or snuggle & snooze among them too.
This little play mat come snuggle quilt was such a joy to make & as much as I tell myself one day I will attempt free motion quilting the truth is I just can’t resist as much hand stitching as possible on quilts & adore the softness they bring.
A square(ish) piece of yarn dyed Essex linen in the denim colourway (i really like the textured look of the yarn dyes, you can see it better in this wip pic) with organic cotton clouds floating through. I love these prints & colours from Umbrella Prints & I love the name of the range too ‘elephants love water’ (and they really really do!.)
I appliqued the clouds in place by hand but the thought of needle turning all those cloudy puffy corners was a bit much even for this hand stitching addict, so I used a method similar to the dryer sheet method except I used some thin cotton instead of dryer sheets.
The flaps around the edge of the play mat (or maybe they are elephant ears…? or bits of cloud…? ) have hidden within them little bells that tinkle gently & there’s a little patchwork pillow with ribbon tags to twizzle & to rest a weary head on after all that playing . The flaps will also serve as handles to drag the mat around and there is a message stitched on the back of each one for the recipient but I won’t show those as these clouds haven’t floated off to their new home just yet….
notes:
Finished size – approx 40″ x 42 ”
Cloud fabrics – Elephants Love Water by Umbrella prints
Base cloth – yarn dyed essex linen (linen/cotton blend) by Robert Kaufman in denim
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{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
Super cute. And I’ll have to give that applique method a try. I did something similar with fusible a while back and it turned out a bit stiff for my liking. But this seems perfect.
I just used a bunch of the essex linen in denim, and it really is quite nice. Some kid is going to love it!
This is just adorable. I love the colors you chose, and the pattern is so perfectly baby and yet perfectly modern at the same time. Love it!
it is beautiful!
Oh Nova! This is gorgeous, you talented lady.
That essex linen is as scrumptious as your scrumptious design. AND I made your scrumptious lemony cake yesterday … there’s a theme here somewhere, I just know it …
So sweet and stylish.
It is beautiful Nova, love that you added bells that is a genius idea!!
EEEEPPPP! I love this! So so gorgeous. I want one all of my own right now. Such a wonderful idea to make the little cushion to go with too. I’m sure I totally need a taggie blanket…
Looks so ace nova….your stitching is perfect. X
Nova, it’s absolutely lovely!!! Too too special. Love all the ‘hidden extras’. Almost makes me want to have children….
That’s absolutely gorgeous! I’ve used the fusible-web version of that applique as well, and it really does give great results. the tags on the edges are such a cool idea – lucky recipient!
I think your quilt is just so lovely. The colours are so beautiful together, the bells, the soft deep grey, the plump clouds, the whimsical windy lines… I could go on & on! The pillow too. I really hope my memory (ruined by motherhood!) holds on to the colour combination as I’d love to make something similar myself one day (my ‘me’ time has also ruined by motherhood though, so I may be deluding myself!)
Gorgeous!
so beautiful! I love those fabrics together. and the little stuffed cloud, I want!!! :)
Too cute, love it!
It’s absolutely gorgeous Nova. Love xxx
Oh so cute, love the idea of the ‘ears’ and the stuffed cloud too!
I love it! ;p
Such a perfect use of these lovely fabrics!
What a sweet quilt and pillow. I am sure it will be well loved.
I need to applique some letters and I will try this! Yay! I had been puzzling over how to do it and so happy I stumbled across this blog before spendings hours researching and experimenting!
So sweet, Nova! The tabs sticking out are the absolute best. Well done!
This is so beautiful Nova :-)
The perfect quilt and pillow combo!
pretty pretty pretty. This has certainly given me some ideas for a quilt my daughter wants with rain, clouds and a sun peeking out! thank you.
Wow it’s so fantastic! The ELW colours sewn up together look fab. Lucky kiddo!
This is awesome! I love the idea of the bells in the little flaps :)
This sweet little quilt is the inspiration for a baby quilt I am making for a new one who’s about to arrive either tonight or tomorrow. I love the bells detail!
So cute! Now I wanna start a new quilt with the clouds and the raindrop quilting I did in the background of this quilt:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrosupialdesigns/5978506627/in/set-72157603666018739