.  I'm pretty much resolved not to blanket stitch anything for years.  Also, if anyone hears me say the words "invisible thread," just go take it from my sewing room.
But, I do love how the bumper turned out.  I totally wish I had made my kids a bumper.  So bottom line, it was a tricky quilting process, but not horrendous, I'd make one for my sister.

I had originally planned the colored squares on front and back, but then the black and white started calling me.  I didn't want to inject that much black and white into someone's nursery without checking, so I asked Mom-to-be and she said black and white.  It looks fantastic!  I totally love the mental image of the classic b&w peeking through the bars and the monster colorfest inside the crib. 
I used colored fabric for the corner ties and black and white for the center ties of the long sides.  I didn't want to draw the eye to the center ties. 
The bumper is blanket stitched just like the blanket and has monsters on the light blue.  Each crib side has its own cute little monster.


It was delivered yesterday and is officially finished.  Now I can start restocking my poor little etsy shop. 

14 comments:

Lucy | Charm About You said...

Brilliant!! Love the bright colours and those monsters are scarily cute :)

Heather said...

I absolutely LOVE it! Thank you so so so much! :D

Audrie said...

Love it! Very colorful and cute for a very lucky baby.

Sandra :) said...

I saw your quilt @ Quilt Story and came for a peek - it's ADORABLE!!! What a fun and happy set - mom and baby will LOVE it! The monsters are cutie pies, the black and white binding adds a nice kick of colour, and the pieced back means double the fun - I think you did a fabulous job :)

I'm going to have a peek through your blog after supper to see what else you've come up with :D

Andrea said...

That beautiful idea! I love the design, colors congratulate you!!

Amber Goodman said...

All the monsters look great! I'm pretty sure my lack of sewing experience made sewing the bumper SO awful. I cried way too much over it, and broke too many needles. I knew you'd be able to do it though :) But really, like you said it'll be a "never again experience" for me.

Kim said...

The binding is the perfect finish to the sweet quilt.....I bet it gets lots of loving :0)

Happy Sewing

Ginette said...

SOOOOO cute!!! I love the little monsters!

Kat said...

These are the cutest monsters I've ever seen!

The Thompsons said...

Those monsters are seriously the cutest thing ever! I love it!

Foster said...

This is a darling quilt! you are very clever to put this together. Your recipient will love it!

Kristy QP said...

Fantastic quilt! So bright and colourful. I bet your customer will be thrilled to receive this!

M-R Charbonneau said...

This is awesome! I love those monsters -- they are so adorable! Thanks for linking up to TGIFF!

Mavi. said...

Muy gracioso y divertido. Es original.