My niece has already been learning how to sew, and when I showed her the "Awesome Ocean" pattern I had just bought (by Elizabeth Hartman, which I'm already using for the otter quilt), she was all in. On a weekend afternoon, my niece chose the colors and animals to make as we talked about contrasting fabrics. She loves bright, vivid colors, just like me!
As I mentioned in my last post, the animals are a LOT of piecing work. My niece helped me get all the pieces organized for the seahorse and even sewed some of them together while I continued cutting. Throughout the next few weeks, I sent her updated photos of the quilt as it developed. My goal was *just* to use the pattern for the animals and seaweed, and to piece everything together improvisationally.
The clownfish purposefully looks like Nemo.
I quilted the whole quilt in pebbles that grew in size towards the outer edges, mimicking bubbles. This was easy and quite quick to do (other pebble-quilting projects like "Burst" have nearly incapacitated me since they required so much work). I used 50 weight Aurifil #2860 (light emerald), a shade slightly darker than the background, so the thread color would show just a bit. I'm really pleased with the final look; it crinkled so nicely in the wash.
I really love that she chose to make the ocean green instead of blue. I think it adds such a unique look to the quilt. Plus, the backing is some beautiful Anna Maria Horner flannel that I had left over from my epic AMH medallion quilt - I had just enough! My niece agreed that the backing was perfect (I think it even looks a bit like sea plants - see below).
Hopefully her new baby sister loves it. Both of us presented the quilt at the baby shower last weekend! I neglected to get a picture of us together with the quilt, but if I do, I'll update this post with it. Also, of course, babies on quilts... I can't wait to meet my new niece.
After the otter quilt, I think I'll be done with animals on quilts for quite a while! ;) On to the next challenge.
Linking up to Needle and Thread Thursday, TGIFF, Crazy Mom Quilts.
What a fun quilt! And so great that your niece and your got to work on this together - she will love it just as much as her mom. P.S. Gotta love BIG circles, lol!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun to make this quilt with your niece. I have done that with mine, not for the same reason, and it was so much fun. I can’t wait to dive into that pattern - I have done Forrest Friends twice and just love it. So great to have this quilt redy for the shower!
ReplyDeleteThis is so darling and I absolutely love the story!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome collaboration! I love the colors she chose, and I hope she’ll continue to want to sew and quilt with you.
ReplyDeleteHow cute! I love that you collaborated on the colors and even some of the sewing. What a nice memory that she'll have of preparing for her new sister. And I agree, those Elizabeth Hartman animals are no joke!
ReplyDeleteI love your joint creation. What a happy memory for both of you!
ReplyDeleteLove, love, LOVE that your niece collaborated on this special quilt with you for the impending arrival!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet baby quilt, made extra special by having your niece help with the design and sewing. That's such a wonderful memory for her to have, and a great story for the baby to learn as she grows up.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! I love the improv about it and the colors <3
ReplyDeleteSuch a colorful quilt. So wonderful that you and your niece are working together. She will remember this forever!
ReplyDeleteGreat fun quilt! Isn't it fun to work with young sewers.
ReplyDeleteIt's an awesome quilt and what a great process.
ReplyDeleteAnother beauty, Jess. That would be a perfect baby quilt.
ReplyDeleteOK, this quilt is super sweet to start with, but the fact that your 10yo niece helped you design a quilt for her baby sister - what a special way to let her in on the anticipation and love-making.
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